About This Course
Build a strong foundation for your novel in this practical, inspiring eight-week course.
(2023 pricing available through November 20, 2023)
Learn how to craft a compelling premise, create complicated characters, choose the best point of view, plot and structure your novel, build great scenes, write convincing dialogue, and more. Foundations of the Novel is designed for beginning novelists and taught by a New York Times bestselling author.
You will have access to the first module the moment you enroll. Each week, you will get a new set of lessons and assignments.
There are no live sessions, so you can complete the lessons at your own pace.
Course Outline
Week 1: The Heart of the Novel: Situation and Story
Week 2: It Starts With Character: Crafting a Compelling Protagonist and Worthy Antagonist
Week 3: Point of View: Choosing the Voice & Distance of Your Narrative
Week 4: Setting and Description: Giving Your Reader a Place to Land
Week 5: Nail Your Genre: How Genre Influences Narrative Choices
Week 6: Get Them Talking: How to Write Great Dialogue
Week 7: How to Write Great Scenes: Understanding the Building Blocks of Story
Week 8: The Shape of the Story: Plotting and Structuring Your Novel
What you get when you join
Foundations of Novel Writing
Weekly Lessons and Assignments: Each week, you will receive at least two written and two video lessons, plus an assignment. You will have access to all lessons and assignments for six months, so if you miss a week or two, you can go back and catch up.
Discussion Forum: Throughout the course, you will have access to the discussion forum, where you can interact with your classmates and the instructor.
Personal interaction with an internationally bestselling author and veteran writing teacher: This course is taught by an award-winning New York Times bestselling novelist with extensive teaching and publishing experience. Scroll down to see the instructor bio.
Clear progress: Upon the completion of the course, you will have a clear idea of your novel's situation, an understanding of your protagonist and antagonist, and a clear point of view and setting for your story. You will also a strong first chapter, a working scene list, and a plan for your book.
About the Instructor
Michelle Richmond is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels and two story collections. Her books have been published in 31 languages. She has taught in the Masters of Fine Arts Programs in creative writing at the University of San Francisco, California College of the Arts, Bowling Green State University, Notre Dame de Namur University, and St. Mary's College of Moraga. She has also designed and taught online novel writing courses for Stanford Continuing Studies. A native of Alabama's Gulf Coast, she makes her home in Northern California.
She is the founder and publisher of Fiction Attic Press.
