"If you want to write fiction, the best thing you can do is take two aspirins, lie down in a dark room, and wait for the feeling to pass. If it persists, you probably ought to write a novel."
—Lawrence Block,
Writing the Novel From Plot to Print
Read what students are saying about this class.
Whether you write short fiction, nonfiction, memoir or poetry, chances are you’ve dreamed of some day writing a novel. Most writers feel they have at least one novel in them longing to get out. But the idea of actually writing something as long and complex as a novel can seem overwhelming. It needn’t be—if you have a plan and someone who has successfully negotiated this literary minefield to guide your way.
In this workshop you will work with a published novelist to develop an idea suitable for a novel. When you are finished, you will have developed a working outline for your entire novel and you will have written and revised the opening chapters (up to 12,000 words) with your instructor’s feedback. In order to get the most from this workshop, you should already have a very good grasp of mechanics and composition, as well as an understanding of basic fiction-writing skills and techniques (the Fundamentals of Fiction Writing Workshop is strongly recommended as a preliminary).
This workshop will consist of seven two-week sessions. Each session will include online lectures and associated textbook reading assignments, along with a writing assignment specifically related to your novel, which will be submitted to the instructor for private review at the end of the first week of the session. During the second week of each session, work will be posted for group review and feedback. Throughout the workshop you will be able to participate in asynchronous lecture discussion and encouraged to take advantage of ongoing informal discussions and posted self-directed writing exercises.(2.8 CEUs)
| Workshop length: |
Fourteen Weeks |
| Textbook(s) to purchase: |
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, compiled and edited by Meg Leder, Jack Heffron, and the Editors of Writer's Digest (Writer's Digest Books) (If you are unable to locate this text, contact us for purchase information.) |
| Course Developer: |
Donna Levin |
| Tuition: |
$425.00 |
Workshop Outline
Session One: From Concept to Novel Idea
Novel genres & categories; How is a novel different from a short story? Idea development using the "What If?" strategy; Components of a completely developed novel idea
Writing Assignment: A narrative summary of the novel you'll be working on in this workshop (maximum 750 words).
Session Two: Your Cast of Characters & Points of View
Choosing your main character; Character Building; Selection of your viewpoint character(s) and POV; Dialogue
Writing Assignment: Your cast of characters with a brief description of each one's role in the story (maximum 500 words); A scene that shows at least two of your important characters interacting, using the techniques discussed in this session (maximum 500 words).
Session Three: Setting & Plot
The function of setting; Weaving setting description into your novel; Using setting to generate plot ideas; Six questions to help you plot your novel
Writing Assignment: A description of your setting and a brief explanation of how it functions in your novel; A working outline of your novel's main plot elements (maximum 1,500 words).
Session Four: Scenes
The function of scenes in a novel; Review of dramatic and nondramatic scenes; Narration; How to break your novel into scenes; Flashbacks
Writing Assignment: A pivotal scene, or series of connected scenes from your novel (maximum 1,500 words).
Session Five: The Opening Pages
Narrative hooks; The importance of the opening pages; Where to begin; Introducing your main character(s) and establishing the time and place of your story
Writing Assignment: The opening pages of your novel (maximum 3,000 words).
Session Six: A Plan for Finishing Your Novel
A plan for completing the first draft; Developing the complications; Keeping the reader holding on until the very end; Tying up all the loose threads
Writing Assignment:The next 3,000 words of your novel (or a revision of the first 3,000 words based on the feedback you've received).
Session Seven: Keep Writing
Workshop wrap-up
Writing Assignment: The opening chapters of your novel, either picking up where you left off with the Session Six assignment, or starting from the beginning and incorporating revisions (maximum 6,000 words total).