The first thing agents and editors look for is knowledge of the novel elements, including:
Characterization,
Plot and setting,
Dialogue
Point of view
In this course, you will learn tricks of the trade:
To enhance your chances of being published
So one day you will get that call from your agent telling you that she or he has an offer.
So you have to ask yourself some important questions;
Do I have an understanding of POV?
Do I know that
Omniscient means god-like, and that it's rarely used today;
Third person limited means staying in one character's POV for that scene;
Second person, although interesting in novels like Bright Lights, Big City, is best left to seasoned professionals;
First person should be avoided, at least for the first few novels.
And what about characterization?
Do I know as much about my main character as I know about myself?
Do I understand my antagonist's motivation?
The list goes on and on. During this course your work will be scrutinized and you will learn:
What all good writers know and
How to use that knowledge.
And you'll feel much better about your chances.
Click here to pay via PayPal! (No account required!)
Course Type:
Private mentoring.
Objective:
To enhance the student's chances of getting a novel published by providing him or her with in-depth and technical understanding of the novel elements:
Point of View,
Plot and Setting,
Characterization and
Dialogue.
Learner Prerequisites
A desire to write a novel!
Start Date
Ongoing, open enrollment.
Duration
4 lessons at your pace.
Limit
N/A
Class Materials
None
Cost
$225
Tutorial Option
Additional mentoring and critiquing is available from the instructor. The fee is $45 per hour. Please contact [email protected] to register.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Point of View
What is it and how does it affect my novel?
How many points of view are there?
Which one should I pick?
This interactive lesson will answer these questions and more.
Lesson 2: Plot and Setting
This interactive lesson will explore
plot movement,
sagging middles, (eve if you're not middle age)
the importance of your setting to the reader and most importantly,
how can I keep a plot interesting for all those words?
Lesson 3: Characterization
How well should I know my character?
Where do characters come from?
What about minor characters?
Protagonists and Antagonists - who's more important?
Good questions, all, and all will be answered in another interactive session.
Lesson 4: Dialogue
It's been said that dialogue is the easiest of the elements to master - nothing could be further from the truth. Written dialogue is vastly different from every day conversation.
In another interactive session, learn about
the importance (or not) of taglines;
How to bring a plot alive through dialogue;
how dialogue is action and the reverse.
Learn everything you need to know about this, the most misunderstood of the novel elements, and go ahead confident in your new-found ability.
Instructor Bio
T. Lucien Wright has published five novels, short stories and non-fiction.
He has taught the craft of writing to people of all ages for the last fifteen years.
Until recently, he was the Director of Adult Education at Writers & Books, a not for profit literary organization in Rochester, NY.
He has lectured at all levels, grade school, high school and college.
He's working on a novel about Vietnam, simply entitled, 'Nam.
He lives in Rochester with his wife of 36 years, two aged dogs, and four cantankerous cats.