Building a Foundation for Writing your Fiction Novel
Title: Building a Foundation for Writing your Fiction Novel
Prerequisites: None
Purpose: Many people have a novel in them, but don’t know how to get it onto the paper. To write a novel is to undertake a long and sometimes strenuous journey. Success is more certain if a writer prepares for your adventure. Learn the secrets of the pros to increase your odds of success.
This class will present both writing skills and the writer’s mindset for those who have a novelist’s spirit but no writing training or experience. Classes will include in-class writing exercises as well as lectures.
Outline:
Class one: A place to write
Explore physical places and tools that writers use and discover what fits you best. Establish a writer’s attitude about your place in the writing world.
Class two: Setting/World Building:
Develop the setting for your novel.
Learn how to use your story’s environment as symbolism to make your story stronger
Explore how much description is too much or too little and how to affect pacing with setting
Become aware and learn to look at your everyday environment with a writer’s eye
Class three and four: Character Building
Learn the purpose of major characters, secondary characters, walk-on characters
Develop 3-dimensional characters that keep your readers interested in your story
Develop realistic dialogue for your time setting/world
Learn about Point of View and how to use this important tool to elevate your story to professional caliber
Class five and six: Plot
Explore traditional plotting techniques
Learn what should be included and not included in beginnings, middles and ends
Develop techniques for moving from one scene to the next scene for best effect
Explore the techniques of showing versus telling a story, essential for keeping your story moving and keeping your reader turning the page
Put all the elements together to create a novel
