Witchcraft 101 and 102 Class Coming Right Up!

We interrupt the Cold That Would Not Die for this brief announcement:

Up next at the Witchcraft and Writing Workshop Loop
WITCHCRAFT 101 and 102

When I gave these classes last year, I did them as separate workshops, for $15 each. But since virtually everyone who took 101 also took 102, I thought I'd cut people a break this year and I'm giving them together as only one class, for the bargain price of $25. *pauses for cheering to die down*

These classes are designed to give basic info on the practice of modern witchcraft, and then to delve a little more deeply into that practice. They're great for anyone who is considering following a Pagan path, or who has just started out and would like to learn more. It is also perfect for writers who have witches (whether realistic modern witches or paranormal "magic" witches) as characters, and need to find out how to make them more realistic. If you are just curious, that's okay too.

The classes start next Monday, the 25th and run for 5 days, through March 1st. Sign-up closes Sunday the 24th at 6 PM EST, so sign up now! Register for the classes 

You can also still register for the ongoing "Wheel of the Year" class that covers all the Sabbats (holidays) in the Pagan year. The next one up is Spring Equinox, otherwise known as Ostara. Find out where Easter eggs really came from :-) This class will be given on a special loop, and will be taught by both me and the fabulous Heather Long. All the information will be available until the end of the year, so if you missed the first class, you can still catch up. The ongoing workshop is $40 for the entire year (with 8 Sabbats, that's only $5 a class!) with an information-packed post for each holiday that includes the basics, a ritual, and even a recipe or two.  

Whether or not you are interested in taking the classes, I'd really appreciate anything you can do to spread the word. And if you took the 101 and/or 102 class last year, what did you think? Was it fun? Informative? Turn you into a toad? (Gee, I hope not.)

We now return you to our regularly scheduled Cold From Hell, which we hope is gone by next week.

Nag, Nag, Nag...a Few Gentle Reminders

I've decided to make Tuesdays "Nag My Readers Day." No? How about "Blatant Self-Promo Day"? Otherwise known as "Remind me not to go to Deborah's blog on Tuesdays Day" (cough). Don't worry too much though--I'll probably have forgotten the plan by next Tuesday.

Today, I just wanted to remind you that my paranormal romance ebook is still available at Amazon for the low, low price of $2.99 -- tell all your friends. And maybe the mailman, your manicurist, and strangers you accost on the streets. Really, I'm not proud. (And the sales so far have been...kind of disappointing, so a few new ones would REALLY cheer this author up.)
http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Ever-Way-You-ebook/dp/B006HWZPGO
You can also find the book in Nook form here:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witch-ever-way-you-can-deborah-blake/1108034353?ean=2940013854659

More importantly, registration for the upcoming "Spells & Spell Casting" class over at the new workshop loop closes at 6 PM this coming Sunday, so if you are interesting in taking part in the class--suitable for both witches and authors writing witch characters--you only have a few days left to sign up here:
http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/

I will now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...er...Tuesday. Hope it is a great one!

Workshop #2 Spells and Spell Casting

As many of you know, I have started giving witchcraft (and a few writing) classes on my new workshop loop. The first class, Intro to Modern Witchcraft, premiered last month and was a huge success. Many of the folks who took that one immediately signed up for the next one, which means I must be doing something right :-)

The next class up is "Spells and Spell Casting," and it is aimed at those who want to know how to write and cast spells, cast them better, or learn the basics so that a character can cast them. (For the writers in the gang.)

Here is the info, and a link to sign up, should you be interested. I hope to see you there!

Witchcraft Workshop #2

Spells & Spell Casting

For: Those with a basic knowledge of the practice of Witchcraft who wish to learn how to write and cast spells; authors who want to accurately portray spell casting in their books
Time: 3 days

Cost: $15

Date: February 27-29
Optional Texts: EVERYDAY WITCH A TO Z SPELLBOOK

Class Outline

Day One: Spells—The Witch’s Power Tool

• What is a spell?
• What are the rules of spell casting? Can you really turn someone into a newt?
• To cast, or not to cast, that is the question…
• Why create your own spell?

Day Two: Pre-Casting Preparation

• Setting a goal
• Choose your “ingredients”
• Writing the spell
• A note for authors

Day Three: Casting the Perfect Spell

• Focus, Will & Belief
• Creating safe and sacred space
• Casting the spell
• After casting—be silent

Q & A Day Four

As always, the classes will be given on a special workshop loop available only to those who have signed up. It doesn't matter which time zone (or even country) you live in, since I will post the lessons in the morning each day, then come back periodically to answer questions and respond to comments. Any extra questions can be asked the day after the last lesson is posted. The book listed is the one of mine that will be most useful both before and after the class, but you don't need to have it to take the workshop.

Here is the link to sign up, should you wish to: http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/

Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author class!

Hey all you writers out there!

It's that time again--I am giving my "The Real Witch: Witchcraft for the Paranormal Author" online writing class over at the Low Country RWA loop. It is only $16 and you don't have to be a member of LC or RWA to take it. This has been my most popular class (and was the one that prompted people to ask me to start the Creativity Cauldron loop for paranormal writers).

I hope you'll join me!

Go here to register or get more information:

http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/

And pass the word to all your writer friends who might be interested :-)

I'm guest blogging!

Check out my guest blog at http://www.textnoveldivas.com and find out how working on my latest novel led to the cool new online class I'm giving next month!

Writing class has started

Today was the first day of my online writing class, Witchcraft for Paranormal Authors (that is to say, those authors who write paranormals...not actual paranormal authors).

So far, so good.

I actually posted the first lesson (an intro to me and the class) late last night, because I had a REALLY early meeting before work this morning. But even before then, lots of the class participants had signed on and introduced themselves. This is great, because one of the challenges of online classes is that one often gets lots of "lurkers" (who just read all the lessons but don't actively take part). This isn't a bad thing, necessarily--I've taken a few online classes myself [which is actually how I got sucked into giving this one, if fact], and sometimes I just don't have time to be an active participant.

But it is great that most of the folks taking the class are already excited and ready to jump in and get going.

No pressure :-)

I also found out from one of the organizers from www.lowcountryrwa.com where the course is given that my class has a higher enrollment than any they've given in quite a while. Wow. How cool is that?

So for the moment, I am cautiously optimistic about the way the class is shaping up--although also mildly freaked out by how much time it is already taken up, and that's BEFORE we get to the assignments I'll have to respond to. Wait, isn't this why I got out of regular teaching?

I'll keep ya posted. Wish me luck.

Teacher Deb

Giving an Online Class for Paranormal Authors

**Permission to repost** (Pretty please!!!!)

Online workshop
October 6th-29th
Cost $16.00
Given by Deborah Blake, author of 5 books on Witchcraft (Llewellyn Worldwide) and writer of Paranormal Romance
FMI: http://lowcountryrwa.com/online-workshops/

Witches are the new hot character in Paranormal Romance. (According to RT Book Reviews, October 2009 issue!)Popular authors who write using witches include Yasmine Galenorn, Candace Havens, Linda Wisdom, Kim Harrison, Annette Blair, and Anya Bast! If you're writing Paranormal Romance featuring witches, this class will help you get it right.

October 2009 — The Real Witch: Witchcraft Basics for the Paranormal Author
Presented by Deborah Blake
Dates: October 6-29
Deadline: October 4

Course Description:
Have you ever wondered about the differences between historical witches and modern-day Wiccans? Are you curious about familiars? How do you create a witch character for fiction? Deborah Blake can answer these questions and many more with her class about witchcraft and creating a character practicing the magical arts. You will learn how to create witch characters for different genres including Chick Lit and Paranormal. You will learn how to create a witch with real strengths and weaknesses. You will learn the basics of Wicca and spell casting. You will learn some of the historical views on familiars. You will learn how to write scenes in which your character practices magic and how the character would create a spell. You may not be allowed to turn an agent into a toad, but you are allowed to create a great character for your book!

Instructor Bio:
Deborah Blake is a Wiccan High Priestess who has led her own group, Blue Moon Circle, since 2004. She is the author of Circle, Coven & Grove: A Year of Magickal Practice (Llewellyn 2007), Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Inspirational Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft (Llewellyn 2008) and The Goddess is in the Details: Wisdom for the Everyday Witch (Llewellyn 2009). She took third prize in the Pagan Fiction Award contest and her short story “Dead and (Mostly) Gone” was published in the Anthology of Pagan Fiction: 13 Prize Winning Tales (2008). She is currently working on a novel featuring a Witch as a protagonist. Deborah lives in upstate New York in a 100 year old farmhouse, where her activities both magickal and mundane are supervised by her five cats.