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Part 5.2 Types of character1 hr Learn how to turn stereotypes into rounded characters Round and Flat characters Novokovich distinguishes between “round” and “flat” characters, according to their level of development. Round characters have several traits, which may be contradictory. Flat characters are often clichés; although clichés might generally be true, they do not take… Continue reading 5.2 Creating convincing characters

Part 5.1 Character and conflict30 mins Read about four ways to create characters  Do a quiz about Novakovich’s methods of creating characters  Discover the effect of ‘conflict’ on your writing Character and conflict A working author, Josip Novakovich, takes us through the creation of plot through character conflict. According to Novakovich: > a character is… Continue reading 5.1 Creating convincing characters

Part 4.3 Ideas45 mins Investigate where ideas for stories come from Hooked by lines and images Raymond Carver began a story after hearing an opening line in his head. John Fowles wrote The French Lieutenant’s Woman after being struck by one of his intriguing images; as he calls them, his ‘mythopoeic stills’. (While Philip Larkin… Continue reading 4.3 Building your story

Part 4.2 Plot45 mins Explore ways of turning events into plots Read writing that focuses on personal concerns Character and plot The distinction between story and plot, according to E.M. Forster, is causality.A story is a sequence of events.A plot is a sequence of events caused by each other. According to the course: ‘The king… Continue reading 4.2 Building your story

Part 4.1 Notebook habit30 mins Listen to what novelists think about research Develop further a notebook habit for research and idea Keeping a writer’s notebook We are reminded of the importance of the notebook; how it is a place of permission, where you can record, map, and work up ideas. This can be releasing when… Continue reading 4.1 Building your story

Part 3.3 Learn through writing1 hr 30 mins Start writing another story Writing is your training You can’t be a writer without writing. This doesn’t just mean, you can’t be a writer without having content to show for it. It also means that you can’t become a writer without practice. I think this is often… Continue reading 3.3 Writing is editing

Part 3.2 Editing30 mins Consider what to bear in mind as you edit Review work from fellow writers Receive feedback from other writers Editing your work This section reminds us that the majority of writing is editing; most of the stories we consume started life very differently to how we encounter them. The sooner we… Continue reading 3.2 Writing is editing

Part 3.1 Redrafting30 mins Discover the importance of reflecting on your writing Explore how, where and when to make changes Reviewing and Redrafting The message is clear: get the first draft down, whatever its quality. The first draft is the starting point; editing is where the writing begins. Reflection I do mostly agree that it’s… Continue reading 3.1 Writing is editing

Part 2.3 Preparing to Write1 hr 30 mins Experiment with story beginnings The Blank Page Does the blank page daunt you?  I suppose it depends how “blank” you think it is. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the issue is not with how many words a page has it, it’s whether you have something… Continue reading 2.3 The habit of writing

Part 2.2 Observation and Imagination45 mins Listen to novelists talking about their own rituals  Read novel extracts for how characters appear  Learn about heightening powers of observation Observation and Imagination We go on to talk about detail in work. Michèle Roberts discusses slowing down to write better; when she writes quickly and instinctively, she doesn’t… Continue reading 2.2 The habit of writing