Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Five Writing Lessons I Wish I Learned Sooner
Rating: 4.2 out of 5(8 ratings)
704 students

Five Writing Lessons I Wish I Learned Sooner

writing, editing, and creativity tips
Created byMark Williamson
Last updated 6/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • Encounter and counter three major obstacles to writing.
  • Balance the strengths and weaknesses of writing styles.
  • Gain practical tips on how to set up a sustainable writing quota.
  • Learn the basics of story structure and how to add it to a story.
  • Stack up useful skills in both writing and in life.
  • Explore how to have fun in the midst of the writing journey.

Course content

1 section9 lectures1h 21m total length
  • Introduction5:38

    Discover five essential writing lessons from scientist and writer Mark Williamson as he shares his journey from drafting to self-publishing, including editing, mentorship, and building a publishing business.

  • Fighting Your Way Towards Writing5:01
  • Lesson 1: Plotters versus Pantsers9:57
  • Lesson 2: Create a Quota13:23
  • Lesson 3: Learn Story Structure12:36
  • Lesson 4: Stack Up Skills14:20

    Stack up skills across life and writing by focusing on the seven critical factors of fiction—plot, structure, characters, dialogue, voice, and meaning—breaking projects into parts and practicing each element.

  • Lesson 5: Have Fun6:40
  • Lesson 6: The Six-Fingered Man11:20

    Explore the sixth lesson on doing the unexpected, drawing on the Princess Bride motif of the six-fingered man to craft twists, memorable scenes, world-building, and your unique voice.

  • Bonus2:12

Requirements

  • None.

Description

In my writing journey, I've learned a lot of lessons so far. Many of the lessons I would have loved to learn right away. So, I've picked the top lessons that I wish I had learned before getting started, to help aspiring writers move along the path towards a finished book faster.

In this training, I will start by punching through obstacles to writing. Then, I will cover the following lessons.

  1. Plotters versus Pantsers - discovering the two major types of writing styles and how to find the balance between them.

  2. Create a Quota - why getting into the habit of producing a set amount of writing output on a schedule matters and how to start.

  3. Learn Story Structure - thinking about the beginning, middle, and end of a good story, and important pieces of structure to make those parts shine.

  4. Stack up Skills - developing skills both in the writing game and in the wider arena of life that will set you apart.

  5. Have Fun - fighting against the dragon of discouragement with the sword of adventure and the shield of whimsy.

Along the way, I will include lessons from great writers such as James Scott Bell, J. R. R. Tolkien, Jordan Peterson, and Scott Adams. I will also provide examples of the lessons from books and movies, along with how I employed the lessons in my own writing. And braced yourself for the unexpected.

Who this course is for:

  • Aspiring writers, especially fiction writers.