The "call to adventure" guarantee
30 day money-back guarantee. no questions asked.
This course comes with the best guarantee I could create.
Why? Well, I know that many writers have mixed feelings about writing courses. Maybe you've bought a course in the past that wasn't well made, or which repeated platitudes you had already heard.
The bad news is that these mixed feelings can leave writers in a state of frustrated indecision. You are eager to improve your craft: you love to write and you want to develop your skills to the highest possible level. In addition, many writers are stuck with their current novel, no longer making progress, unsure how to fix the parts of the story that they know aren't working well.
That's why I created the "call to adventure" guarantee. I want to improve your writing skills and help you plan out a great novel, but I also want you to feel free to take action, with no fear or doubt. My goal is to give you the feeling of a heroic adventurer, taking that first step. Isn't that a better frame of mind for a writer, anyway?
So there is no risk in trying this course out and you don't have to feel conflicted about answering its "call to adventure." If you buy Plotting and Planning Your Novel and don't like it, just ask for a refund within the first 30 days after your purchase.
You won't have to explain yourself or give a reason. I won't even ask why you want the refund: I'll just send you your money back.
30 Days
the course contains...
Course highlights and their estimated dollar value:
plot myths exploded ($100)
Video and written lessons that show you how to focus your storytelling on the moves and developments your reader truly needs.
The ABC Plot ($100)
The heart of the course: learn how to tell your story in four stages and three crucial plot threads.
The Robot Teacher ($100)
More than a dozen interactive prompts that show you, as if you are having a conversation with a teacher, how to instantly apply the techniques to your own story.
Plot Inspections ($50)
Follow along as I break down the plots of the classic novel, The Age of Innocence, and the famous thriller, the first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor.
Mentoring by email ($50)
Guidance, reminders, and links sent by regular emails once you join the course.
in the trenches ($50)
Recordings of two masterclasses where I answer student questions and expand the themes of the course.
master dialogue ($50)
Additional lessons in chapter-writing (on dialogue and planning a plot twist) borrowed from the sister course, Writing Great Chapters.
Your "Quick Win" System ($100)
The capstone of the course: a framework to conquer self-doubt by writing the first thirty pages of your draft -- and have early readers, editors, and agents demand the rest.
secret reading room ($100)
A private discussion area for participants of the course where you can pose questions or ask for clarification.
The podcast version ($100)
Download a free app to your phone to listen to every lecture like a podcast. (May not be available in all markets.)
The "PErfect" opening pdf ($50)
A series of handouts to help you plot out the essential moves of your novel, from first page to mid-point crescendo.
The Pre-writing manual ($50)
This handbook talks you through the lessons of the course as a series of questions and prompts, helping you develop your tale.
The abc Plotting manual ($50)
When you are ready, open the course's second manual, which turns your pre-writing into a sequenced story.
Comment badges ($50)
Earn badges and titles as you ask questions and share your thoughts, so the other students will know to respect you.
planning template ($50)
Smoothly design your plot online with this beautiful Dropbox Paper template.
total estimated value = $1,050
Testimonials
Elizabeth R. Alix
Author of Maple Hill Chronicles
Tannis Laidlaw
Mistery Writer
Quenntin Ashby
Urban Fantasy Writer
The Place to Start: Day One
The problem with starting a novel
One clue: reading vs remembering
Trouble-shooting: What if I can’t find my real plot?
The Project – how to begin your novel
Bonus: the Project for Mysteries
Bonus: the Project for Space Operas
Case study: How to start a novel quickly without confusing your reader
It’s Time! Sketch Out your First Chapters
Congrats!
Bonus lesson: How to Design a Compelling Prologue
The Truth About Stories: A Promise
Lesson 1.2 — The Singular Reader
Lesson 1.3 — The Truth About Stories: The Case Studies
Lesson 1.4 — The Truth About Stories: The Key
Lesson 1.5 — The Truth About Stories: The Mistake
Lesson 1.6 — The Truth About Stories: The Situation
Lesson 1.7 — The Truth About Stories: Nothing Is Wasted
Lesson 2.1 — The Premise Is Not Enough
Lesson 2.2 — The Middle Creates Its Own Conflict
Lesson 2.25 — Chapter Capstone
Lesson 2.3 — 2C, Troubleshooting: Where do I find the commitments?
Lesson 2.4 — 2C, Troubleshooting: Don't let your characters drop their commitments!
Lesson 2.5 — 2C, Troubleshooting: What happens in the middle?
Lesson 2.6 — 2C, FAQ: "Daniel, isn't this just a subplot?"
Send off and conclusion: Why does my middle feel like a list of events?
The Rule of Five Ones
Weaving in the Real Plot - Quickly!
The Dragon’s Foot
Connecting Story Elements
How the character first approach works on the page
Scene and Satellite
The Wheel of Drama
Construct Your Plot With This Pre-Writing Manual
Writer satisfaction survey
1.1 Wait! Is this TOO MUCH Detail?
1.2 How the Two Commitments and the Four Quarters Fit Together
1.3 Quarter One: Something Big is Coming
1.4 The Quarter Turn: the Second Commitment Arrives
1.5 Quarter Two: Both, in Apparent Harmony
1.6 The Midpoint Knot
1.7 Quarter Three: the Desperate Juggle
1.8 The Collapse
1.9 Quarter Four: the Change
The Plan for This Section of the Course
From a Protagonist to a Plot
The perfect stage one opening
Plot Your Novel in Four Stages
Build a Knot at the Middle of Your Plot
Stage Four and the Staggered Ending
How to Write Stage Two
How to Write Stage Three
Stage Four and the Staggered Ending
Designing the Best Possible A: the Path to Success
Designing the Best Possible B
ABC Plot Summary: Killing Floor by Lee Child
ABC Plot Summary #2: The Age of Innocence
How to Master the Middle: Your Protagonist's Three Mistakes
Introduction to this Chapter
The Mid-Point Twist
The "All is Lost" Moment
Build in “Manifestations”
Add a Ticking Clock to the Second Half
Plot Twists and Mirror Scenes
Bonus: Be Careful About the Three Act Structure
Download this Manual and Create your Plot
This How You Get Started
Start with your Dream Story
Imagine the Best Bits
Picture An Unhappy Visitor
Now we use hints to connect the two
Sketch the Backstory
Begin the World-building Bible
Now Start Sketching out "Implied" Scenes
Wrap Up: Now You're Ready for the ABC Plot
How to Write Stage One
How to Write Stage Two
How to Write Stage Three
The Biggest Problem: Leading with B
ABC with Multiple Protagonists
What if you Don't Actually Have a C Plot
Alternate Stage One Opening: Multiple Timelines
Alternate Stage One Opening: A Magical Job
Collected Handouts, Downloads, Manuals
Send Off
Final Exam
Download Your Completion Certificate
Next Steps / How I Help Writers
Acknowledgements
How to Get Help
Protagonists and their Projects
A, B, and Cs — plot advising session
Daniel answers questions from participants in the course
The ABC Plot
How to write dialogue
How to prepare a plot twist
Prompts & Challenges
Intro to this writing habits bonus section
How to Become a More Consistent Writer
Getting Over Perfectionism
Using Time Tracking to find more writing time