What you'll learn
- Identify and recognise the six different types of plot twist.
- Generate your own ideas and use them to outline and create your own twist stories.
- Understand how to edit, proofread and submit your story.
Requirements
- It helps to have some knowledge of story elements such as plot, characterisation, setting and dialogue, but is not essential.
- An understanding of fiction writing terms is useful, but not required (a glossary of terms will be provided as part of the course).
Description
In this course you will learn everything you need to know to develop twist plots that you can use in short stories or in a novel.
Twist stories can be a very lucrative form of writing, and they are also great fun to write. Write Stories With a Twist covers all of the techniques and tips you will need for success. By the end of the course you will understand exactly how twist plots work and be in a position to create twist stories of your own.
Here's what you'll learn in the course:
- Why twist stories are so lucrative.
- The importance of researching the writing markets for twist stories
- The six types of twist: the Unreliable Narrator, Reversal of Identity, Reversal of Motive, Reversal of Perception, Reversal of Achievement, and Reversal of Fortune.
- We will analyse several story examples, including The Gift of the Magi by O Henry and The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant.
- How to create a twist, and then twist again.
- Building on your initial twist idea.
- Creating a story outline.
- How to sow clues in your story.
- The way to misdirect your readers.
- Plots and storylines to avoid.
- Novel v short story.
- Editing your work.
- Proofreading tips (with a proofreading exercise to test your skills).
- Discover how to submit your work to an editor, publisher or agent.
- And finally, complete an end of course quiz.
There's also a glossary and recommended reading list with the course.
You’ll learn by listening to lectures, completing writing exercise and reading downloadable handouts and other materials. You’ll apply the things you learn in the lectures by reading and analysing stories to find out how they have been put together.
Quite simply, this course has everything you need to learn how to write stories with a twist.
And of course it comes with Udemy's 30-day money back guarantee - so if you're not completely satisfied with the course, you can ask for your money back, no questions asked. So what have you got to lose?
The course is taught by a qualified writer with over 25 years of fiction writing experience.
Who this course is for:
- This course is for writers who have a particular interest in learning how to create plots with a twist - for use in either short stories or novels.
- Some previous experience of writing fiction will be an advantage, but is not essential.
Course content
- Preview04:28
- 03:15Why twist?
- 06:04Do your research
Instructor
![Jane Bettany](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 1,081 Reviews
- 7,562 Students
- 3 Courses
Jane's debut crime novel In Cold Blood will be published by HQ (part of Harper Collins) in September 2020. She has written short stories and non-fiction articles that have been published in women's magazines in the UK (such as My Weekly, The Weekly News, The People's Friend, Yours and Woman's Weekly), as well as in literary magazines and newspapers.
Her journey as a writer began with a childhood love of reading and books. As an adult, she enrolled for an evening class in creative writing and began to produce short stories. Her first story was published in 1992.
In 2004 Jane completed an MA in Creative Writing, which she found both challenging and enjoyable because it gave her an opportunity to try different genres and experiment with writing styles.
Jane has been a teacher of creative writing since 2007, and is always amazed at how much talent is out there and how many untold stories are waiting to be written. She loves helping others to develop their short story skills and find their writing voice.
Jane is based in Derby the UK. As well as writing and teaching, for ten years she ran a publishing and communications company. Jane is now focussing full-time on her writing, including her crime novels.