Student Comments for Editing Fiction

Instructor: Jeanne Marie Leach   Students of this course said: These courses are very well worth it for both learning and self-evaluation of one's existing knowledge. I've greatly appreciated Jeanne's work and the class camaraderie.  --C. L. Dyck   Thank you for your specific comments on this last assignment. I felt like I was jumping off a cliff, but decided to jump anyway because I knew you would provide the guidance I needed. This assignment gave me the opportunity to try out my new understanding of editing fiction in a safe environment. When and if I face my first editing assignment it will not be nearly as scary, thanks to you. Thanks to everyone who participated in this class. One of the best learning opportunities for me was reading everyone’s comments after I completed my assignments. I will miss our little “community”!  --Ruth Snyder   I wrote a huge letter to a client. Thanks to this class, I stayed positive, gave constructive feedback, encouraged my client, answered tough questions, gave creative license, explained briefly and clearly the cool psychology of why a significant event is required to bring her character to Christ, and asked her to consider changing our editing agreement to what will better meet her needs. I would not have done it as well without Jeanne's classes. When I came to Jeanne's Editing Fiction classes, I was straightforward and often curt, even though my heart is for people. Through lessons and homework, everyone reminded me how important it is to uplift people, especially when words can be difficult to hear, as is often the case when giving edits to clients. I used to know how to do that and had forgotten. Thank you for helping me restore what I hadn't realized I'd lost.  --Brandy Brow   Jeanne Leach's Editing Fiction Course is beneficial for editors of any experience level. Jeanne's thorough instruction and gentle correction make her the perfect instructor for all sensitivities. I appreciated participating in a refresher course which was salted with stimulating exercises and peppered with up-to-date information. -- Linda Yezak   Since I've written only non-fiction for the last thirty years, the Editing Fiction class taught by Jeanne Leach was a step of faith for me. I was not disappointed. Not only did Jeanne teach us the elements of fiction and how to edit them, she encouraged each student according to their individual bent. Her uplifting remarks coupled with necessary corrections blended to make the perfect teaching style. Jeanne is a gifted teacher as well as a warm people person. I highly recommend this class to beginning and seasoned editors alike.  -- Jeanette Levellie   Thank you, thank you, thank you for the terrific lessons. The instructor was great in encouraging us and teaching. I can't wait to go through my WIP and start applying the lessons. (I'm so excited I could just jump out of my skin!) -- Tina Dearmont   I think the instructor did an excellent job putting the class together. She was always positive, never giving a negative comment to anyone’s homework. Great job. -- Renee Criswell   I learned a great deal and the exercises really helped solidify the lessons being taught. The instructor put so much work into critiquing each assignment. I don't think I've ever met anyone so encouraging and helpful. It's been a privilege to study under her. -- Caroleah Johnson   Thanks for a great class. This is my third PEN course and by far the best for meeting my needs. The instructor’s comments were good and she answered my questions clearly. I am very comfortable editing nonfiction. I am comfortable judging fiction. Editing fiction was a bit intimidating for me, yet I wanted to learn how to do so. I've read several books on writing fiction, but editing is a bit different. So I thought taking this course would be helpful. In the midst of the course I was presented with a great opportunity to edit a fiction manuscript. Had I not started the course, I would've turned it down flat. But I did a sample edit for the author and she loved it. We have since bartered a wonderful deal we are both happy with. Thank you for boosting my knowledge and confidence! -- Erin K. Brown   The class was professional, well organized, and thorough. I've taken several online courses from a variety of sources on several topics, and this was by far the highest quality I've experienced. Thanks for helping me learn. -- Tracy Ruckman   Thank you so much for teaching this course.  I appreciate how the instructor positively replied to everyone's homework assignment. -- Marilyn Eudaly   I prefer fiction.and don't deal with nonfiction at all, so it is great to have a course targeting fiction only. I really enjoyed taking part in this. Thank you so much for these wonderful lessons. -- Vennessa Ng   I enjoyed this course thoroughly.  -- Duncan Prescott    Jeanne Marie's Editing Fiction courses were fantastic! She is one of those dear people who really walks the walk (unlike those who just talk the talk) She is a great teacher and such a wonderful testimony through the work she does, teaching, praying, caring and sharing. It was a blessing to be in her classes. I think we all just fell in love with her. -- Ann Knowles