“A plot demands intelligence and memory also,” E.M. Forster wrote. “Memory and intelligence are closely connected, for unless we remember we cannot understand.”

In this 8-week course, you’ll learn the secrets of crafting a compelling novel plot. Here are a few things we’ll cover in written and video lectures:

• Ditch the outline and die deep into character and situation, discovering your plot as you go.
• Create a story chart to flesh out scenes, characters, and subplots.
• Learn how to create suspense in literary and genre novels.
• Understand how chapters fit into the bigger picture.
• Discover the secrets of pacing and patterning.

Course Structure: Each week, you’ll receive a video and written lecture, along with supplementary reading and an assignment.

Goals and Outcomes: You will leave this class with a clear understanding of various methods of plot development, as well as a map for completing your book.

Critique options: This course is available either with or without critique. If you opt for critique, you will submit your weekly assignments to me, and at the end of the course you will submit a chapter or chapters of up to 5,000 words. If you don’t choose the critique option, you will still have access to all video and written lectures, as well as discussion forums, but you won’t submit assignments or a final chapter to me. You can always sign up without critique and add the critique later.

Dates: This is a self-paced course. Your first module, PLOTTING FROM CHAPTER ONE, will be accessible immediately upon enrollment. You will receive a new module with video and written lectures, assignments, and supplemental reading every week. The course is designed to be done week by week, but if you would prefer to receive the entire course all at once, just let me know.

A superb follow-up to NaNoWriMo, suitable for beginning and intermediate writers who want to begin a novel or continue work on a novel-in progress

GO HERE TO ENROLL in PLOTTING THE NOVEL

Do you want to learn the basics of narrative craft before jumping into a novel? Start with WRITING FICTION, a self-paced class that covers characterization, dialogue, point of view, description, research, and revision.