How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline from edX

Have you always wanted to write a novel? Have you started a novel only to run out of steam halfway through? Led by international best-selling authors and professors from The University of British Columbia’s world-renowned Creative Writing MFA program, this is part of a series of courses designed to take your novel from concept to completion.

Outlining is a crucial step in the novel writing process, one that fuels creativity and prepares the writer to stay on track and avoid common pitfalls. Through hands-on weekly exercises with a focus on craft and process, as well as insights from the real-world practices of accomplished authors, this course explores the core elements of fiction writing necessary to build an outline. You will learn the fundamentals of character development, world-building and the basics of storytelling architecture. You'll work intensively on your own creative project and hone your outline through discussion with fellow writers. Faculty will be available to answer learner questions during a weekly Q&A podcast.

In the tradition of the UBC MFA program, this course draws on the work habits of established authors to help writers move quickly toward creating a blueprint for a successful draft. Whether you’re seeking literary fame or working on a project to share with family and friends, this course offers the tools and skills necessary to plan a novel others will be excited to read.

The course is recommended for professional and aspiring writers, writing groups, participants in NaNoWriMo, teachers and anyone who has ever dreamed of writing a novel.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan
The dynamics of how character and conflict intersect
How to build a story using the architecture of story structure

An overview of common story problems and weaknesses
How to advance from outlining to writing a draft

The elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan
The dynamics of how character and conflict intersect
How to build a story using the architecture of story structure
An overview of common story problems and weaknesses
How to advance from outlining to writing a draft

Syllabus

WEEK BY WEEK BREAKDOWN

Every Week

Students will watch instructor videos, interviews with authors and readings. Each week there is at least one assignment, regular group discussion topics and instructor feedback in the form of a question & answer podcast.

Week 1: Getting Started

Introduction to the course.

Writing as layers of decision-making. What outlines can look like (narrative, point form, pictorial, etc.).

What an opening can accomplish: first sentence, first paragraph, first page.

Assignment: learners will write three versions of the first page of their novels. We’ll provide a self-evaluation rubric.

Week 2: Character and World-Building

How to build character. What are the main elements that will keep a reader’s interest in a character for the length of an entire novel?

Conflict and antagonism. Without conflict a story has no forward momentum. We’ll discuss the three levels of antagonism that your protagonist should face.

World-building. Whether the learner is working on science fiction, historical fiction, or contemporary literary fiction, creating a rich, vivid, and credible world will be key to holding the reader’s interest.

Assignment: Who is your protagonist? What do they yearn for? What are the assorted levels of antagonism? What genre are you writing? What are the rules of your world?

Week 3: The Big Architecture: Story and Structure

We’ll apply the lessons of character to an understanding of the motion of story. Last week we sketched our character; this week we’ll animate that character.

The internal journey and its accompanying concepts: belief systems, and making the internal and external stories work in tandem.

Transformation of character, and the analysis of various kinds of structure (forwards, backwards, spiral, etc.) with concrete examples.

Assignment: Write a 250-300 word outline of your novel in narrative format.

Week 4: Three-Act Structure and Scene Design

Scene design in depth: the components of a scene, scene analysis tools, deconstructing and rewriting scenes.

The three-act structure, from screenplay to novel.

Assignment: Write out scene analysis cards for the scenes in your novel. For discussion, post a breakdown of one scene which you found particularly challenging.

Week 5: Troubleshooting Common Problems

Common problems in Acts II and III. Structural analysis tools and how to use them.

The relationship between reading and writing.

Assignment: Provide a structural analysis of a book similar to the one you’re thinking of writing.

Week 6: The Transition to Writing

Endings and how to get there.

Producing a workable writing plan that fits your life and schedule.

Dealing with writer’s block and procrastination.

How to work from the outline, and how to deal with setbacks.

Treating writing like a job.

Assignment: Learners will finish sketching out their 2nd and 3rd acts, scene by scene.

Final task: create a detailed writing plan, accounting for all the time you’ll need to write the novel as you’ve envisioned it.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a detailed and comprehensive outline for a novel, which is useful for understanding how it will unfold

Offers a deep understanding of how characters and conflict intersect in a powerful and engaging way

Taught by international best-selling authors and professors, providing learners with a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights

Focuses on the three-act structure and provides scene design, which are essential elements for crafting a compelling narrative

Provides analysis tools for structure and scene analysis, which are helpful for identifying and resolving common problems in writing

Examines the relationship between reading and writing, which is important for developing critical thinking and improving writing skills

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline with these activities:

Read "On Writing" by Stephen King

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Understand the principles of writing from a master of the craft, focusing on the importance of craft, character development, and storytelling techniques.

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Purchase and read the book "On Writing" by Stephen King.
Take notes on key concepts discussed in the book.
Reflect on how these concepts apply to your own writing.

Develop a Detailed Outline

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Create a comprehensive outline that maps out the key events, characters, and structure of your novel, ensuring a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Browse courses on Story Structure

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Identify the major plot points of your novel.
Develop character profiles and establish their relationships to the plot.
Organize the plot into a clear structure with a beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Add details and subplots to enrich the story and keep readers engaged.
Review and refine your outline until it is clear, concise, and comprehensive.

Mastering Scene Design

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Learn the principles of scene design, including how to build tension, create conflict, and move the plot forward effectively, pacing, and dialogue.

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Watch the video lectures on scene design.
Analyze scenes from published novels and identify their components.
Practice writing short scenes that meet the criteria of the lesson.
Get feedback on your writing from peers or the instructor.

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Troubleshooting Common Problems

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Identify and address common problems in novel writing, such as weak characterization, plot holes, and pacing issues, strengthening your writing and avoiding pitfalls.

Browse courses on Troubleshooting

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Review the common writing problems discussed in the course materials.
Identify areas in your own writing where you may encounter these problems.
Develop strategies to address and overcome these problems.

Peer Critique Workshop

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Receive constructive feedback from peers on your writing, identify strengths and weaknesses, and learn from other perspectives.

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Write a section or chapter of your novel.
Share your writing with a peer or group of peers.
Provide feedback on your peers' writing, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.
Revise your writing based on the feedback you received.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Author

**Authors** craft fictional stories that may be published in books, magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets. They may also work on screenplays, plays, or other forms of creative writing. This course can help aspiring authors develop the skills needed to write a successful novel. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Creative Director

**Creative Directors** oversee the artistic aspects of advertising campaigns, marketing campaigns, and other creative projects. They may work in a variety of industries, including advertising, marketing, publishing, and entertainment. This course can help Creative Directors develop the skills needed to create successful creative campaigns. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Journalist

**Journalists** write and report news stories for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, websites, and television. They may also work in a variety of industries, including news media, public relations, and marketing. This course can help Journalists develop the skills needed to write and report news stories effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Editor

**Editors** review, edit, and revise written material for a variety of purposes, including books, magazines, newspapers, and websites. They may also work in a variety of industries, including publishing, journalism, and marketing. This course can help Editors develop the skills needed to edit and revise written material effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Marketing Manager

**Marketing Managers** plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They may work in a variety of industries, including advertising, marketing, and public relations. This course can help Marketing Managers develop the skills needed to create successful marketing campaigns. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Screenwriter

**Screenwriters** write scripts for movies and television shows. This course can help Screenwriters develop the skills needed to write successful scripts. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Librarian

**Librarians** help people find and access information. They may work in a variety of settings, including libraries, schools, and businesses. This course can help Librarians develop the skills needed to provide effective library services. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Public Relations Specialist

**Public Relations Specialists** manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They may work in a variety of industries, including public relations, marketing, and communications. This course can help Public Relations Specialists develop the skills needed to manage public relations effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Professor

**Professors** teach and conduct research in a variety of academic disciplines. This course can help Professors develop the skills needed to teach writing effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Teacher

**Teachers** help students learn and grow. This course can help Teachers develop the skills needed to teach writing effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Novelist

**Novelists** write fictional stories of significant length, typically over 40,000 words. While this course may not be enough on its own to make you a successful novelist, it can help you develop the skills to write a successful novel. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Technical Writer

**Technical Writers** write instructions, manuals, and other technical documents. This course can help Technical Writers develop the skills needed to write technical documents effectively. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Web Content Writer

**Web Content Writers** write content for websites. This may include blog posts, articles, and other types of content. This course can help Web Content Writers develop the skills needed to write effective web content. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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Copywriter

**Copywriters** write persuasive text for advertising, marketing, and other promotional purposes. This course may be useful for Copywriters who want to develop their skills in writing persuasive text. It covers the elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan, the dynamics of how character and conflict intersect, and how to build a story using the architecture of story structure.

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