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Fundamentals of Fiction Writing: Master the Short Story
Introduction
Welcome to Fundamentals of Fiction Writing!
Let's get started...
Great Short Stories to Read and Study
Additional Readings for Writers
Coming up with story ideas (video) (7:04)
Important Notice
Module 1: Characterization
Characterization Overview (video) (7:28)
3 Methods of Character Revelation (video) (8:45)
Why Character Matters (video) (2:40)
Round vs. Flat Characters
You Have to Want Something: Protagonist & Desire
Characterization Quick Tips
MODULE 1 READING - Signs and Symbols
Background Work -- Optional: The Character Dossier
Assignment (Characterization): Crisis
Module 2 - Point of View
The Four Major Points of View (video) (8:56)
Finding Perspective - An Overview of Point of View
Point of View In-Depth
How to Handle Multiple Points of View (Video) (18:12)
Module 2 Reading: The Train
Assignment 3 (Point of View): A Terrible Deed
Assignment 4 (Point of View): Unforgettable
Quiz 2 - Point of View
Module 3 - Structure
Secrets of Story Structure (video) (7:27)
The Shape of the Story
Structure from A to E
Elements of an Ending
An Intuitive Approach to Story Movement (Video) (10:51)
Alternative and Experimental Short Story Structures
Module 3 Reading: The School
Assignment 5 (Structure): Action and beyond
Assignment 6 (Structure): A Sense of an Ending
Assignment: Playing with Alternative Structures
Quiz 3
Module 4 - Setting and Description
How to Ground Your Story (Video) (9:29)
Where Everything Happens
Engaging the Senses: Description
Module 4 Reading
Further Reading - Setting
Assignment 7 (Setting): Wanderings
Assignment 8 (Setting and Description): Visible, Visual, & Real
Optional Exercise (Description): Getting Past Abstraction
Module 5 - Plot
Pacing, Plot, Scene, & Summary (Video) (3:30)
Plotting the Story (Podcast)
Pacing & Plot
Scene vs. Summary
The Central Question
Conflict
Module 5 Reading
Assignment 9 (Plot): Scene
Assignment 10 (Plot): Summary
Assignment 11 (Plot): Conflict
QUIZ 5
Module 6 - Dialogue
Functions of Dialogue & Tips for Effective Dialogue (Video) (7:45)
Dialogue in Depth: Getting Your Characters to Talk
Tips for Writing Effective Dialogue
Module 6 Reading
Week 6 Discussion Forum
Assignment 12 (Dialogue): Saying What You Mean (or not)
Assignment 13 (Dialogue): The Unspoken Conflict
QUIZ 6
Module 7 - Voice, Theme, & Research
Human Nature, The Moral Argument, & Other Thoughts on Theme
The Sound in Your Head: On Developing Your Voice
Research and the Writing Life
Three Kinds of Research (Video) (5:26)
Week 7 Reading
Week 7 Discussion Forum
Assignment 14
Assignment 15: Theme
Module 8: Revise and Publish
How and When to Revise Your Story
Revision Checklist
First Draft vs. Final Draft (podcast)
Submitting to Literary Journals (Video) (12:22)
Submitting to Literary Journals (worksheet)
Assignment 15
Week 8 Discussion Forum
Your feedback
Onward
Module 3 Reading: The School
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