Ready to captivate readers, write great stories and
attract the attention of agents and publishers?

WRITING GREAT DIALOGUE is a detailed, comprehensive, online master class
presented by award-winning novelist and writing teacher, Joan Dempsey.

Simple lessons with robust content and engaging assignments are designed to help
you master the skill of writing great dialogue.

Mastering dialogue is the fastest, most powerful way
to improve your manuscript.

IS WRITING GREAT DIALOGUE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Take this course if ...

• You love your characters (or your real people) but don't yet feel like they've come fully to life;
• Your characters (or people) all sound exactly the same;
• You love writing dialogue but aren't wild about your results;
• You dread writing dialogue and want to start enjoying it;
• Your beta-readers say your characters (or people) seem flat or lifeless;
• You want to feel confident about what your characters say and how (and when) they say it;
• You're not sure how much dialogue is too much and how much isn't enough.

The scope of this online course is laser-focused on one thing only:
making sure you master the art and craft of writing great dialogue.

YOUR GUIDE FOR THIS CLASS: JOAN DEMPSEY, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

7 Comprehensive Modules  |  2 Bonus Modules  |  42 Targeted Lessons

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL CURRICULUM AT A GLANCE 

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

If you are a writer of fiction or creative non-fiction, are serious about becoming the best creative
writer you can possibly be, and are excited about applying yourself so you can learn everything
there is to know about writing great dialogue, this course is for you.

If you like to learn online, at your own pace, in your own time and in your own way with
participants from all over the world, this course is for you.

 

WHO IS THIS COURSE NOT FOR?

If you believe your dialogue skills are already polished, or you aren't truly hungry to learn as
much as you can about the craft of writing, or if you're writing something other than fiction or
creative non-fiction, this course isn't for you.

If you prefer to learn in a physical classroom rather than online, and want your class to be on a
set schedule with all other students physically present when you are, then this course isn't for you.
 

THREE PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Where does the course take place and when does it begin?

  The course takes place entirely online and can be accessed from a desktop computer,
  laptop, tablet or phone. Once you enroll, you can start immediately on the day the class
  opens, or whenever it’s convenient for you. Nothing is on a set schedule, and you have
  lifetime access, so start whenever you wish and proceed at your own pace.

• Do I have to participate at specifically scheduled times?

  No, you don’t! The course is completely asynchronous, which means you can participate
  at any time you wish, when it’s convenient for you! No worries about scheduling, or
  living in different time zones. You have access to the full course at all times, and there’s
  no end date, so come on back whenever you wish.

• How long do I have to complete the course?

  As long as you’d like. Work whenever you wish, whether two in the morning or one
  in the afternoon. It’s entirely up to you. You’ll have lifetime access to the course, so
  you can revisit the content at any time.

• Do I have to complete the assignments?

  It’s entirely up to you. The proven way to truly master your learning, however, is for
  you to apply what you’re learning by completing the assignments. If you don’t, you’re
  short-changing yourself. The assignments have been specifically designed with your
  learning in mind—complete them and you’ll master new skills, leave them out and
  you won’t. It’s that simple.

• Who facilitates the course?

  I, Joan Dempsey, am your guide. I’m an award-winning author and writing teacher
  with advanced degrees in both from Antioch University Los Angeles. I love working
  with writers and I’ll be with you every step of the way during your course.

• When can I interact with Joan?

  I will always be monitoring your progress, commenting when I can on your work in
  the comments section, and be available via e-mail to respond your questions,
  comments, or suggestions. I’m on US Eastern time and will be checking in numerous
  times a day, Monday through Thursday, to see what you’re up to. (Friday I focus
  entirely on my own writing.)

• I'm not that computer savvy - is the course hard to navigate?

  No. Ruzuku has designed an online learning environment that’s streamlined and
  simple to navigate. Ruzuku has helpful and friendly online support, and I can also
  help if you run into trouble. Complicated tech stuff can be frustrating, so the course
  esign is deliberately simple. So far all participants have easily managed. That said,
  if you are not adept at all with email and the internet, you might find it difficult to
  learn online.

• Is the course accessible to people of all abilities?

  Mostly, yes. I do my best to make sure there are both audible and visual options
  available for every lesson. Videos have closed captions, text has audio download
  options, and transcripts of each lesson are included. If you are visually challenged,
  you’ll need to use your own methods for accessing my emails and the comments
  within the Ruzuku system, since I have no way to provide audio versions for those
  things, much as I’d like to. I’m always open to suggestions about how to improve
  accessibility.

• Will I interact with other participants?

  You bet! Learning from each other is as important a part of your learning experience
  as working with me. There are a variety of settings for getting notified about activity
  n the course so you won’t miss a thing.

  That said, some of the courses end up with hundreds of participants, and in that case
  I deliberately design the curriculum so you can participate without getting
  overwhelmed by overcrowded discussions. I will read every comment, but you can
  choose how or if you want to participate in discussions. Nothing worse that feeling
  deluged, so I make sure you don’t have to experience that.

  You have total control over how you get notified about new activity in the course,
  too, so you can control how much e-mail you receive. No sense crashing your in-box!

• I'm Not Sure I Can Take the Course Right Now—Will You Offer It Again?

  I never know exactly when I’ll be offering the course again, or if I’ll be offering it
  again. I work alone and make my own schedule, so there are times when I’ll set my
  teaching work aside to focus on my own writing, and times when I want to do
  something new and I develop a new online class and ditch the older ones. That means
  I can’t predict if or when the course will become available again. If you’re okay with
  the risk of missing out, don’t enroll now.

  But if you don’t want to miss out, sign up right now and don’t begin the class until
  you’re good and ready, a week from now or six months from now; that’s the beauty
  of “lifetime access!” If you’re too busy right now, sign up anyway and start when it
  makes the most sense for you. You’ll still get every single benefit from the class, and
  I’ll still provide you with personalized feedback on your work.

• I'm on a limited income - do you have scholarships or discounts?

  I don’t. The price of this course has been set to be as reasonable for you as possible
  while still allowing me fair compensation (I’m a sole proprietor and a working writer).
  Compared to similar online courses, my prices are more than fair. I offer payment
  plan options, which allow you to pay reasonable installments over time (great for
  cash flow issues).

• What if I don't like the class? Can I get my money back?

  Yes! If, within 15 days of paying tuition for the class, you discover it’s not for you,
  simply email me (joan@joandempsey.com) to request a refund and I’ll give you
  100% of your money back, no questions asked.

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