If you’ve ever had the dream, the desire or even just a vague notion that you would like to write a novel, this course is for you. Whether you are a full-time student, have a full-time job, a family to take care of or all of the above, you can do it. Really! And I will help you get there.
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In this Course, you will write your first novel. Many people say they have often thought about writing a novel and are planning to do it someday, but very few ever actually do. However, in this course, you will do it. You will learn how to form a basic idea, any idea, into a structure and discipline that will allow you to create, write and complete a fully-realized novel ready to submit for publication.
As part of my Transmedia Writing course, learners write the first two chapters of a novel. Learner Review from Transmedia Writing:
“I was toying with this idea of writing a book then I found this course Transmedia Writing through Coursera. This course really pushed me to my limits and it is an eye opener for me that there are goals that I can still achieve and accomplish through the world of writing. It was a challenging, very thorough and very detailed course but completing it was a very rewarding experience. This course really exceeded my expectations.”
In Write Your First Novel, you’ll learn to break down your creative endeavor into components and you’ll discover a process that will allow you to do what few have done: produce and complete a full-length work of fiction in the form of a 50,000-word novel.
I am a proponent of experiential learning (also known as active learning). My lectures are short and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a writer. I will guide you, I will show you how to get there, hopefully I will inspire you. You will learn through your own activity - which is writing! I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write!
Learner Review from Transmedia Writing:
“I completed your Transmedia Writing course and I wanted to thank you for your encouragement throughout the course… you told us to keep writing diligently and finish our novel. Well… I finally finished writing all 20 chapters of my book!”
Writing fiction is a truly beautiful thing. Putting your own words on a page to tell a story which enters your readers minds and allows them to share the thoughts, emotions and lives of your characters is a very satisfying, rewarding experience.
What You Will Learn
- You will learn how to write and complete a full-length novel of 50,000 words. You will have a finished manuscript in hand at the end of the course.
Syllabus
Week 1
Creating the idea for your novel
In Week One you will create a concept for your original novel, your own Intellectual Property (IP). You will write up a pitch document, post it and review the pitches of five of your peers. You will also create a Logline and a Dramatic Question for your novel, post those documents, review the work of five of your peers and revise your own work with the feedback you get from your peers
Week 2
Create your character profiles and outline Chapter One
In Week Two you will create profiles for your major characters and write up an outline for the first chapter of your novel.
Week 3
Write Chapter One
In Week Three you will begin writing your novel.
Week 4
Write Chapter Two
In Week Four you will write the second chapter of your novel.
Week 5
Write Chapter Three
In Week Five you will write the third chapter of your novel.
Week 6
Write Chapter Four
In Week six you will write the fourth chapter of your novel.
Week 7
Write Chapter Five
In Week Seven you will write the fifth chapter of your novel.
Week 8
Write Chapter Six
In Week Eight you will write the sixth chapter of your novel.
Week 9
Write Chapter Seven
In Week Nine you will write the seventh chapter of your novel.
Week 10
Table Read Chapters One to Seven
In Week Ten, you have the week off from writing. This week, you will get together with a few friends and read Act One, the first seven chapters of your novel,
Week 11
Write Chapter Eight
In Week Eleven you will write the eighth chapter of your novel.
Week 12
Write Chapter Nine
In Week Twelve you will write the ninth chapter of your novel.
Week 13
Write Chapter Ten
In Week Thirteen you will write the tenth chapter of your novel.
Week 14
Write Chapter Eleven
In Week Fourteen you will write the eleventh chapter of your novel.
Week 15
Write Chapter Twelve
In Week Fifteen you will write the twelfth chapter of your novel.
Week 16
Write Chapter Thirteen
In Week Sixteen you will write the thirteenth chapter of your novel.
Week 17
Write Chapter Fourteen
In Week Seventeen you will write the fourteenth chapter of your novel.
Week 18
Table Read Chapters Eight to Fourteen
In Week Eighteen, you have another week off from writing. This week, you will again get together with a few friends and read chapters Eight through Fourteen, Act Two of your novel.
Week 19
Write Chapter Fifteen
In Week Nineteen you will begin the final Act of Your Novel
Week 20
Write Chapter Sixteen
In Week Twenty you will write the sixteenth chapter of your novel.
Week 21
Write Chapter Seventeen
In Week Twenty-One you will write the seventeenth chapter of your novel.
Week 22
Write Chapter Eighteen
In Week Twenty-Two you will write the eighteenth chapter of your novel.
Week 23
Write Chapter Nineteen
In Week Twenty-Three you will write the nineteenth chapter of your novel.
Week 24
Write Chapter Twenty
In Week Twenty-Four you will write the final chapter of your novel.
Week 25
Table Read Chapters Fifteen to Twenty
In Week Twenty-Five you will take another week off from writing and table read the final act of your novel.
Week 26
Submit Your Finished Novel
In Week-Twenty Six you will submit your completed, polished novel. You will also write a prologue for your novel and a synopsis to submit to agents.
