Craft focus: introduction to novel plotting

What is the course about?

This course is designed for students who have begun work on their novel, but need support to fashion their ideas into a coherent narrative that flows naturally from beginning to end. You'll be provided with a flexible template for plotting a novel, which will give you the structure you need without compromising your vision or personal style.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Creating and developing primary and secondary characters
- Mapping out a three-act structure so that your novel follows a natural course of beginning, middle and end
- Reading like a writer (with reference to specific case studies) and absorbing the lessons you need to improve your own writing
- How to shape, organise, and if necessary discard your ideas for the good of the novel as a whole
- Tightening the plot structure of the novel during the editing process.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Create effective primary and secondary characters
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of a novel’s story arc
- Apply these structures to your own writing to improve the flow of your story
- Confidently begin to revise your own material into a workable whole.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

For students who have been writing on their own and would like support. Ideally, you'll have attempted to produce a first draft (in part or whole) of a novel and now seek guidance and objectivity. As a minimum, you should have an idea and some initial notes for a novel you wish to write.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Weekly homework will be set. There is a short reading list. In class, there will be writing exercises individually and in groups; discussions of principles of plotting; analysis of published work; group debate in a positive, challenging environment; reading and writing assignments; assessment of the work of your peers. Students are expected to participate in classroom activities.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a pen and paper.

Reading list
The Hound of the Baskervilles by A C Doyle
Night Train by Martin Amis
The Final Solution by Michael Chabon

These books should be readily available from libraries.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You may be interested in our full length Novel writing course, or our two-term course How to write novels, which offers an in-depth syllabus and opportunities to workshop your writing in a supportive environment. When you're ready, you can progress to one of our advanced workshop and receive more feedback as you work towards publication.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.