Write Your First Novel from Coursera

WRITE YOUR FIRST NOVEL

From Inc.com - The 30 Most Popular Online Courses of 2020

"Write Your First Novel" made the list at #15 https://lnkd.in/gZqscmn

If you’ve ever had the dream, the desire or even just a vague notion that you would like to write a novel, this course is for you. Whether you are a full-time student, have a full-time job, a family to take care of or all of the above, you can do it. Really! And I will help you get there.

In this Course, you will write your first novel. Many people say they have often thought about writing a novel and are planning to do it someday, but very few ever actually do. However, in this course, you will do it. You will learn how to form a basic idea, any idea, into a structure and discipline that will allow you to create, write and complete a fully-realized novel ready to submit for publication.

If you have any concerns regarding the protection of your original work, Coursera's privacy policy protects the learner's IP and you are indeed the sole owners of your work.

Here is a link to a trailer for the course. To view the trailer, please copy and paste the link into your browser.

https://vimeo.com/385761391/c5e7f873cf

Learner review: "It was a great experience, I really enjoyed it."

In Write Your First Novel, you’ll learn to break down your creative endeavor into components and you’ll discover a process that will allow you to do what few have done: produce and complete a full-length work of fiction in the form of a 50,000-word novel.

Learner Review: "You teach storytelling like no other teacher. I cannot put in words how much I appreciate it. This daily writing, and the product that comes with it, have been a great mental support during the pandemic time. Art is a support for life, as Stephen King said, and thanks to you I experienced it first-hand during this time. I think I will keep writing 500 words per night for the rest of my life. I owe it to you. You taught me how to write a novel, and it works every time. Huge thanks, and wishing you all the best."

I am a proponent of experiential learning (also known as active learning). My lectures are short and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a writer. I will guide you, I will show you how to get there, hopefully I will inspire you. You will learn through your own activity - which is writing! I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write!

Learner review: "As a published author, I took this course to relearn the skills. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every lecture and quiz. This course was very, very helpful and the videos were very well executed. Cheers!"

Writing fiction is a truly beautiful thing. Putting your own words on a page to tell a story which enters your readers minds and allows them to share the thoughts, emotions and lives of your characters is a very satisfying, rewarding experience.

Learner review: "BEST TEACHER EVER! LOVE THE COURSE."

What's inside

Syllabus

Week One: Creating the idea for your novel

In Week One you will create a concept for your original novel, your own Intellectual Property (IP). You will write up a pitch document, post it and review the pitches of five of your peers. You will also create a Logline and a Dramatic Question for your novel, post those documents, review the work of five of your peers and revise your own work with the feedback you get from your peers

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the process of writing a novel, which is a valuable skill for those interested in creative writing

Taught by David Wheeler, who is recognized for their work as an author, this course benefits from the expertise of an experienced professional

Develops creativity and discipline, which are core skills for writers

Outlines a clear step-by-step process, which provides a structured approach to writing a novel

Offers experiential learning through writing activities, which helps learners gain practical experience

Provides opportunities for peer review, which allows learners to receive feedback from others

Reviews summary

Structured step-by-step novel writing guide

According to learners, this course offers a highly structured and actionable framework for aspiring novelists. Students widely praise the step-by-step approach, which breaks down the daunting task of writing a novel into manageable weekly assignments, making it feel achievable. Many highlight how the course successfully helps them establish a consistent writing habit, often resulting in a completed first draft. The instructor is frequently commended for being encouraging, knowledgeable, and providing practical guidance through concise lectures. While the 26-week duration requires significant commitment, and the quality of peer reviews can sometimes vary, the overall sentiment is strongly positive, with many students expressing gratitude for finally being able to finish their novel.

Ideal for those new or stuck.

"This course is highly recommended for anyone who's always wanted to write a novel but didn't know where to start or couldn't stay disciplined."

"More experienced writers might find the pace or basic concepts too slow, but it's perfect for beginners."

"Gives you the push and the plan needed to get that first novel draft done."

Requires dedication over 26 weeks.

"Be aware it is a significant time commitment, but necessary for the goal."

"26 weeks is long, but appropriate for the task of writing a novel."

"Committing to over 6 months of writing isn't easy, but it's rewarding."

Achieve goal of completing a novel.

"The biggest benefit is that I actually FINISHED my novel, thanks to the course structure and deadlines."

"If your goal is to just finish your first draft, this course is perfect for you."

"I finally achieved my dream of writing a complete novel through this program."

Instructor is supportive and knowledgeable.

"The instructor is knowledgeable, supportive and an excellent communicator."

"I found the instructor's guidance inspiring and very practical for actual writing."

"Best teacher ever! His approach makes you believe you can actually do it."

Cultivates discipline and consistent writing.

"It has given me a writing habit, a goal to achieve and some lovely tools."

"This course has successfully ingrained a consistent writing habit in me."

"Learning to write regularly became a natural outcome of following the course structure."

Step-by-step method helps complete novel.

"The structure of writing a chapter a week is BRILLIANT and the only way I would have ever finished the first draft of a novel."

"The weekly setup made writing my first novel seem doable, rather than overwhelming."

"Breaking it down into weekly chapter goals was the key to actually completing my manuscript."

Feedback from peers inconsistent.

"Some peer reviews were insightful, others felt rushed or unhelpful."

"The quality of feedback depends heavily on the peers assigned."

"Wish there was more interaction or feedback directly from the instructor."

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 Write Your First Novel with these activities:

Read 'On Writing' by Stephen King

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Stephen King's memoir provides valuable insights into the process of writing

View On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (A Memoir of... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Summarize the key points from the book
Apply King's advice to your own writing

Watch YouTube videos on novel writing

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Watch YouTube videos on novel writing to learn from experienced authors

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Search for YouTube videos on novel writing
Watch videos from reputable sources
Take notes on key tips and techniques

Write a daily log

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Write in a daily log to track your progress and practice writing regularly

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Set aside a specific time each day to write
Write about your experiences, thoughts, or observations

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Write a Character Sketch

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Create a character sketch to practice bringing your characters to life

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Brainstorm your character's key traits
Choose the most important traits to focus on
Develop your character's physical appearance
Craft your character's backstory
Write a short description of your character

Attend a local writers' group

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Connect with local writers to share your work and receive feedback

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Find a local writers' group
Attend a meeting and introduce yourself
Share your work for feedback

Contribute to a collaborative writing project

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Work with others to create a shared piece of writing

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Find a collaborative writing project
Join the project and contribute your writing
Review and comment on the work of others

Write a short story

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Writing a short story allows you to practice your skills and create a complete work

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Brainstorm ideas for your story
Develop the plot and characters
Write the story
Edit and revise your story

Create a personal writing website

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Creating a personal website showcases your writing and helps you connect with readers

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Choose a website platform
Design and customize your website
Publish your writing on your website

Career center

Learners who complete Write Your First Novel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Author

Authors craft stories through the written word. In a novel, an author must develop original characters within an exciting, page-turning plot. **Write Your First Novel** teaches learners how to create and complete a 50,000-word novel from the ground up. From start to finish, this course shows budding authors how to create ideas, develop characters, craft plots, and bring fictional worlds to life.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Freelance Writer

Freelance writers use words to craft persuasive, compelling, and entertaining content. They work across a range of formats, from social media posts and scripts to articles, press releases, blog and website content, and proposals. **Write Your First Novel** provides freelance writers with a framework for developing narratives and telling engaging stories. The discipline and writing practice this course provides can help freelance writers improve their ability to meet client expectations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Screenwriter

Screenwriters turn stories and ideas into structured and engaging scripts for film, television, and digital platforms. **Write Your First Novel** provides screenwriters with essential skills, including storytelling, character development, and dialogue writing. The course also introduces the process of creating a logline and a dramatic question, which are commonly used in the movie and television industries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Journalist

Journalists write articles, stories, and other content that informs and educates the public. They gather, verify, and report information on current events and issues. **Write Your First Novel** can help aspiring journalists develop strong storytelling abilities and learn how to craft narratives and engage readers through the power of words.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Creative Director

Creative directors oversee the creative vision and execution of advertising campaigns, marketing materials, and other creative projects. They work closely with teams of writers, designers, and other creative professionals to bring ideas to life. **Write Your First Novel** can help creative directors strengthen their storytelling skills and develop a deeper understanding of narrative structure and character development.

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Content Manager

Content managers plan, create, and manage content for websites, social media, and other digital platforms. By understanding how to craft engaging narratives, content managers can improve the quality and impact of their content. **Write Your First Novel** can help content managers become more effective storytellers and create content that resonates with audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Manager

Teacher

Teachers educate and inspire students at all levels. In addition to subject matter expertise, teachers need strong communication and storytelling skills to engage students and make learning enjoyable and memorable. **Write Your First Novel** provides teachers with tools and techniques for developing narratives and creating captivating lesson plans.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. **Write Your First Novel** can help marketing managers enhance their ability to tell compelling stories and connect with customers on an emotional level.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage the reputation of companies and organizations. They write press releases, speeches, and other communications materials designed to shape public opinion. **Write Your First Novel** can strengthen public relations specialists' ability to tell engaging stories and communicate effectively with the media.

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Speechwriter

Speechwriters craft speeches and presentations for public figures, including politicians, business leaders, and celebrities. **Write Your First Novel** provides speechwriters with a framework for developing narratives and writing speeches that connect with audiences and inspire action.

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Fiction Writer

Fiction writers create original stories and novels. They use their imagination and creativity to develop compelling characters, engaging plots, and immersive worlds. **Write Your First Novel** provides fiction writers with a structured approach to writing a novel and helps them refine their storytelling skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fiction Writer

Copywriter

Copywriters create written content for various marketing and advertising materials, such as websites, brochures, and social media posts. **Write Your First Novel** helps copywriters improve their storytelling abilities and learn how to craft compelling written content that engages readers.

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Novelist

Novelists write and publish full-length novels. They create original characters, develop engaging plots, and craft immersive worlds. **Write Your First Novel** provides aspiring novelists with a step-by-step guide to writing and completing a novel, from generating ideas to polishing the final manuscript.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Poet

Poets use words to create beautiful and evocative language. They write poems that express emotions, tell stories, and explore the human experience. **Write Your First Novel** can help poets develop their storytelling skills and learn how to craft compelling narratives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Poet