Novel Writing Workshop from Udemy

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.

Discover the important difference between plot and story, and learn how you can improve your novel my achieving the perfect balance between them. I've included examples from popular books and movies to help make the difference between plot and story crystal clear.

Just four dramatic elements underlie every novel. Here's your chance to discover what works best for you, and to begin constructing both your story and your plot by creating a premise.

Test your knowledge of Plot, Story, and the Dramatic Elements.

Characters

This lesson shows you how to create great characters, step by step. What's important and what (surprisingly) isn't important? We'll make some exciting discoveries!

Create a protagonist your readers will relate to by drawing upon the tools from your own experience.

How do you create an effective antagonist? This lesson will show you several techniques, and explain why it's a powerful technique to relate your antagonist's flaw to that of your protagonist.

This lesson shows you how to create all the secondary characters you'll need. I'll explain the roles of the important and lesser characters, and show you how to "cast" your novel.

Find out what you've learned about creating characters.

Story Structure

Three Act Structure is the key to writing a successful novel. I'll graphically reveal the path you'll follow from beginning to end. By the time you complete this lesson, you'll be brimming with ideas for the structure of your own novel!

Discover the three checkpoints that make an effective Act 1 and then apply them to create the first act of your own novel.

As you develop Act 2 you need to keep your readers engaged and excited. This lesson shows you how.

Get ready to wrap things up! This lessons shows you how to create a satisfying climax, and an ending that remains true to your theme.

This quiz lets you test your knowledge of three act structure and the checkpoints.

Creating Your Manuscript

Discover the magic of scene and sequel. This simple structure, repeated over and over, is the key to writing your novel. By the end of this lesson you'll have a road map for your entire manuscript, and the structuring process will be complete.

Discover the importance of conflict in your novel, and practice three great ways to create it.

In this lesson you'll explore four great techniques for creating suspense to captivate your readers and keep them on the edge of their seats.

Employ these four techniques to keep your readers in the dark!

This lesson introduces three techniques you'll use to control the pacing of your novel, so you can mix fast paced action and slower paced reaction in any combination you like.

Test the three most popular viewpoints out on your own novel, and see which one works best. You'll see the advantages and disadvantages of each, and be able to choose wisely.

Voice is a slippery subject, but I'll help you get a handle on it in this lesson and the accompanying test drive.

There are only two common tenses for you to use to tell your story. That should make the choice simple... but there are advantages and disadvantages to both. This lesson lets you explore how they work for you, so you can make the best choice.

Learn how to build amazing settings, step by step. You'll be amazed at the results!

This lesson gives you seven reasons to use dialogue, and five techniques for making your dialogue more interesting. Then, in the accompanying handouts, I'll have lots more dialogue Dos and Don'ts, and a really fun test drive where you'll get to fix a famous novel's awful dialogue!

Beginnings grab your readers, and endings leave them thinking. Creating a relationship between The two can reinforce your theme or show changed circumstances. This lesson lets you experiment with which techniques work best for you.

Test your knowledge of manuscript writing techniques.

Polishing Your Manuscript

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

Writing well is as much about what you don't need as what you do. In this lesson I'll show you how to dramatically improve your work by finding the right words—and cutting the wrong ones.

Test your knowledge of ways to improve your manuscript.

Selling Your Novel

Create the collateral you'll need to plan, write and sell your manuscript.

Once you've checked each of The items in my Manuscript Evaluation Checklist, you'll be ready to publish your novel.

You've put in the hard work, here's how to get published!

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

Now that you've completed the course, here are some ways you can stay involved, and further develop your novel writing skills.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Reviews summary

Comprehensive novel writing guide

Learners say this course is a comprehensive guide to novel writing. It provides learners with the confidence and structure they need to start writing. The course is easy to follow, even for those with a lower level of English. Students also appreciate the clear and engaging content.

Easy to follow even for beginners.

"I don't have a super great level of English but I understood everything perfectly and very clear."

"The course is easy to follow, even for those with a lower level of English."

Provides a clear structure for writing a novel.

"I now have the feeling that I know everything I need to know to write a book (other than experience of course), but now I have more confidence. I know where to start and the steps I need to take, it makes it all structured and less terrifying."

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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Join a Local Writing Group

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

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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

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

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 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

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

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.

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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

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

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.

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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