“Rewriting is the essence of writing well: it’s where the game is won or lost.”
— William Zinsser
Elevate your narrative nonfiction to its fullest potential in this immersive masterclass on editing and revising. Led by New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Aalto, this course is designed for writers who seek to refine their craft and transform their drafts into polished, publication-ready works. With her wealth of experience in storytelling, editing, and teaching, Kathryn offers invaluable insights into the art and discipline of revision—an essential skill for every writer aiming to create compelling and credible narratives.
What separates new and experienced writers is the willingness to return to sculpt, again and again and again. As Harry Guinness wrote in his The New York Times article “How To Edit Your Own Writing,” “The time you put into editing, reworking and refining turns your first draft into a second — and then into a third and, if you keep at it, eventually something great. The biggest mistake you can make as a writer is to assume that what you wrote the first time through was good enough.”
Topics Covered:
- The Role of Revision in Narrative Nonfiction:
Discover how the revision process enhances clarity, deepens meaning, and strengthens the connection between the writer and the reader. Learn to see your first draft not as an end product but as a foundation for something extraordinary. - Approaching Revision with Purpose:
Understand stages of revision, from global structural edits to fine-tuning sentence-level details. Gain tools to assess your work objectively and tackle common challenges, such as eliminating redundancy, maintaining factual integrity, and sharpening your narrative arc. - Refining Voice and Style:
Explore techniques to enhance your narrative voice, create rhythm in your prose, and develop a cohesive tone that resonates with your audience. Learn how to balance the creative elements of storytelling with the factual demands of nonfiction. - Strengthening the Core Elements of Your Story:
Dive into character development, scene-setting, and pacing. Kathryn will teach you how to amplify emotional resonance and ensure that every detail supports the overall theme and purpose of your narrative. - Polishing for Precision and Impact:
Understand the art of line editing to remove clutter, tighten language, and enhance readability. Learn to identify unnecessary tangents and ensure every word contributes to the story’s integrity and power. - Fact-Checking and Ethical Considerations:
Learn the importance of verifying sources, respecting intellectual property, and maintaining transparency in your work. Kathryn will provide guidance on how to ensure your nonfiction is both truthful and engaging. - Developing a Productive Editing Routine:
Discover strategies for staying motivated and focused during the revision process. Learn to embrace feedback and collaborate with editors, beta readers, and peers to refine your manuscript.
Course Structure:
Kathryn’s masterclasses are fun, lively, and educational — a perfect blend of interactive lectures, engaging discussion, and practical workshop. Participants will have opportunities to share their projects, engage directly with others from around the world, and participate in live editing sessions where Kathryn demonstrates techniques using real-world examples.
Who Should Attend:
This course is ideal for both fiction and narrative nonfiction writers at any stage of their journey—whether you’re working on a first draft or polishing a completed manuscript. It’s especially beneficial for writers seeking to improve their revision process and elevate their work to a professional standard.
What You’ll Take Away:
- A deeper understanding of the editing and revision process.
- Practical tools and techniques for refining your writing.
- A clearer vision for your narrative nonfiction project.
- Confidence in your ability to create stories that resonate with readers and meet the highest standards of the genre.
Timing and Tuition:
📅 Time: 3:00–5:30 PM GMT, Saturday, Jan 4, 2025
📍 Format: Live Online via Zoom (Recording Available)
💷 Tuition: £60 (includes workbook: The Researcher’s Toolbox: Essential Skills for Narrative Nonfiction Writers by Kathryn Aalto)
Endorsements:
Kathryn Aalto is a world-class teacher. I had 30 years’ experience as a journalist and copywriter, but I was a novice in narrative non fiction. Kathryn taught me how to write, guiding me on a journey of discovery, revealing the secrets of sensory writing, bringing filmic vividness to my descriptions of the world around me and uncovering the inner landscapes of the mind. I will be forever grateful for her inspirational teaching and the support of the remarkable writing communities she curates, from whom I have received invaluable encouragement and among whom I have made enduring friendships.” — Gary F., Rutland, England
“Recently I completed Kathryn Aalto’s Memoir and Life Writing Level 1 course. Kathryn is a gifted communicator. Numerous beta readers, intimately familiar for decades with my writing, have mentioned finding deeper, more exciting levels of my storytelling ability since I studied with the extraordinary Ms. Aalto. I have already enrolled in Level 2 Memoir and Life Writing. Her writing course is, bar none, the best value for money of any writing course I have ever taken, either online or in person.” — Bonnie B. L., Mobile, Alabama
“After six months of working with Kathryn–which is a bit like entering the space of a handwritten letter, what with her sharp aesthetic sense, far-ranging intelligence, wit, and curiosity–I’ve made tangible progress on an unwieldy, long-form project I was struggling to articulate. I came to her Memoir and Life Writing class for accountability, and came away having experienced the kind of support, writing insight, and real feeling of friendship that can be difficult to find in a workshop environment. Kathryn fostered a warm, charming atmosphere in class (a real feat online), allowing for life-long connections to develop among our group of writers. She cares about the arc of her student’s writing lives–a form of attention that encourages artistic growth and positive risk-taking. She not only brought her years of writing and publishing experience to class and to our bi-monthly writing assignments (her personal feedback, often handwritten, is invaluable), she also brought her unique perspective. Writer-gardener-historians are, I think, particularly adept at imagining the possibilities for a piece, no matter your subject. Kathryn pushed me to dig deeper, moving my writing in new directions. No matter where one is in their writing life, working with Kathryn will be an experience of profound joy, insight, and artistic deepening.“ — Veronica, Portland, Oregon
Explore Kathryn Aalto’s other writing masterclasses, where creativity meets craft. From shaping compelling narratives to refining your voice, these courses offer writers of all levels the tools, techniques, and inspiration to elevate their storytelling. Learn more here.