Fundamentals of Fiction Writing

Give voices and stories to the characters that fill your imagination. Whether your fantasies take the form of short stories or a novel, this workshop prepares you to write fiction. You will apply the techniques that generations of fiction writers have used to bring their characters and stories to life. You will also develop your individual style and creative expression.

You will work with a published fiction author to write and revise short stories or a novel chapter, up to 3000 words total.

Course level:  Beginner / Intermediate

Required Book:  Fiction Writer’s Workshop by Josip Novakovich

Workshop Length:  12 weeks

Tuition:  $350.00 ($315 for VIP)

Start Date: View Fundamentals of Fiction Writing Course Schedule

Course Structure
This workshop will consist of six two-week sessions. Each session will include online lectures (text based) and associated textbook reading assignments, along with writing assignments incorporating the techniques learned in the session, which you will submit 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 and creativity exercises. (2.4 CEUs)

You will learn:

  • How to develop believable characters and let them speak – and act – for themselves.
  • How to set the stage, and make readers feel as if they are right there with your characters.
  • The basics of plot – enough to tackle any kind of fiction project.
  • The keys to successful revisions.

Who should take this course:

  • Individuals interested in fiction writing (any genre)
  • Writers who want to learn key components of successful fiction writing and numerous time-tested techniques
  • Beginning fiction writers who would like a Published Author to help guide and coach them as they pursue their writing goals

Register for Fundamentals of Fiction Writing Workshop

Course Outline

Session One: Getting Started

  • Q&A to get you started
  • The role of setting in fiction
  • Setting description
  • How setting relates to plot
  • How setting relates to theme

Writing Assignment: A 500-word scene where setting is of primary importance.

Session Two: Character Building

  • Creating believable characters
  • External and internal “markers”
  • Drawing characters from life

Writing Assignment: “Profiles” of two characters, preferably in opposition to each other (maximum 250 words each).

Session Three: Characterization & Point of View

  • Characterization techniques: narrative, dialogue, action
  • Choosing—and maintaining—a point of view

Writing Assignment: Three characterization “studies” (preferably of one of the characters from Session Two), using each of the three characterization techniques discussed (maximum 250 words each).

Session Four: Dialogue

  • The function of dialogue in fiction
  • Writing realistic dialogue
  • Attribution
  • Voice
  • Dialect
  • General rules of dialogue usage

Writing Assignment: A 500-word first-person scene of dialogue (and related action) between two-three characters; The same scene, rewritten in limited third-person from a different character’s viewpoint.

Session Five: Plot

  • What is Plot?
  • Conflict
  • Units of plot
  • Scenes

Writing Assignment: Write a series of connected scenes, up to 2,000 words maximum, using the techniques described in this session.

Session Six: Polishing Your Prose

  • Drafts
  • The key to successful revisions

Writing Assignment: A complete short story, two to three short-short stories, or a novel chapter (maximum 3,000 words total).