Transmedia Writing from Coursera

Do you have a desire to write a novel, write a screenplay, design a video game? In this project-centered course you will develop your own, original, intellectual property (IP) into a transmedia project containing written versions of your IP on various platforms. You will begin your novel, adapt the first chapters of your novel into the opening scenes of a film or TV show and create a game design concept of your IP.

Learner review: "So much AMAZING information! The teacher and content are wonderful. Learned so much!"

This is a course is based in "Active Learning" so that most of the actual learning takes place within your own activities - that is, writing! You will learn by doing.

I am a proponent of experiential learning (also known as active learning). My lectures are short and succinct, 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, but I won’t show you how to write or what to write. That is up to you, you are the only one who can illustrate your creative thoughts, by writing them! I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write. You need to unleash your creativity and my plan is to help you to do exactly that!

Learner review: "This is the most challenging writing course that I have done so far! But, it actually made me write the first two chapters of my novel and now, I am now looking forward to finishing the novel and getting it published."

All of the assignments on this course are peer review. At each stage of the process, whether creating your novel, your screenplay or your video game, you will post your written work and review the works of your peers. Peer review is an extremely important element of this course. Giving feedback and getting feedback is essential to the development of your critical thinking and your growth as a writer. It is as important as the writing itself.

This course is designed to tap into your creativity and help you to develop your skills in expressing that creativity through written words.

Learner review: "It made me stay up to 4AM a few times, but its incredible. You will learn a lot, and it is a very fun class"

Writing is a truly beautiful, amazing, satisfying thing. Imagine, 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. It is a very rewarding experience.

Learner review: "This course really pushed me to my limits and it is an eye opener for me that there are goals that I can still achieve and accomplish through the world of writing."

What's inside

Syllabus

Develop Your Transmedia Concept

In Module 1 you will create your Transmedia Intellectual Property (your IP), you will write a logline (a single sentence that describes the essence of your IP) and define the Dramatic Question of your IP

Write The First Chapter Of Your Novel

In Module 2 you will begin your novel. You will design a Profile of your Main Characters, create an outline for your First Chapter, you will learn about point of view and syntax for writing a novel and you will write the First Chapter of your Novel.

Write Chapter Two Of Your Novel

In Module 3 you will outline the second chapter of your novel and you will write Chapter Two

Adapt Chapter One To The Opening Scenes Of Your Screenplay

In Module 4 you will begin your screenplay. You will write an outline of your adaptation of Chapter One of your novel into the opening scenes of your screenplay, you will learn about screenplay format and film grammar, you will become familiar with free screenplay software and you will write the opening scenes of your screenplay.

Adapt Chapter Two Into Screenplay Format

In Module 5 you will write a detailed outline of your screenplay adaptation of Chapter Two of your novel, then you will write the scenes for the screenplay version of Chapter Two.

Transform Your IP Into a Concept for a Game Design

In Module 6 you will create a Design Document to pitch your video game concept. You will learn about various types of video games with a focus on narrative games, write a description of the game version of your IP and you will create a full pitch document for your video game.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for aspiring writers seeking multi-faceted experience in creating across platforms, including novel, screenplay, and video game

Involves active learning through practical application, fostering creativity and writing skills

Provides a step-by-step approach guided by an experienced writing instructor

Emphasizes the importance of peer review, facilitating critical thinking and growth as a writer

Covers a range of essential writing skills, including developing transmedia concepts, writing compelling narratives, and creating video game designs

Taught by an instructor with a strong track record in the field of writing

Reviews summary

Develop transmedia writing skills

Learners say this course is a good way to learn how to write for multiple platforms, with structured deadlines. Beginners will need to do additional research for a deeper dive. There are positive remarks about the instructor's background and enthusiasm for the material. Reviews are critical of the lack of feedback from the instructor, problems with peer review, and a subjective grading system.

The instructor has extensive experience in each media and is knowledgeable.

"The instructor has extensive experience in each media and is very knowledgeable"

"The instructor gives you guidance and a timeline to keep you motivated"

"To get all the work done with depth - that will turn this course into, at least, 6 months."

A helpful course for beginners to get started with transmedia writing.

"This course is very useful for beginners"

"For beginners (like me) to dig into it in depth, we must do all the research on our own"

"I learned a lot about just about everything this course covers"

Provides a comprehensive overview of writing for different platforms.

"Very good way to develop three forms of writing with scripts, novels and game development with the same theme"

"I learned how to develop the same story on different platforms or needs depending on the business that comes along"

"If all one (as a beginner) wishes is to get a feel for what writing Transmedia means, and doesn't care about seriously digging in depth into it"

The instructor does not provide enough personal feedback on student work.

"Would like if there was a bit more of relevant feedback aspect from the mentor rather than peers"

"Videos from the facilitator are uninformative and spends more time reminding you to review your peers"

The peer review system is flawed and can be subjective.

"The peer review system is terrible, as you could spend more time trying to get people to review your work (if there are enough) rather than doing the work itself"

"First, the evaluations are often based on wheter the person likes the project, which makes it incredibly subjective and not objective"

"Moreover, the reviewers are often incompetent and make clear mistakes during their evaluation, making us lose points even though we were right"

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 Transmedia Writing with these activities:

Review novel writing

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Sharpening your novel writing skills will let you start the course with a stronger understanding of the foundational concepts involved in writing a novel.

Browse courses on Novel Writing

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Review the elements of a novel
Read model novels and analyze their structure and style

Read 'Save the Cat!' by Jessica Brody

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This book provides valuable insights into screenwriting structure and character development, which are essential for adapting your novel into a screenplay.

View Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes on key concepts and techniques

Develop a character profile

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Creating a detailed character profile will help you develop well-rounded and believable characters for your novel, screenplay, and game design.

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Brainstorm and research potential character traits and motivations
Write a detailed description of your character's physical appearance, personality, and backstory
Consider how your character interacts with others and influences the plot

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Write a short story based on your intellectual property

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Writing a short story based on your IP will help you explore your ideas and test your storytelling abilities in a smaller, more manageable format.

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Outline the plot and key events of your story
Write a draft of your short story
Revise and edit your story for clarity and impact

Practice writing dialogue

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Dialogue is a crucial element of any transmedia project. Practicing writing effective dialogue will enhance the believability and engagement of your characters.

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Study examples of well-written dialogue in novels, screenplays, and plays
Create exercises to practice writing dialogue in different scenarios and contexts
Get feedback on your dialogue from peers or experienced writers

Attend a workshop on character development

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Attending a workshop on character development can provide you with valuable insights and techniques for creating compelling characters for your transmedia project.

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Research and identify relevant workshops in your area or online
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and exercises
Apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to your own writing

Compile a resource library on writing techniques

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Building a resource library of writing techniques will provide you with a valuable reference for improving your writing skills throughout your transmedia project.

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Search for articles, books, and online resources on various writing techniques
Organize and categorize the resources in a way that makes them easy to access
Review the resources regularly and apply the techniques to your writing

Mentor aspiring writers

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Mentoring aspiring writers can enhance your understanding of writing principles and provide valuable support to aspiring writers.

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Volunteer to mentor aspiring writers through organizations or online forums
Provide constructive criticism and guidance to help mentees develop their writing skills
Share your own experiences and insights to inspire and support mentees

Career center

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

Video Game Designer

Video game designers create the concepts and storylines for video games. This course can help you develop the skills you need to design a video game. You will learn how to create a game concept, design levels, and write dialogue. The course will help you build a strong foundation in game design. You will learn how to design games for a variety of platforms, including mobile, console, and PC.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Designer

Novelist

Novelists write and publish fictional stories. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write a novel. You will learn how to create engaging characters, develop a plot, and write in a variety of genres. The course will help you build a strong foundation in creative writing. You will learn how to write in a variety of styles and genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Novelist

Screenwriter

Screenwriters write scripts for movies and television shows. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write a screenplay. You will learn how to format a screenplay, develop a plot, and write dialogue. The course will help you build a strong foundation in screenwriting. You will learn how to write in a variety of styles and genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Journalist

Journalists write news stories and articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write clear, concise, and accurate news stories. You will learn how to research a story, interview sources, and write in a variety of styles. The course will help you build a strong foundation in journalism. You will learn how to write in a variety of styles and genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Technical Writer

Technical writers create instruction manuals and other documentation for software, products, and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write clear, concise, and engaging technical documents. You will be able to apply these skills to a variety of careers in the tech industry. The course will help you build a foundation in storytelling and narrative structure. You will learn how to adapt your writing to different platforms, including print, digital, and video.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Copywriter

Copywriters write advertising copy, website content, and other marketing materials. This course may help you develop the skills you need to write clear, concise, and persuasive copy. You will learn how to write for a variety of audiences and purposes. The course will help you build a strong foundation in copywriting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write press releases, speeches, and other public relations materials. You will learn how to build relationships with the media and promote your organization or client in a positive light.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Editor

Editors review, edit, and proofread written material to ensure that it is clear, concise, and error-free. This course may help you develop the skills you need to edit and proofread written material for a variety of purposes. You will learn how to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Technical Communicator

Technical communicators create and manage technical documentation. This course may help you develop the skills you need to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documents. You will learn how to use a variety of writing tools and technologies to create technical documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Communicator

Marketing Specialist

Marketing specialists develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may help you develop the skills you need to write marketing copy, create marketing materials, and manage social media accounts. You will learn how to reach your target audience and achieve your marketing goals. The course will help you build a strong foundation in copywriting and marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Social Media Manager

Social media managers plan and manage social media accounts for businesses and organizations. This course may help you develop the skills you need to create and manage social media content that is engaging and shareable. You will learn how to use a variety of social media marketing techniques to reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Content Strategist

Content strategists plan and manage content for websites, blogs, and other digital platforms. This course may help you develop the skills you need to create and manage content that is relevant, engaging, and shareable. You will learn how to use a variety of content marketing techniques to reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist

Instructional Designer

Instructional designers create and develop educational materials. This course may help you develop the skills you need to design and develop instructional materials for a variety of audiences and purposes. You will learn how to use a variety of instructional design models and theories to create effective learning experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

User Experience Designer

User experience designers create and design user interfaces for websites, apps, and other digital products. This course may help you develop the skills you need to design user interfaces that are easy to use and visually appealing. You will learn how to use a variety of design tools and techniques to create user-centered designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Grant Writer

Grant writers write proposals to secure funding for organizations and projects. This course may help you develop the skills you need to write clear, persuasive, and well-organized grant proposals. You will learn how to identify funding opportunities, research potential funders, and write proposals that meet funder requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer