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Learn to Write a Novel
2 students

Learn to Write a Novel

Learn everything about writing a novel, from planning to publishing.
Last updated 7/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • Learn how to start writing a novel.
  • Decide what to write about.
  • Thoroughly outline and plan a novel.
  • Create engaging, authentic characters.
  • Create meaningful settings and plot structures.
  • Master writing style.
  • Master writing grammar.
  • Master editing.
  • Learn how to seek publishing.
  • Learn how to sell your novel.

Course content

1 section • 12 lectures • 4h 29m total length
  • Introduction and How to Decide What to Write About22:15

    This is an introduction to the course, and an exploration of why we tell stories. Also learn how to decide on what to write your novel about.

  • Outlining Your Characters, Setting, and Plot26:31

    Learn how to outline your novel, including the characters, setting, and plot.

  • Choosing a Point of View24:59

    Learn all about the various points of view you can use to write your novel.

  • Choosing a Verb Tense and English Verb Review23:24

    Learn about the verb tenses you can write in. We also have a brief English verb review.

  • Theme, Tone, and Mood16:20

    Learn all about the theme, tone, and mood of your novel.

  • Tone and Mood Examples and General Plot Summary12:53

    We look at examples of tone and mood from literature and learn how to write your general plot summary with an example to follow.

  • The Hero's Journey and Plot/Story Structures32:22

    Learn about The Hero's Journey and several other story structures and decide which one you want to use.

  • Writing Your First Chapter26:43

    It's time to write your first chapter! Learn about the different ways to start a novel, and how to engage and hook the reader.

  • Developing Your Writing Style19:29

    Learn about writing style: Germanic versus Latinate English words and how they work.

  • Sentence Length for Style Part 118:43

    A brief grammar lesson on joining sentence together to improve writing style.

  • Sentence Length for Style Part 221:44

    A brief grammar lesson on joining sentence together to improve writing style.

  • Field Trip: Writing Software and Character Sketches23:52

    We take a small "field trip" to talk about writing software and look at my own character sketches.

Requirements

  • No writing experience necessary. You will learn everything you need to know to write your first novel.

Description

Many people dream of writing a novel, but have no idea where to even start or what to ever write about. Writing is an art and a science, and without understanding both, writers will struggle. By learning everything about writing novels, new writers can develop the confidence and skills to produce a polished, finished product. Writing an entire novel can seem, daunting, but by taking it step by step and breaking it down into manageable lessons, you will find that it is actually an enjoyable, creative activity.

This is a course for new writers who want to write their first novel. We will cover all aspects of writing fiction, from conceptualizing and planning, to outlining, to style, to structure, to plot, characters, and setting, to publishing marketing, to selling, and everything in between. This is a university-level, comprehensive writing course.

This course is aimed at beginning writers or people who have not done much writing but want to learn how. All you need is an imagination, the willingness to learn, and the willingness to do the work. If you love to read books and have always wanted to write your own, then this course will take you through that entire journey from beginning to end.

Who this course is for:

  • People who want to learn everything about writing, publishing, and selling a novel.