Expert writers show you a clear, simple steps to master style and create an unforgettable voice on the page.
Log In to View Lessons
Video
Writing Summits
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."]
Lesson 1: Welcome session
An introduction to the event from me, your host, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Tech tips, ground rules and expectations, and hidden bonuses.Â
Lesson 2: Master the Cumulative Sentence
Have you ever mumbled to yourself, "I know what I want to say, but I don't know how to say it"? Of course you have. The "How" that you are missing is the style of your writing, and the style of your writing is largely determined by the structure of your sentences and paragraphs. Don Stewart will show you an amazing system to bring those crucial elements alive, by examining the best sources possible—the great authors themselves. Imagine learning how to write like J. K. Rowling, Harper Lee, David Halberstam, Malcolm Gladwell, or Tara Westover. This talk will inspire you to go back to your drafts and write infinitely better.
Log In to View Lessons Spectacular Sentences
Want to see -- and try out for yourself -- examples of amazing, outrageous, show-stopping sentences? The author of How to Write Stunning Sentences and The Translator will guide us through some great examples of prose style -- and help us design our own
Log In to View Lessons Should Writers Listen to Strunk and White?
"The Elements of Style," perhaps the most famous writing manual ever, includes a pithy recommendation: "Omit needless words." But should you adopt a minimalist writing style? We'll consider this question by looking at a range of examples drawn primarily from the realm of children's literature.
Log In to View Lessons What Expert Writers Know About Style
Grammar columnist and podcaster June Casagrande will teach you to pay more attention to the words you place on the page. Learn the benefits of deliberate focus on word choice and sentence construction.
Log In to View Lessons Character at the Sentence Level
Author and podcaster Sacha Black teaches us how style helps to create character. Learn how the "hero lens" and other tools can allow you to create vivid, specific characters with real personalities.
Log In to View Lessons Your Story Begins: A Talk about Story Openings
What is a good first paragraph for a story? How can you win your reader's interest in that opening sentence?
Log In to View Lessons First Day Happy Hour (open discussion + event speakers)
Log In to View Lessons The Author's Voice
Award-winning author Ira Sukrungruang offers guidance on narration and point of view in both fiction and memoir: learn about all the voices you didn't know you could write in.
Log In to View Lessons Keep your Voice through the Editing Process
Author and editor Troy Lambert will give a demo of editing and rewriting to preserve author style and voice — while still preparing your manuscript for publishing (self-publishing or agent submission).Â
Log In to View Lessons Creating an Unforgettable Narrator
Novelist, screenwriter, and memoirist Amanda Boyden discusses the power of a good narrator -- and how to create one.
Log In to View Lessons The Dialogue Daisy: Defeating Mono-Mouth and Creating Amazing Character Voices
In this talk, Jeff will help attendees rebuild their understanding of character voice, show them how to create an engaging and diverse cast of characters, and provide them with tools to use when they write.
Log In to View Lessons Creating Narrative Immersion for Readers
This is the ideal POV for storytelling, one that immerses your reader in the tale: not too close and not too distant.
Log In to View Lessons On Imitation
Here's one of the most tried and tested ways to improve your writing: what the ancients called "imitation." Daniel will explain how to create a regular practice of imitation to improve your writing skills.
Log In to View Lessons Unlock the Emotional Texture of a Scene
This is a craft-oriented presentation that helps you develop an important aspect of your style and voice: scenes' emotional texture. In this presentation, I will provide: 1) an overview on how emotions work inside stories, 2) insights into what scenes are really made of, 3) a three-step strategy for unlocking your story’s emotions, and 4) a note on how to apply your insights to a new or existing scene. You can use my approach for EVERY scene in EVERY story you tell.Â
Log In to View Lessons Discover your Unique Difference
Log In to View Lessons Revising with Scrivener
Log In to View Lessons Writing Comedy
Log In to View Lessons Building a dramatic scene with Plottr
Log In to View Lessons Panel Conversation on Finding Your Voice
Log In to View Lessons Final happy hour
Log In to View Lessons Guiding Language in Memoir
Log In to View Lessons Your narrative voice / Your narrative stance
Log In to View Lessons Free Indirect Style
About the Teacher
Daniel
Daniel is the creator of the "character-first" approach and the host of his trio of annual summits. He writes a semi-daily newsletter to almost six-thousand writers around the world.