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Novel Writing Workshop

Steve Alcorn

4.7

Based on 1,855 ratings

, see reviews

Steve Alcorn

Have you started a novel only to get part way into the manuscript and find yourself stuck? Or do you have an idea for a novel but aren't sure where to begin? Have you completed a first draft but feel it doesn't quite have the luster of professional Novel Writing? In this lively and fun course Steve Alcorn shows you how to achieve success. Here you'll learn How to Write a Novel Step by step you'll breathe life into old manuscripts create new novels that real like bestsellers and put the spark back into your writing life. Topics include: * Story Structure * Character Building * Viewpoint * Tense * Voice * Setting * Conflict * Suspense * Mystery * Dialogue * Writing Big * Beginnings and Endings * Getting Published

Whether you're a first time novelist still planning your story or an experienced author looking for ways to bring your fiction to life Novel Writing Workshop is the course for you.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Turn your idea into a novel
Discover your dramatic elements
Create a premise that sells
Develop interesting characters
Construct your novel in three acts
Learn how to write effective scenes
Explore viewpoint, voice and tense

Add conflict, mystery and suspense
Polish your manuscript
Develop a marketing plan
Get published!
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Turn your idea into a novel
Discover your dramatic elements
Create a premise that sells
Develop interesting characters
Construct your novel in three acts
Learn how to write effective scenes
Explore viewpoint, voice and tense
Add conflict, mystery and suspense
Polish your manuscript
Develop a marketing plan
Get published!
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Planning Your Novel

Welcome to the course! This lesson provides an overview of what's to come, and suggestions for how to choose a fun and marketable subject for your novel.

Writing Big can make the difference between flat prose and a sparkling novel that sells itself. Here's how to do it.

Test your knowledge of ways to improve your manuscript.

This final quiz will show you what you've learned about getting into print.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines the fundamentals of novel writing, from planning to publishing

Develops foundational skills in story structure, character building, and more

Provides hands-on practice and guidance through interactive materials and writing exercises

Taught by Steve Alcorn, an experienced author and writing instructor

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Reviews summary

Step-by-step novel writing guide

According to learners, the Novel Writing Workshop is a highly recommended course for aspiring authors, particularly those new to writing a full-length manuscript. Students consistently praise the instructor, Steve Alcorn, for his engaging delivery and clear explanations of complex concepts like Story Structure and Character Building. The step-by-step approach is highlighted as a major strength, making the daunting task of writing a novel feel manageable. While the course provides a solid foundation, some students note that the module on Getting Published could benefit from updates regarding modern publishing avenues. Overall, it's seen as a valuable starting point.

Informative, but could use modern updates.

"The section on getting published was interesting, but felt a little traditional; could use more on self-publishing."

"While helpful, the publishing advice seems a bit dated compared to today's market."

"I appreciated the guidance on querying agents, but wished there was more on the indie route."

"The advice on publishing is a good starting point but feels like it needs supplementing with current industry info."

Ideal for those new to novel writing.

"As a complete beginner, I found this course perfect for getting started."

"If you've never written a novel before, this course is an excellent guide."

"More experienced writers might find some sections cover ground they already know."

"It's a fantastic introduction, but not really for advanced authors looking for deep dives."

Step-by-step guidance is highly effective.

"I loved the step-by-step format; it broke down the overwhelming process into manageable tasks."

"Following the three-act structure lesson was incredibly helpful for planning my plot."

"The exercises and 'test drives' were very useful for applying what I learned immediately."

"It provides a clear road map from idea to completed manuscript."

Provides essential building blocks for writers.

"This course gave me the fundamental tools I needed to finally start outlining my novel."

"It covers all the basics, from character to structure, in a really comprehensive way."

"Learned key concepts like Scene and Sequel which totally changed how I approach writing chapters."

"Provides a strong understanding of the mechanics behind telling a compelling story."

Instructor makes complex topics accessible.

"Steve Alcorn is an engaging and knowledgeable instructor; his passion for writing is infectious."

"The instructor does a fantastic job explaining concepts like character development and plot structure clearly."

"His delivery is fun and keeps you motivated throughout the course."

"I felt like Steve was talking directly to me, making the learning experience very personal."

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 Novel Writing Workshop with these activities:

Read Bird by Bird

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Read about the experiences of another author and follow Anne Lamott's guidance to develop stronger writing habits.

View Somehow on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read through the book
Take notes as you read
Reflect on how the guidance applies to your writing
Apply the techniques and lessons to your own writing

Study On Writing by Stephen King

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Comprehend Stephen King's philosophies and recommendations on effective writing by reading his celebrated memoir.

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Get a copy of On Writing
Read On Writing
Take notes on key concepts
Apply what you've learned to your writing

Response to Prompts

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Engage with writing drills that will help you refine your writing skills and abilities.

Browse courses on Writing Exercises

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Locate or develop response prompts
Set a time limit for responding
Write freely to the prompt
Reflect on your response

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Join a Local Writing Group

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Network with other writers to broaden your perspective, seek inspiration, and provide feedback

Browse courses on Community Engagement

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Research and identify local writing groups
Join one or more writing groups
Attend regular meetings and participate in discussions
Share your work and provide feedback to others

Write a Short Story

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Apply the foundations of character development, story structure, pacing, and dialogue to outline a short story.

Browse courses on Writing Techniques

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Brainstorm and develop an idea for your story
Develop your protagonist and antagonist
Create a plot outline
Write a rough draft of your story
Revise and edit your story

Develop a Writing Portfolio

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Gather and compile your writing samples to demonstrate the scope of your writing skills.

Browse courses on Writing Process

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Collect and select samples of your writing
Review and critique your writing
Organize and present your portfolio
Get feedback on your portfolio
Revise and improve your portfolio

Career center

Learners who complete Novel Writing Workshop will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Novelist

The Novel Writing Workshop can be an invaluable resource for aspiring Novelists. It provides a comprehensive guide to the craft of writing a novel, including techniques for developing characters, structuring a plot, and refining your writing style. By acquiring these skills, you can enhance your writing abilities and increase your chances of success in the competitive world of novel writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Fiction Writer

Those interested in pursuing a career as a Fiction Writer can greatly benefit from this course. It offers a comprehensive guide to the art of novel writing, covering essential elements such as character development, plot structure, and writing techniques. By mastering these concepts, you can refine your storytelling abilities and increase your chances of success in the competitive field of fiction writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fiction Writer

Book Editor

Individuals seeking a career as a Book Editor may find this course highly valuable. Not only does it provide a thorough understanding of the storytelling process, but it also covers advanced topics such as polishing manuscripts and developing marketing plans. With its focus on improving writing quality and marketability, this course can equip you with the knowledge and skills essential for success in the publishing industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Book Editor

Writing Coach

Aspiring Writing Coaches can gain valuable insights from this course. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the writing process, including techniques for plot development, characterization, and manuscript refinement. By mastering these concepts, you can enhance your ability to guide and support aspiring writers in their writing journeys.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writing Coach

Writing Professor

Individuals interested in a career as a Writing Professor can benefit from this course. It offers a thorough understanding of writing techniques, including storytelling, character development, and manuscript critique. By acquiring these skills, you can enhance your ability to teach and inspire students in their writing endeavors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writing Professor

Creative Writing Professor

This course can be particularly beneficial for aspiring Creative Writing Professors. Its comprehensive coverage of novel writing techniques, including plot development, character building, and manuscript refinement, can provide valuable insights for teaching creative writing at the university level. By gaining a deeper understanding of these concepts, you can enhance your ability to guide and inspire your students in their writing journeys.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Writing Professor

Professor of Literature

Individuals seeking a career as a Professor of Literature can benefit from this course. It provides a deep understanding of literature's elements and techniques, including characterization, plot development, and literary analysis. By gaining insights into these concepts, you can enhance your ability to analyze and teach literature at the university level.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor of Literature

Freelance Writer

Freelance Writers can gain valuable insights and skills from this course. It provides a thorough understanding of novel writing techniques, including plot development, character building, and manuscript refinement, which are essential for producing high-quality written content. By completing this course, you can enhance your writing abilities and increase your marketability as a Freelance Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Author

Since this course provides a comprehensive guide to novel writing, it may be useful for those who want to become Authors. It covers a wide range of topics crucial for writing a successful novel, such as creating compelling characters, constructing a captivating plot, and refining your writing style. By gaining insights into these aspects, you can enhance your storytelling skills and increase your chances of success as an Author.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Young Adult Author

This course may be useful for aspiring Young Adult Authors. It covers essential storytelling techniques, character development, and crafting compelling narratives for a younger audience. While writing for young adults has its unique considerations, the principles and skills taught in this course can provide a solid foundation for creating engaging and meaningful stories for this demographic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Young Adult Author

Poet

While this course focuses on novel writing, it may also be beneficial for Poets. It covers essential writing techniques, such as character development, scene building, and creating compelling dialogue. These skills can be valuable for poets who want to incorporate narrative elements into their poetry or explore storytelling through verse.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poet

Speechwriter

Individuals considering a career as a Speechwriter may benefit from this course. It offers insights into storytelling techniques, character development, and crafting compelling narratives. While speeches differ from novels in length and format, the principles of storytelling and audience engagement discussed in this course can be valuable for writing effective and memorable speeches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Screenwriter

Those interested in pursuing a career as a Screenwriter may find this course useful. It covers fundamental storytelling techniques, including plot development, character building, and scene writing. While screenwriting has its unique demands, the skills learned in this course can provide a solid foundation for aspiring screenwriters looking to craft compelling narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Journalist

This course may be useful for those interested in becoming Journalists. It covers a wide range of writing techniques, including storytelling, character development, and scene building. While journalism focuses on factual reporting, these writing skills can be valuable for journalists looking to craft engaging and compelling stories in their articles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Technical Writer

This course may be beneficial for those pursuing a career as a Technical Writer. It covers essential writing techniques, such as clear and concise language, logical organization, and audience analysis. While technical writing requires specialized knowledge, the fundamental writing skills taught in this course can provide a strong foundation for effectively communicating technical information.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Novel Writing Workshop.