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The Bestseller Blueprint

Crafting High-Concept Story Ideas

Jessica Brody and Writing Mastery

Unlock the secret to creating irresistible book and movie ideas that sell.

What do blockbusters like The DaVinci Code, The Girl on the Train, The Martian, and The Hunger Games have in common?

They're all built around “high-concept” ideas that grab your attention in just one sentence.

In this course, international bestselling author Jessica Brody reveals how you can craft your own high-concept ideas to captivate agents, publishers, producers, and readers.

"If you're stuck for an idea, not just an idea but a great idea, then this class is for you." - Steve B.

Read more

Unlock the secret to creating irresistible book and movie ideas that sell.

What do blockbusters like The DaVinci Code, The Girl on the Train, The Martian, and The Hunger Games have in common?

They're all built around “high-concept” ideas that grab your attention in just one sentence.

In this course, international bestselling author Jessica Brody reveals how you can craft your own high-concept ideas to captivate agents, publishers, producers, and readers.

"If you're stuck for an idea, not just an idea but a great idea, then this class is for you." - Steve B.

High-concept ideas are the holy grail of the book and movie business, known to sell better, faster, and for more money. But what exactly is a high-concept idea, and how do you create one that sells?

In this dynamic course, you'll:

  • Learn exactly what makes an idea "high-concept"

  • Discover the 4 Secret Ingredients of every high-concept idea

  • Master 5 Proven Methods for brainstorming your own high-concept ideas

  • Get access to practical exercises and tips to apply your new skills

By the end of the course, you'll have at least one shiny new high-concept idea ready to become your next bestselling novel or blockbuster movie.

"I used your course to develop my pitch to two agents. They both requested a manuscript." - Brian U.

About Your Instructor: Jessica Brody is the author of more than 20 novels published by major houses like Simon & Schuster, Random House, Macmillan, and Disney Press. Her books have been translated into 20+ languages, and several have been optioned for film and TV. Jessica's success secret? High-concept ideas.

"This is easily one of the most powerful, clearly presented courses I've taken." - Eibhlin

Whether you're aiming for self-publishing, traditional publishing, or screenwriting, this course will teach you how to develop ideas that captivate your audience and stand out in a crowded market.

"Jessica Brody breaks down these concepts with clarity and amazing insight." - Mike

Don't miss this opportunity to transform your creative process and skyrocket your chances of success.

Enroll now and start brainstorming your next bestseller or blockbuster today.

7 stars.

"Jessica is truly a gifted teacher. " - Vicky"Jessica is a LEGEND...Completely worth it." - Ras"Superb. Clear and engaging - Dan"Just, WOW. Jessica Brody provides much more than a boatload... try a cruise ship FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps" - Tracy"Thorough, accurate, and well-presented I would recommend Jessica Brody’s courses to any writer eager to rise." - Mark"Jessica Brody breaks down these concepts with clarity and amazing insight."  - Mike"Jessica Brody's courses are all thorough, entertaining, and extremely helpful." - Tricia"As always, Jessica Brody delivers an insider's knowledge and the tools to move forward in the process, now. " - Sue"Very informative and well worth the time and cost." - Noel "Clear, concise, & well-narrated with an abundance of enthusiasm." - Christopher"This course is worth far more than the price of admission. " - Talmage"Jessica Brody has a gift for distilling lots of hard-earned information into concise and tasty bites." - Katherine"If you write (or plan to write), get this course" - Scott

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Master the art of crafting blockbuster story ideas for books and movies
  • Unlock the power of "high-concept" ideas and why they're industry gold
  • Discover the 4 secret ingredients that make every high-concept idea irresistible
  • Learn 5 proven methods to generate your own high-concept ideas on demand
  • Develop multiple compelling story ideas ready for writing or pitching
  • Elevate your writing career with ideas that excite readers and industry professionals

Syllabus

In this lecture, we'll break down my favorite brainstorming method, Extra Extra Read All About it, and how I developed it, as well as complete a fun exercise to get your creative juices pumping and your ideas flowing!

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Introduction

Welcome to Writing Mastery: Creating High-Concept Ideas that Sell! I'm honored to be your guide on this journey. This course is all about high-concept ideas, why they're important, why they sell for more money, and how YOU can develop your own high-concept ideas to get the most out of your writing career. In this first lecture, I'll introduce you to the idea of high concept and walk you through what you can expect from the rest of the course.

In this lecture, I give you a quick overview of who this course is designed for and who will get the most out of it.

In this lecture, I briefly introduce myself and tell you why I'm qualified to teach this course.

In this lecture, we'll introduce high-concept ideas and discuss why they're so important in the book and movie business and how they can help you reach the next level in your writing career.

Where to Get Help
The 4 Secret Ingredients of a High-Concept Idea

In this lecture, we kick off our discussion of the 4 Secret Ingredients of every high-concept idea and why they're important. These ingredients will provide you with a solid foundation upon which to brainstorm and develop your own high-concept ideas. We'll discuss the first Secret Ingredient of high-concept ideas, a Fish out of Water, and I'll provide you with examples from popular books and movies to help you better understand why it's important.

In this lecture, we discuss the second Secret Ingredient of high-concept ideas, a Looming Conflict, and I'll provide you with examples from popular books and movies to help you better understand why it's important. We'll also discuss the differences between major and minor conflicts.

In this lecture, we discuss the third Secret Ingredient of high-concept ideas, a Hook, and I'll provide you with examples from popular books and movies to help you better understand why it's important. We'll also discuss the three different kind of hooks found in high-concept ideas and how to identify them.

In this lecture, we discuss the fourth and final Secret Ingredient of high-concept ideas, a Universal Theme, and I'll provide you with examples from popular books and movies to help you better understand why it's important. This lecture also comes with two exercises that will help you apply everything you've learned in this section.

5 Proven Methods for Brainstorming High-Concept Ideas

In this lecture, we start brainstorming book and screenplay ideas! I first provide you with some brainstorming guidelines before diving into our first Proven Method for Brainstorming High-Concept Ideas. We'll break down the Larger than Life Method and how I developed it, as well as complete two exercises to help you use the method for brainstorming your own ideas.

In this lecture, we'll break down the Magic Talisman method (and its variation, the Magic Curse method), and how I developed it, as well as complete two "magical" exercises to help you use the methods for brainstorming your own ideas.

In this lecture, we'll break down the People Zoo Method, and how I developed it, as well as guide you through a "trip to the people zoo," an exercise to help you use the method for brainstorming your own ideas.

In this lecture, we'll "MishMash" things up with the MishMash method. I'll talk about how I developed it, why it's probably the most "fun" method of them all, and then we'll end this section with an exercise and a fun MishMash brainstorming game!

Wrapping Up

In this lecture, we'll recap everything we've learned, then complete one final exercise, "Putting it All Together," which will help you select which shiny new idea to work on, and how to move forward with it into the next stage of the writing process. I'll also provide you with some last minute tips and words of encouragement as you venture out into the world of writing mastery!

BONUS LECTURE

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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 The Bestseller Blueprint: Crafting High-Concept Story Ideas with these activities:
Review Basic Story Structure
Ensure you have a solid foundation in basic story structure before diving into high-concept ideas.
Browse courses on Story Structure
Show steps
  • Review resources on basic story structure, such as the three-act structure or the hero's journey.
  • Take notes on key concepts and elements.
Compile a List of High-Concept Examples
Improve your understanding of high-concept ideas by compiling a list of examples from books, movies, and TV shows.
Show steps
  • Research examples of high-concept stories in various media.
  • Create a list with the title, logline, and genre of each example.
  • Analyze each example to identify the 4 Secret Ingredients.
Read 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel'
Reinforce the course's concepts by reading a book that expands on the high-concept idea and provides a practical guide to novel writing.
View Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the sections related to high-concept ideas and brainstorming.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Apply the book's techniques to your own story ideas.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Brainstorm with a Writing Partner
Generate more ideas and refine your high-concept thinking by brainstorming with a writing partner.
Show steps
  • Find a writing partner who is also interested in high-concept ideas.
  • Schedule a brainstorming session.
  • Use the 5 Proven Methods to generate new ideas together.
  • Provide constructive feedback on each other's ideas.
Read 'Story Genius'
Gain a deeper understanding of story structure and character development by reading a book that explores how the brain processes stories.
View Story Genius on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Story Genius'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the sections related to story structure and character development.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Consider how the book's principles can be applied to your high-concept idea.
Develop Three High-Concept Story Ideas
Solidify your understanding of high-concept ideas by developing three distinct story ideas using the methods taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Review the 5 Proven Methods for Brainstorming High-Concept Ideas.
  • Choose three methods to use for generating ideas.
  • For each method, brainstorm at least one story idea.
  • Refine each idea, ensuring it contains the 4 Secret Ingredients.
  • Write a one-sentence pitch for each idea.
Create a Pitch Deck for Your Best Idea
Practice pitching your high-concept idea by creating a pitch deck that you could use to present to agents, publishers, or producers.
Show steps
  • Select your strongest high-concept story idea.
  • Develop a compelling logline and synopsis.
  • Create a visually appealing presentation with key selling points.
  • Practice your pitch delivery.

Career center

Learners who complete The Bestseller Blueprint: Crafting High-Concept Story Ideas will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Novelist
For a Novelist, original and captivating story ideas are the foundation of a successful book. This course directly addresses the challenge of generating high-concept ideas that resonate with readers and publishers. You’ll gain a framework for understanding what makes a story idea 'irresistible', and you will be able to generate numerous compelling ideas using the techniques taught in the course. The course's focus on brainstorming methods, like the “People Zoo Method,” are beneficial. The success secret of the instructor, Jessica Brody, is also related to high concept ideas.
See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist
Screenwriter
Success as a Screenwriter hinges on developing compelling story ideas that capture the attention of producers and studios. This course dives into the art of crafting high-concept ideas tailored for the screen. You discover the core elements of a marketable concept, you'll be equipped to generate scripts that stand out in a competitive industry. The course’s focus on “blockbuster movies” is highly relevant to screenwriting. Specific methods, like the 'Magic Talisman' method, can be directly applied to screenplay development. It's designed to provide screenwriters with a practical framework for generating high-impact ideas.
See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter
Ghostwriter
Ghostwriters write books, articles, or other content that is credited to another person. This course directly addresses the challenge of generating high-concept ideas that resonate with readers and publishers. You'll gain a framework for understanding what makes a story idea 'irresistible', and you will be able to generate numerous compelling ideas using the techniques taught in the course. The course's focus on brainstorming methods, such as the “People Zoo Method,” are beneficial. This course helps build a foundation for Ghostwriters.
See salaries and explore the career path for Ghostwriter
Creative Writer
Creative Writers often seek inspiration and guidance in developing fresh and engaging concepts. This course directly addresses the need for innovative ideas. You'll learn how to craft 'high-concept' stories, the kind that instantly grab attention. Through practical exercises and proven methods, such as the 'Extra Extra Read All About it' method, you'll be able to generate multiple story ideas. You will leave this course empowered to inject new life into your creative projects. This skillset is useful for creative writers to develop their pitches.
See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Writer
Literary Agent
As a Literary Agent, your success depends on identifying and representing authors with marketable book ideas. This course helps build a keen eye for high-concept story ideas that resonate with publishers and readers. By understanding the key elements of a high-concept idea, you'll be able to quickly assess the potential of a manuscript and effectively pitch it to publishers. You'll learn to recognize the 'four secret ingredients' of successful concepts. The course's emphasis on brainstorming methods such as 'Larger than Life' and 'MishMash' provides an excellent foundation for spotting innovative ideas. A Literary Agent often works independently and needs to be creative, making this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Literary Agent
Film Producer
A Film Producer seeks out compelling stories and oversees their development into successful movies. This course helps build a keen eye for high-concept ideas that have the potential to become box office hits. You learn how to identify the 'four secret ingredients' of a successful story idea, and you will develop a systematic approach to brainstorming new concepts. The course's emphasis on understanding what makes a story marketable is invaluable for making informed decisions about which projects to pursue. A Film Producer often works with Screenwriters, making this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Film Producer
Script Reader
Script Readers evaluate screenplays and provide feedback to studios and production companies. This course helps you develop a strong understanding of what makes a story idea marketable and engaging. By learning how to identify high-concept ideas, you'll be able to quickly assess the potential of a script and provide valuable insights to decision-makers. The course's emphasis on the 'four secret ingredients' of successful stories and brainstorming methods helps you recognize the qualities of a good script. Script Readers work with Screenwriters, making this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Script Reader
Development Executive
A Development Executive is responsible for sourcing and developing new creative material for film and television studios. This course could be beneficial to development executives. With the course's focus on crafting high-concept story ideas, you'll gain a valuable skill set for identifying promising projects that can attract audiences and generate revenue. You discover how to recognize the essential ingredients that make a story idea marketable, and the course's five proven brainstorming methods equip you with the tools to generate fresh and innovative concepts. This course can help a Development Executive improve their chances of finding the next blockbuster.
See salaries and explore the career path for Development Executive
Literary Scout
Literary Scouts search for promising new books and manuscripts on behalf of publishers, agents, and film studios. This course helps you develop a keen eye for high-concept ideas that have the potential to become bestsellers or blockbuster movies. By understanding the elements of a marketable story, you'll be able to identify hidden gems and bring them to the attention of industry professionals. The course's emphasis on the brainstorming methods helps you assess the potential of new submissions. This course may be particularly helpful for a Literary Scout.
See salaries and explore the career path for Literary Scout
Book Editor
A Book Editor works with authors to refine their manuscripts and prepare them for publication. This course helps you understand what makes a story idea compelling and marketable. By learning how to identify high-concept ideas, you'll be better equipped to guide authors in developing their stories and making them more appealing to readers. In addition, you will learn new brainstorming methods. The course's focus on what captures the attention of agent, publishers, producers, and readers may be beneficial for a book editor.
See salaries and explore the career path for Book Editor
Content Creator
In the digital age, Content Creators need to constantly develop fresh and engaging ideas to stand out in a crowded online landscape. This course helps you develop methods for generating high-concept ideas that capture audience attention. By understanding the essential elements of a marketable concept, you'll be equipped to create content that goes viral and builds a loyal following. The brainstorming methods, such as the 'MishMash' method, are particularly useful for generating unexpected and engaging content ideas. This is particularly helpful for a Content Creator.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator
Story Editor
A Story Editor plays a vital role in the film and television industries, evaluating story submissions and providing constructive feedback on plot, character development, and overall narrative structure. This course helps you understand what makes a story idea compelling and marketable. You'll learn how to identify high concept ideas and the four secret ingredients that make them irresistible. The skills you gain will allow you to assess the potential of scripts and manuscripts, pinpoint weaknesses, and suggest improvements. By mastering the methods for brainstorming high-concept ideas, you will be better equipped to recognize those qualities in others' work. This course may be useful to story editors.
See salaries and explore the career path for Story Editor
Game Writer
Game Writers create the stories, dialogue, and lore that drive video games. This course may be useful in developing compelling narrative concepts, for example crafting engaging quests and character backstories. You discover how to create high-concept ideas, and learn the secret ingredients that make a story irresistible. The course's brainstorming methods, such as the 'Magic Talisman' method, can also be adapted to create unique and memorable game worlds. Overall, this course aids game writers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager in the entertainment industry is expected to develop creative campaigns that effectively promote books, movies, and other creative content. To do this, you must understand what makes a story idea appealing and marketable. This course dives into the art of crafting high-concept ideas. You learn the secret ingredients that make a story irresistible. The course's emphasis on understanding what captures audience attention is directly applicable to marketing strategies. This course helps build a foundation in marketing.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Copywriter
Copywriters are often tasked with creating compelling advertising and promotional materials for books, movies, and other forms of entertainment. This course provides valuable insights into understanding what makes a story idea marketable and attention-grabbing. By learning how to craft high-concept ideas, you'll be better equipped to write copy that effectively communicates the essence of a story. This course helps build a foundation for a Copywriter.
See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Bestseller Blueprint: Crafting High-Concept Story Ideas.
Cover image
Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel
Save
This book, written by the same instructor, expands on the high-concept idea and provides a practical guide to novel writing. It delves deeper into the 4 Secret Ingredients and 5 Proven Methods discussed in the course. It is highly recommended as a companion text to solidify understanding and apply the concepts learned. is commonly used by aspiring novelists and screenwriters.
Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The...
Paperback
$$
Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Story Genius
Save
Explores how the brain processes stories and how writers can use this knowledge to create more compelling narratives. It provides a deeper understanding of story structure and character development, complementing the high-concept focus of the course. While not directly focused on high-concept, it provides a valuable framework for crafting a story around a strong idea. This book is valuable as additional reading.
Story Genius
Paperback
Check
Story Genius
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
Jessica Brody
Writing Mastery
Language
English
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