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Writing a Book: Creative Writing Skills for Self-publishing

Name: Writing a Book: Creative Writing Skills for Self-publishing
Rating: 4.5 (2109 reviews)

Writing a book: Creative writing Fiction/Nonfiction/Page-turner: Punctuation: Outlining: World building: Self-publishing

Created byBrian Jackson

Last updated 7/2025

English

What you'll learn

Master the fundamentals of writing, including punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure, to create polished, professional prose.
Understand how to construct well-organized paragraphs that flow logically and support your overall narrative.
Develop skills for crafting clear and compelling essays that engage readers and convey your message effectively.
Learn to outline and structure your story or non-fiction book for maximum clarity and impact.
Explore techniques to write engaging beginnings that hook readers from the first sentence.
Gain confidence in creating dynamic and memorable characters that resonate with your audience.
Discover how to develop immersive settings that bring your story to life.
Master the art of pacing your narrative to maintain reader interest from start to finish.
Elevate your storytelling with advanced techniques like foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and red herrings.
Write authentic and engaging dialogue that reveals character and drives the plot forward.
Learn how to incorporate subplots seamlessly to add depth and complexity to your narrative.
Streamline the process of writing short non-fiction books, making it easy to share your ideas quickly and effectively.
Navigate the self-publishing process on Amazon, from formatting to uploading your manuscript.
Design professional-quality book covers using Microsoft PowerPoint to attract potential readers.
Discover strategies for finding and refining your unique writing style to make your work stand out.
Polish your manuscript with self-editing techniques that ensure a professional, error-free final product.
Understand how to incorporate feedback and make revisions to improve your writing.
Build the discipline and confidence needed to complete your writing projects.
Explore genre-specific storytelling strategies to meet audience expectations and genre conventions.
Learn how to market your self-published book to reach a global audience and attract repeat readers.

Course content

50 sections • 339 lectures • 33h 54m total length

Course Overview5:50
In this lecture, I provide an overview of the course contents, history and structure.
Course Resources0:33
This lecture provides an anchor point for the downloadable Resources provided in this course, including the Subplot and Pacing Tracker Excel worksheet.
How to Watch This Course4:38
In this lecture, I show you how to watch any Udemy course fast and how to leave "Notes", or bookmarks, on the video timeline so that you can return to important sections.

Introduction to How to Write a Book3:45
In this introduction lecture, you’ll get an overview of the entire book creation process and see how each step in this section fits into your journey as an author.
Research and Select a Niche or Genre8:09
In this introduction lecture, I present the Genre Venn Diagram and show how to find a niche.
Book Release Planning and Scheduling19:31
In this lecture, you’ll learn how to strategically plan and schedule your book release to maximize impact, boost visibility, and drive stronger sales from day one.
Internet Research with ChatGPT7:57
In this lecture, you’ll explore how to use ChatGPT for efficient internet research, helping you gather ideas, verify facts, and spark fresh inspiration for your writing projects.
Outline Your Book with Microsoft Word8:34
In this lecture, you’ll learn how to use Microsoft Word’s powerful outlining tools to organize your ideas and create a clear, structured roadmap for your book.
Write and Revise Your Manuscript7:08
In this lecture, you’ll discover practical strategies to write your manuscript with focus and then revise it with precision to craft a polished, compelling final draft.
Copyedit Your Finished Manuscript with Grammarly3:47
In this lecture, I demonstrate using Grammarly to copyedit your finished manuscript.
Summary of How to Write a Book1:28
In this conclusion lecture, you’ll review the key lessons from this section and see how to apply them as you move forward with your book project.

Introduction to Finding Your Style3:46
Discover your personal writing style by exploring storytelling basics: beginning, middle, and end, narration modes: first person, third person, omniscient, and plodder versus pastor outlining, finishing with a style project.
Storytelling Basics4:10
Storytelling basics, beginning with plot...
Mode of Narration7:14
An initially confusing and ultimately satisfying discussion of modes of narration.
Plotters vs Pansters2:04
An overview of plotters vs pansters.
Discovering Your Personal Writing Style5:49
Discover your personal writing style by exploring punctuation choices, including the Oxford comma, spacing, sentence length, dialogue identification, point of view, tense, and genre emphasis, and experiment with changing approaches.
Finding Your Style Section Project0:15
Summary of Finding Your Style0:46
Discover your personal writing style through storytelling basics and modes of narration, whether you’re a plotter or a pastor, then submit a sentence describing your style.

Introduction to Preparing to Write2:29
channel energy and organize ideas to prep for writing by exploring Pinterest research, setting up a personal word workflow, and outlining with index cards.
Setting Up Word7:35
Setting up word to look the way it does in my lectures.
Outlining10:02
A quick look at outlining.
Outlining with Index Cards3:44
Show how to create an outline using physical index cards and a corkboard.
Outlining with MS Word (2018 Extension)17:04
Outline fiction and nonfiction in Microsoft Word 2016 by optimizing screen layout, using the navigation pane, and building a structured hierarchy of plot, people, and places.
Preparing to Write Section Project0:13
Summary of Preparing to Write0:58
Discover how to prepare to write by organizing ideas, using Pinterest notes, setting up a word layout, and outlining with tools and index cards, readying your project outline before writing.

Introduction to Beginning to Write1:59
Begin to write by establishing a space and schedule with minimal interruptions, then start a daily journal to spark ideas and define your characters, world, and plot.
When, Where, and How4:15
A discussion of selecting when, where, and how to write.
Keeping a Journal2:59
What to write? Keep a daily journal.
Choosing the Right Word4:00
Let Microsoft Word help you to choose the right word.
Standard Story Arcs and Character Architypes8:11
Explore standard story arcs such as rags to riches, taming the monster, transformation, and quest, and identify hero, villain, anti-hero, sidekick, and wise old man or woman archetypes.
Beginning to Write Section Project0:23
Summary of Beginning to Write0:43
Start writing by setting when, where, and how, keep a journal, choose the right word, explore standard story arcs and character types, and begin the journal project.

Introduction to Writing1:26
Begin your story with the most interesting part and ride forward to reveal it. Overcome writer's block by forcing yourself to write and complete a project.
Where to Begin Your Story4:46
Begin your story at the most interesting part, not the start, using grabbing scenes and cliffhangers to hook readers, then weave backstory and worldbuilding into later chapters.
Writer's Block4:39
Dealing with the symptom of writer's block.
Write3:11
Do what you have to do to WRITE!
Writing Section Project0:03
Summary of Writing0:40
Start writing now by tackling the writing project with immediate action. Edit becomes central in the next section.

Run Microsoft Word From the Windows Taskbar8:41
In this lecture, I show how to start and stop word and save and load documents.
Word Screen Layout and Navigation7:14
In this lecture, I provide an introduction to starting Word, saving files and navigating the interface.
Optimize Your Microsoft Word Screen Layout9:21
In this lecture, I demonstrate how to optimize your Microsoft Word screen real estate to improve productivity while writing and editing.
Optimize Your Writing Environment Project0:06
In this lecture, I provide a section project for you to complete.

Introduction to Basic Writing Skills1:49
Master the mechanics of writing by exploring words and spaces, punctuation, sentence construction, paragraphing, and dialogue, and apply these skills in a practical paragraph project.
Words and Spaces: Lecture15:00
Format a manuscript for publication with single spaces, snug punctuation, and clean paragraphing; apply capitalization, hyphenation, apostrophes, and scene separators for clear, self-published writing.
Words and Spaces: Writing Session7:28
Learn how to format a manuscript in Word by setting 1 inch margins, disabling hyphenation, left aligning with a ragged right edge, and using first-line indent for clean paragraphs.
Words and Spaces: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Lecture Material)0:09
Punctuation: Lecture21:09
Master punctuation fundamentals and extended rules for fiction and nonfiction, including periods, commas, question marks, exclamation marks, quotes for dialogue, colon and semicolon usage, dashes, ellipses, and acronyms.
Punctuation: Writing Session8:37
Master punctuation basics and practical styles, from sentence terminators and commas to em dashes, quotation marks, dialogue punctuation, and semicolon connections.
Punctuation: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Files)0:09
Sentences: Lecture11:24
Master well-formed sentences by applying capitalization, endings, subject-verb-object order, agreement, punctuation, and active voice, plus optional Oxford comma usage.
Sentences: Writing Session13:43
Master crafting complete sentences with active voice, mix short and long sentences, and structure paragraphs and dialogue to guide readers through self-published fiction.
Sentences: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Files)0:09
Paragraphs: Lecture6:25
Develop effective paragraph writing by grouping related sentences, using topic sentences, and applying dialogue and paragraph breaks to keep prose clear and engaging.
Paragraphs: Writing Session14:43
Master paragraph mechanics for fiction-style writing by using indentation, topic sentences, and supporting detail, illustrated with examples on container gardening and dialogue.
Paragraphs: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Files)0:09
Dialog: Lecture6:57
Learn the basic mechanics of writing dialog as we touch on aspects of writing good dialog.
Dialog Writing Session6:50
Learn to craft clear dialogue by using proper quotation marks, attributing speakers, and paragraphing for new speakers, while varying tags and keeping punctuation inside quotes.
Dialog: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Files)0:09
Access the sample writing file for the previous writing session lecture by accessing the resources associated with this lecture (it's the downward arrow pointing to the box in the upper right hand corner of this lecture).
Blog Posts and Short Essays3:24
Build blog posts and short essays by shaping opening, supporting, and concluding paragraphs with clear topic and supporting sentences. Apply the essay structure to present and restate arguments.
Blog Posts and Short Essays: Writing Sessions7:35
Learn how blog posts and short essays use linked paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting arguments, and closing conclusions, illustrated by a container gardening example.
Blog Posts and Short Essays: Writing Session Files (Downloadable Files)0:09
Basic Writing Skills Section Project0:13
Summary of Basic Writing Skills0:37
Master the basics of writing mechanics by refining words, spaces, punctuation, sentences, paragraphs, and dialogue; complete a paragraph project and prepare for advanced techniques.

Requirements

A computer running Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS operating systems
Microsoft Word 2010, 2013, 2016 or Office 365
A rudimentary understanding of English

Description

Writing to Tell Your Story Today: Unleash the Author Within You

Have you ever dreamed of putting pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard—and finally telling the story that’s been living in your heart? Whether you aspire to write a short story, novella, novel, or non-fiction book, this course is designed to guide you every step of the way. Writing is more than an art—it’s a discipline, a craft, and a journey. Through this comprehensive online training, you’ll gain the tools, confidence, and inspiration to take your story from concept to completion.

"If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad."
– Lord Byron

What This Course Offers

This course isn’t just about writing; it’s about storytelling with purpose and passion. You’ll learn how to organize your thoughts, structure your narrative, and master the techniques that captivate readers. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, the core principles of storytelling remain the same. The difference lies in how you manage the various elements and sustain them throughout your work.

Here’s what you’ll master:

Fundamentals of Writing: Learn the essential building blocks of writing—master punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraphs to create clear, compelling prose.
Advanced Storytelling Techniques: Elevate your narrative with foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and pacing strategies that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Dialogue Mastery: Craft authentic, immersive conversations that make your characters come alive.

Why You Should Take This Course

Writing isn’t just for aspiring novelists or seasoned authors—it’s for anyone with a story to tell. In this course, you’ll:

Overcome Common Writing Obstacles: Discover how to conquer writer’s block and maintain discipline throughout the writing process.
Build a Strong Foundation: Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, revisiting the basics is invaluable—even USA Today bestselling authors agree.
Publish with Confidence: Learn the ins and outs of self-publishing on Amazon, from manuscript preparation to designing eye-catching book covers with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Comprehensive Learning Tools

This course equips you with everything you need to succeed as a writer:

Practical Techniques:
- Structure your plot, build compelling characters, and create vivid settings that transport readers.
- Write engaging beginnings and satisfying endings that leave a lasting impression.
- Explore genre-specific storytelling tips to meet audience expectations.
Hands-On Guidance:
- Participate in exercises designed to discover and refine your unique writing style.
- Learn self-editing techniques to polish your manuscript for submission or self-publishing.
- Understand the crucial steps of the Amazon self-publishing process, including formatting and uploading your book.
Inspiring Insights:
- Get motivated with quotes and advice from renowned authors.
- Learn to channel personal experiences into universal stories.
- Embrace the joy of storytelling as both a creative outlet and a powerful way to connect with others.

Who This Course Is For

This course is tailored for anyone who dreams of becoming a writer, including:

Aspiring authors who want to publish their first book.
Hobbyists eager to write short stories or memoirs for personal fulfillment.
Experienced writers seeking to hone their craft and explore self-publishing.

Requirements for Success

To make the most of this course, you’ll need:

A computer with Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS.
Microsoft Word (2010, 2013, 2016, or Office 365).
A basic understanding of English.

Your Call to Action

There’s no greater joy for a storyteller than to share their tale with the world. You’ve carried your story for too long—it’s time to set it free. Don’t let fear or uncertainty keep you from pursuing your dream.

"A non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity."
– Franz Kafka

Now is the time to tell your story. Join me, and together, let’s bring your vision to life.

— Brian

Who this course is for:

Anyone looking to grasp the fundamentals of writing using the English language
Anyone looking to brush up their writing skills
Anyone interested in writing and publishing a book
Anyone with a need to tell a story that buried inside

Writing a Book: Creative Writing Skills for Self-publishing

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the Course3 lectures • 11min

How to Write a Book8 lectures • 1hr

>>> Original "Write" Course Material <<<1 lecture • 1min

Finding Your Style7 lectures • 24min

Preparing to Write7 lectures • 42min

Beginning to Write7 lectures • 23min

Writing6 lectures • 15min

>>> Fundamental Writing Skills <<<1 lecture • 1min

Microsoft Word Setup4 lectures • 25min

Basic Writing Skills21 lectures • 2hr 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: