This course guides you through the process of creating a fantastic “character-first” plot.
Plotting and Planning Your Novel
Log In to View Lessons
Video/Text
Plot
0% Not started
Start Here
Welcome! Let’s get this course started
Login Here
[Note: if you have just joined the course, and you aren't sure how to log in, go here and select "Lost Your Password."]
About "Plotting and Planning Your Novel"
Plotting and Planning Your Novel
A welcome message + guided tour: all the ways you can use this course to improve your writing.
Log In to View Lessons The Place to Start: Day One
What you will learn -- and write -- in the first 24 hours (if you wish to move at that pace).
Lesson 1: The Goal
All right. What kind of book do we actually want to write in this course? What will the reader feel while reading it?
Log In to View Lessons The problem with starting a novel
Readers want two things that seem contradictory: they want a novel to begin quickly, but they don't want to be confused. How can we get the story moving without providing all the weighty backstory and context they will need to properly understand the story?
Log In to View Lessons One clue: reading vs remembering
One helpful clue to solving that problem: when we remember a novel, we tend to remember it from the middle or the end. But this isn't actually helpful when we try to write our own novels.
Log In to View Lessons Trouble-shooting: What if I can’t find my real plot?
This is at the heart of the concept of the "project" -- your protagonist is resisting the "real story" of your novel. The more, the better.
Log In to View Lessons The Project – how to begin your novel
How we solve the reader's problem -- and create a compelling, easy-to-follow, quick-moving opening to our novels.
Log In to View Lessons The Project for Mysteries
When writers hear about "the project," they tend to ask, "But what about mysteries? Do they have a project??" Here's my answer.
Log In to View Lessons The Project for Space Operas
The project works well for large cast, sprawling sci fi epics (the space opera). But it works a little differently: the projects are usually more professional than personal.
Log In to View Lessons It’s Time! Sketch Out your First Chapters
All right! We've learned how to introduce a project while still conveying that more is coming. Now let's turn that project idea into a plan for the first few chapters of your novel. Ready?
Log In to View Lessons Congrats!
You did it! Whether it took you 24 hours or 24 days, I'm very proud of you. You made it to the end of Module 1 of this course -- and now you know how to construct a great plan for your novel's opening.
Log In to View Lessons Bonus lesson: How to Design a Compelling Prologue
Bonus lesson: prologues are controversial! Some writing teachers say not to use them. But lots of successful novels have them; some even have two! Here's one approach to designing a compelling one.
Log In to View Lessons Don’t Hate Me, But… Cut It?
The very real dangers of fake plot.
Log In to View Lessons The Rule of Five Ones
My advice: for this course, write a five or four "one" novel.
Log In to View Lessons Weaving in the Real Plot - Quickly!
Do you like the idea of the "project"? If so, you may be wondering -- how do I let the reader know that more is coming? How do I begin the transition from project to "real plot"? My answer: weave it in, a little at a time.
Lesson 2: The Dragon’s Toe: Exposition and Mystery
The key to exposition is to sprinkle it lightly — very lightly — at the start. Here's how...
Log In to View Lessons The Dragon’s Foot
Trick your reader with this easy technique
Log In to View Lessons Connecting Story Elements
This is so powerful: when two parts of the story become one.
Log In to View Lessons Scene and Satellite
This is how we convey to the reader all the information they need to enjoy, understand, keep reading your novel.
Log In to View Lessons The Wheel of Drama
Log In to View Lessons Construct Your Plot With This Pre-Writing Manual
This interactive guide helps you design your own ABC-style plot.
Log In to View Lessons The Plan for This Section of the Course
Log In to View Lessons From a Protagonist to a Plot
We have the building blocks. Now we're going to use them to create a great plot.
Log In to View Lessons Plot Your Novel in Four Stages
By this point in the course, we've studied how to build our scenes, establish "care," and build a great protagonist. Here is the framework to turn those concepts and building blocks into a detailed plot.
Log In to View Lessons Stage Four and the Staggered Ending
Here is a low-stress way to plan out a great ending to your novel.
Log In to View Lessons Designing the Best Possible A: the Path to Success
It's critical to give your protagonist a way forward with their A plot.
Log In to View Lessons Designing the Best Possible B
Your character has issues! But -- which ones?
Log In to View Lessons ABC Plot Summary: Killing Floor by Lee Child
Here is how the ABC plot is working in the first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor.
Log In to View Lessons ABC Plot Summary #2: The Age of Innocence
The ABC plot works just as well for a classic literary novel like The Age of Innocence as it does for Jack Reacher.
Log In to View Lessons How to Master the Middle: Your Protagonist's Three Mistakes
Here's how the character-first approach enables you to conquer the "messy" middle.
Lesson 2: The Secret Engine of Your Story
This is the secret that helps writers write the middle of their stories: the protagonist is not ready for C.
Log In to View Lessons Introduction to this Chapter
The role of "external" conflict in a novel -- and what this chapter will teach you.
Log In to View Lessons The Mid-Point Twist
This is a useful technique for all kinds of novels. You can use it to help plan out a draft or to kickstart a revision plan: the idea that something big happens halfway through the story.
Log In to View Lessons The "All is Lost" Moment
Many novels bring the character to the brink -- or beyond the brink -- of disaster, often at the 75% mark of a novel. Here's one way to make that crisis work well for you.
Log In to View Lessons Build in “Manifestations”
A more advanced lesson: use "manifestations" to keep your reader turning pages and to develop your themes.
Log In to View Lessons Add a Ticking Clock to the Second Half
This is such a straightforward, effective aid to your plotting.
Log In to View Lessons Plot Twists and Mirror Scenes
It's easier than you think to confuse readers with plot twists and reveals -- rather than being shocked or intrigued, they end up just unsure what you are saying. Here's how to use "mirror scenes" to prepare the way for big twists.
Log In to View Lessons Bonus: Be Careful About the Three Act Structure
Just a quick optional lesson from me: why don't I talk about "acts"?
Log In to View Lessons Download this Manual and Create your Plot
Now it's time to plot.
Log In to View Lessons Send Off
You did it! You finished the course. Now I just want to say…
Log In to View Lessons This How You Get Started
This is my strategy for getting a "quick win" for this novel project.
Log In to View Lessons Collected Handouts, Downloads, Manuals
For ease of use, all downloads mentioned in the course are also available here.
Log In to View Lessons Daniel answers questions from participants in the course
About the Teacher
Daniel
Daniel is the creator of the "character-first" approach at the heart of this course.
Hi, I started reading Jade City and I am hooked.
I was never one for gangsta movies or books but her very first words got me:
“The two would-be jade thieves …” What a wealth of information and intruige in this six words! It instantly hints on danger and disaster: would-be is only used for not sucessful. So I needed to read on to find out how they floundered.
And there is even more information in it:
-they are no regular thiefs, so they are newbies.
Jade must be very important, if they try to steal exactly that and not ‘jewels’ or money. I am at awe here!
By the way, my reader shows me that this novel has over 1100 pages, is that true or do I have a strange copy?
If so, would you please also mention the chapters, Daniel? It would be easier to follow then. Thanks!
I received the paperback edition today, which is 495 pages. Chapter 1, The Twice Lucky is page 1; Chapter 2, The Horn of No Peak on page 10; Chapter 3, The Sleepless Pillar on page 19; Chapter 4, The Torch of Kekon on page 31; Chapter 5, The Horn’s Kitten, on page 40. Since there are 57 chapters plus an Epilogue, I won’t go through the entire book.
I’m really liking Jade City so far. I’m on the second chapter.
I enjoyed the start of Jade City and had to stop myself reading beyond two chapters. It was so easy to read I underestimated the skill in the way the dialogue was written. A lesson well learned.
Hello Daniel I am an aspiring screenwriter who wants to learn and writer character-driven screenplay. I want to have a deep and thorough understanding of characters, character development and character arc.
Please directed me to the appropriate place.
Thank you
Intrigued by your comment on the importance of mid-point in Midnight Library… I’m writing a memoir/ family history so didn’t think this could apply to my work – but maybe it does???