Welcome to the course!

The answer to this popular question is simple: one to two unicorns. 

To write chapters that flow well: orient your writing around your protagonist's attempts to get what they want or avoid what they detest.

Ideally, a chapter ends with a change — either for the protagonist or the reader.

Start each scene by re-connecting the reader to the protagonist.

Look at your novel's best scene: did you forget to include… THIS?

Great scenes rely on two opposites: forward motion that keeps the protagonist working against the clock (plot) and sparks / pulses of character motivation that show the reader how the events are affecting their protagonist (narration). Here's how to blend them.

Novels aren't only about the plot. Some of the most memorable passages in a novel come from its lyrical moments.

A paradox: in order to keep raising the tension in a scene, you have to take breaks.

What about novels where you simply MUST share a lot of information about the fictional world: historical fiction, fantasy, sci fi etc? Here's a more advanced technique for mingling drama and exposition. 

Here are two theories about human psychology: they are almost everything you need to create a great protagonist.

If you notice you've let the reader drift away from the protagonist — use the next scene to deliver emergency first aid.

How to make a bad character likeable? 

This is so simple: at the start of each chapter, just repeat.

It's often a good idea to pull back at the start of a chapter.

You can reveal anything as long as no one is paying attention.

When it's time to deliver a dramatic, unforgettable scene — here are two great techniques.

Here's an easy way to show that the story is changing your protagonist.

Not all scenes advance the plot. Some, instead, clarify it.

Sometimes you just need to do an info-dump. Here's one way to make it work.

How to make a scene of internal choosing dramatic on the page.

Dialogue is tricky to master: here are five shortcuts

Give each minor character a dominant mood. After all, most people don't change!

Heighten your setting description with drama and variety.

Use the "heads and tails" trick when you're writing in a hurry.

Okay. Don't get angry. But it doesn't matter what shade your love interest's eyes are. 

Thank you so much for taking this course.