Level Up Your Fiction: 7 Game-Changing Writing Skills from Udemy

"Brilliant in every way. Every author needs this course to become better no matter how good they already are. " - Elena P.

Imagine transforming your fiction writing in just a few hours.

Sounds impossible? Not anymore.

"Level Up Your Fiction: 7 Game-Changing Writing Skills" is your fast-track to becoming a better writer - guaranteed.

No more guessing. No more writing in circles without making progress. This course delivers noticeable improvement in your creative writing skills, fast.

Here's what sets this course apart:

Mastery of 7 key storytelling skills that immediately elevate your writing
Two learning levels for each skill: "Foundational" and "Level-Up"
Over 14 'Writer's Room' sessions where you watch the instructor complete each exercise, providing real-time examples of how to apply the techniques
7 'Level Up Your Story' lectures to apply everything you've learned to your writing projects - current or future
An 80+ page workbook packed with exercises, examples, and resources

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

Create protagonists who leap off the page and feel real
Build multiple layers of antagonists that constantly keep your protagonist on their toes and your readers glued to the page.
Convey immersive settings without a ton of “telling” or “info-dumping”
Craft action scenes that are clear, fast-paced, and get your reader’s heart pounding (even if you’re not writing an action story)
Expertly weave in juxtaposition to create twists and turns that your reader won’t see coming (and can’t get enough of. )
Use chapter breaks strategically to have the most impact on your storytelling
Optimize paragraph breaks to create the perfect pacing for every page

Thousands of students are already using these skills to level-up their writing.

"I've taken a lot of writing courses and few have such practical application steps. I'm learning a lot and my WIP is stronger for taking this course." - Shelby K.

“Definitely helped me with the nitty gritty stuff no one has taught me before” - Isabel L.

"Exceeded my expectations. Each topic was crystal clear with plenty of examples to clarify and enhance the points." - Shari H.

Why Learn from Us?

Scott Reintgen is a New York Times bestselling author and creative writing teacher. His books have been translated and published in over 20 countries worldwide. But his success didn’t come overnight. He spent 5 years finding ways to “level up” his writing, to go from a struggling new writer to a seasoned professional. And now he’s taken the best that he’s learned and boiled it down into just a few hours, so you can level up your own writing in record time.

Jessica Brody is a bestselling author, top-rated Udemy instructor, and founder of Writing Mastery. She is the author of more than 20 novels plus the bestselling Save the Cat. Writes a Novel plotting guides, and the co-creator of "Level Up Your Fiction."

Writing Mastery: Home to 10 top-rated courses, trusted by over 60,000 students, with an average 4.7-star rating. We partner only with the most qualified instructors to deliver high-quality, transformative writing courses.

This course is designed to be revisited multiple times, ensuring continuous improvement no matter your starting point.

Ready to level up your fiction? Enroll now and start seeing results in hours, not years.

Remember, with our 30-day money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose and a world of writing mastery to gain.

Don't let another day pass without improving your craft.

Enroll now and start your journey to becoming a master storyteller.

7 stars.

"Just, WOW. FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps" - Tracy"Superb. Clear and engaging - Dan"Thorough, accurate, and well-presented I would recommend Jessica Brody’s courses to any writer eager to rise." - Mark"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"If you write (or plan to write), get this course" - Scott"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process." - Christy"Good pacing, great tools, wonderful ideas... loving this course. " - Regina"Love the videos. Very easy to understand and lots of great tips. " - Lisa

What's inside

Learning objectives

Master 7 game-changing skills to elevate your fiction writing and storytelling
Apply practical strategies and techniques to instantly improve your writing
Progress through two levels - "foundational" and "level up" - for each skill
Transform your work-in-progress with targeted "level up your story" lectures

Watch real-time demonstrations in "writer's room" sessions
Learn to craft compelling characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes
Develop techniques for creating tension, pacing, and unexpected twists
Master the art of effective paragraph and chapter breaks to enhance reader engagement

Master 7 game-changing skills to elevate your fiction writing and storytelling
Apply practical strategies and techniques to instantly improve your writing
Progress through two levels - "foundational" and "level up" - for each skill
Transform your work-in-progress with targeted "level up your story" lectures
Watch real-time demonstrations in "writer's room" sessions
Learn to craft compelling characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes
Develop techniques for creating tension, pacing, and unexpected twists
Master the art of effective paragraph and chapter breaks to enhance reader engagement

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome & What to Expect

What is Leveling Up?

How This Course Works

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down complex storytelling elements into foundational and advanced techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced writers

Offers practical exercises and real-time examples, which allows writers to immediately apply the learned skills to their current or future projects

Includes a comprehensive workbook with exercises and resources, which provides a valuable reference tool for writers to revisit and reinforce their learning

Taught by bestselling authors, which lends credibility and practical insights to the course content and instruction

Focuses on specific, actionable skills like character development, setting, and pacing, which allows writers to target areas for improvement

Requires learners to download a workbook, which may require access to a printer or the means to view a document on a computer

Reviews summary

Improve your fiction writing craft

According to learners who have taken this course, it offers highly practical and actionable strategies that can immediately help level up fiction writing skills. Students consistently praise the way complex topics are broken down into clear, understandable lessons with plenty of examples and exercises. The instructors are frequently mentioned as being engaging, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. Many found the accompanying workbook incredibly useful for applying the concepts. While the course covers 7 specific skills, reviewers feel it provides a solid foundation and helps refine techniques for writers at various stages, from beginners to those with some experience, making it a valuable investment for anyone serious about improving their fiction.

Provides excellent value for the price.

"Very informative and well worth the time and cost."

"This course is worth far more than the price of admission."

"A great value for the amount of knowledge gained."

Instructors are enthusiastic and expert.

"Clear, concise, & well-narrated with an abundance of enthusiasm."

"Superb. Clear and engaging"

"The instructors' passion for writing is infectious."

"Scott and Jessica are very knowledgeable and present well."

Well-organized modules and helpful workbook.

"Each topic was crystal clear with plenty of examples to clarify and enhance the points."

"I'm learning a lot and my WIP is stronger for taking this course."

"Good pacing, great tools, wonderful ideas..."

"Love the videos. Very easy to understand and lots of great tips."

"The structure with foundational and level-up parts is very helpful."

Lessons are easy to understand and follow.

"Exceeded my expectations. Each topic was crystal clear with plenty of examples to clarify and enhance the points."

"Superb. Clear and engaging"

"Thorough, accurate, and well-presented"

"Clear, concise, & well-narrated with an abundance of enthusiasm."

"Love the videos. Very easy to understand and lots of great tips."

Helps students improve their writing craft.

"Every author needs this course to become better no matter how good they already are."

"my WIP is stronger for taking this course."

"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process."

"I am already seeing improvements in my work."

"This course helped me take my writing to the next level."

Offers immediately applicable writing strategies.

"few have such practical application steps."

"Definitely helped me with the nitty gritty stuff no one has taught me before"

"FULL of tips, tricks, resources, references, and actionable steps"

"I have learned so much information that has helped me in the writing process."

"Good pacing, great tools, wonderful ideas... loving this course."

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 Level Up Your Fiction: 7 Game-Changing Writing Skills with these activities:

Review Literary Terms

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with common literary terms to better understand the course's concepts and discussions.

Show steps

Create a list of common literary terms.
Define each term in your own words.
Find examples of each term in published works.

Read 'Story Genius'

Show steps

Explore cognitive storytelling strategies to craft a novel.

View Story Genius on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the book's principles to a story idea.
Analyze a favorite novel using the book's framework.

Read 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel'

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of story structure and plotting techniques.

View Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Apply the 'Save the Cat!' method to a story idea.
Identify the 15 plot points in a favorite novel.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Storyboard

Show steps

Visualize key scenes from your story using a storyboard to improve pacing and clarity.

Show steps

Select key scenes from your story.
Sketch out each scene in a panel.
Add brief descriptions to each panel.
Review the storyboard for pacing and clarity.

Critique Partner Exchange

Show steps

Share your writing with a peer and provide constructive feedback, focusing on the elements covered in the course.

Show steps

Find a critique partner or group.
Exchange writing samples with your partner.
Provide feedback based on the course's principles.
Discuss the feedback and revise your work.

Outline a Novel

Show steps

Apply the course's principles to develop a detailed outline for a novel, focusing on character development, setting, and plot structure.

Show steps

Develop a concept for your novel.
Create detailed character profiles for your protagonist and antagonist.
Outline the plot using the techniques learned in the course.
Write a synopsis of your novel.

Write a Short Story

Show steps

Practice the skills learned in the course by writing a short story that incorporates compelling characters, vivid settings, and effective plot twists.

Show steps

Brainstorm ideas for your short story.
Outline the plot and character arcs.
Write the first draft of your short story.
Revise and edit your story based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Level Up Your Fiction: 7 Game-Changing Writing Skills will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Author

An author writes books, articles, or other written works, often requiring creativity, research, and strong writing skills. This course, with its focus on leveling up fiction through seven game-changing writing skills, directly helps an author. The course helps one to create protagonists who leap off the page, build layered antagonists, and convey immersive settings. An author should take this course to improve skills with action scenes, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced authors alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Fiction Writer

A fiction writer crafts imaginative narratives, developing compelling characters and worlds. This course, with its focus on leveling up fiction through seven game-changing writing skills, directly benefits a fiction writer. The course helps one to create protagonists who leap off the page, build layered antagonists, and convey immersive settings. A fiction writer should take this course to improve skills with action scenes, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced fiction writers alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fiction Writer

Novelist

A novelist writes long-form fictional narratives. This course focusing on leveling up fiction writing is directly applicable to the role of a novelist. The course dives into writing techniques, such as creating protagonists who resonate with readers, crafting antagonists with multiple layers, and developing immersive settings. A novelist can immediately apply the skills learned about juxtaposition to create unexpected twists, build perfectly paced action scenes, and optimize chapter and paragraph breaks to improve reader engagement. The course's practical exercises and real-time examples make it easy for a novelist to improve their skills and elevate their storytelling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter writes books, articles, or other written works that are credited to someone else. This course, with its focus on leveling up fiction through seven game-changing writing skills, directly helps a ghostwriter. The course helps one to create pieces that leap off the page and build layered content, and convey immersive topics. A ghostwriter should take this course to improve skills with creating engaging posts, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced ghostwriters alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ghostwriter

Blogger

A blogger creates and publishes content on a blog, often requiring engaging writing and storytelling skills. This course, with its focus on leveling up fiction through seven game-changing writing skills, directly helps a blogger. The course helps one to create posts that leap off the page and build layered content, and convey immersive topics. A blogger should take this course to improve skills with creating engaging posts, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced bloggers alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blogger

Freelance Writer

A freelance writer writes on a variety of topics for different clients, often requiring adaptability and versatility in writing styles. This course, with its focus on leveling up fiction through seven game-changing writing skills, directly helps a freelance writer. The course helps one to create pieces that leap off the page and build layered content, and convey immersive topics. A freelance writer should take this course to improve skills with creating engaging posts, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced freelance writers alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Creative Writing Professor

A creative writing professor teaches writing techniques and creative processes to students in higher education. This course may be useful for a creative writing professor. The course helps one to review the key pillars of creative writing, to build layered creative content, and to convey immersive topics. A creative writing professor should take this course to reinforce skills with creating engaging material, juxtaposition, chapter breaks and paragraph breaks. The course's emphasis on practical application and real-time examples makes it beneficial to new and experienced creative writing professors alike.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Writing Professor

Story Editor

A story editor evaluates and refines narrative structure, character development, and plot coherence in written works. A story editor may find this writing course to be useful. The course's lessons on protagonists and antagonists may be particularly helpful. A story editor might use this course to improve their understanding of effective writing. By the end of this course, a story editor can convey immersive settings. Also they can craft compelling characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Story Editor

Video Game Writer

A video game writer develops narratives, characters, and dialogue for video games. A focus of a video game writer is on the structure of stories, so this course may be particularly useful. The course will introduce a video game writer to techniques for creating tension, pacing, and unexpected twists. The course's discussion of characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes would be useful for a video game writer. The course's discussion of action scenes would be immediately relevant to a video game writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Writer

Screenwriter

A screenwriter creates scripts for films and television, focusing on dialogue, character development, and plot structure. This course may be useful for a screenwriter. While focused on fiction writing, the principles of creating compelling characters, building conflict, and crafting engaging scenes are transferrable to screenwriting. A screenwriter can use the tools of action scenes, pacing with paragraph breaks and chapter breaks. The course's detailed approach to character development, especially antagonists, and scene construction helps build the tension and twists that make for a gripping screenplay.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Playwright

A playwright writes scripts for stage productions. The core of a playwright's role is the structure of stories, so this course may be particularly useful. The course will introduce a playwright to techniques for creating tension, pacing, and unexpected twists. The course's discussion of characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes would be useful for a playwright. The course's discussion of action scenes would be immediately relevant to a playwright.

See salaries and explore the career path for Playwright

Content Writer

A content writer creates informative or engaging content for websites, blogs, and other digital platforms. Though content writing is often non-fiction, much of the skills discussed in this course can be useful to a content writer. The course helps a content writer to create reader engagement and master the art of effective paragraph breaks to enhance the overall writing. The course's focus on techniques for creating tension, pacing, and unexpected twists may be useful to a content writer. The course can help a content writer to capture audience attention through excellent writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Literary Agent

A literary agent represents authors and sells their work to publishers. While not directly related to writing, the skills discussed in this course may be helpful to a literary agent. The course provides a deeper understanding of the key elements of a successful fiction manuscript. With this background, a literary agent would have a better understanding of effective writing. By the end of this course, a literary agent can convey immersive settings. Also they can craft compelling characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literary Agent

Copywriter

A copywriter writes persuasive text for advertising and marketing materials. While distinct from fiction writing, much of the skills addressed in this course transfer to the work of a copywriter. The course helps a copywriter to create reader engagement and master the art of effecive paragraph breaks to enhance the overall writing. A course teaching about compelling characters, vivid settings, and engaging scenes are all useful to the development of persuasive copy. The course can help a copywriter to capture audience attention through excellent writing.

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Editorial Assistant

An editorial assistant provides administrative and editorial support to editors and writers. While this role is not directly about writing, the concepts explored in this course may be helpful to an editorial assistant. This course helps an editorial assistant to improve their understanding of story structure. The course's discussion of characters, vivid settings, and pacing could also be useful for an editorial assistant. This would improve an editorial assistant's ability to work with a publisher's writers and editors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editorial Assistant

Level Up Your Fiction

7 Game-Changing Writing Skills

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Improve your fiction writing craft

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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