Tom
An Old Friend
Online coarse for How To Write and Edit a Novel
Class Lessons:
1. Click here to access Lesson #1 - This lesson teaches the foundation needed to prevent writers from burning out, or ending up with writers block. Writing Skills: Cutting extra words from your writing without diluting the story.
**This lesson is available for preview.**
2. Creative Writing: Turn Ideas into a Novel. - This step-by-step lesson outlines the process needed to write a marketable novel. Writing Skills: Introduction to mapping.
** This lesson is available for preview.**
3. Plot - This lesson teaches how plots can give your novel the edge? Use subplots create tension? What plots sell in today's market?
Writing; Read real synopses from actual booksales
** This lesson is available for preview.**
4. Advanced Plot & Storyboarding - This lesson teaches writers how to write a balnced novel, meet market demands, and prevent writer's block. Writing Skills: Weave the main plot and subplots into a smooth page turner.
5. Characters - Create a character outline which includes motive, reaction, and want vs. needs. Discuss the ideal of Good vs Evil. Included; A personality chart similar to those used by employment agencies. Writing Skills: Write three dimensional dialogue.
6. Dialogue - This lesson teaches how to remove passive voice, narration, and back story by writing good dialogue. The rules are presented in clear brief explanations. Writing Skills: Use dialogue to drive the reader forward.
7. Point of View and Choosing a Publisher - Eliminate headhopping and weak scenes by understanding the purpose of POV. An explanation of each publishing venues is offered with advantages and disadvantages. Writing Skills: We will edit part of your novel.
8. Create a Good Setting - The set creates emotion, tension, and intensifies conflict. Put a character in the wrong setting, and readers feel the conflicts and resolutions are contrived. Writing Skills: Understand what descriptions are needed, and what will bog the reader down.
9. How to Create a Scene - Hooks, suspense, conflict, setting, POV, closure, and plot points must all mix together to create a riviting scene. Writing Skills: Make a scene readers can escape into. We will also work on a scene from your novel.
10. Don't do this . . . - Avoid the mistakes which scream. "New author." This lesson also includes a list of things which result in a rejection before the editor even reads your submission. Writing skills: Cutting words, cutting passive voice, and basic self-editing.
11. Part 2: The Art of Writing a Novel. - Write a better novel by using hooks, action/reaction, internal and external plots, and knowing the difference between spoonfeeding and narrating. Writing Skills: Edit your first scene for hooks, passive voice, and to eliminate spoonfeeding.
12. Improve Your Writing: Show don't Tell - This lesson deals heavily with active/passive voice. Showing is a skill which cuts down passive narration in your writing and is the cornerstone of the 'Breakout Novel.' Writing Skills: Practice writing in Active voice.
13. Pacing - When is there too much action, or too much conflict? Pacing can create, or ruin the readers feelings of suspense, romance, or fear. Writing Skills: There are four assignments exploring the differences between fast and slow pacing.
14. Suspense and Endings. - Every genre uses suspense. Writing good suspense and endings will not only hook readers, but will help you sell your novel. Writing Skills: Use style, suspense, and endings to improve your own writing.
15. Stakes/Suspense/No Cheap Shot Endings - Making an editor want more is easy. Raise the stakes to hook them emotionally, and then include cause and effect. Last, create the ending they want. Writing Skills: Do you self-edit well? Find out, and learn how.
16. More Class Lessons...