Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/craft-of-plot

Introduction

### Course Review: Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot on Coursera If you've ever tried your hand at writing, you may know that plot is often the heartbeat of any great story. For aspiring authors, the intricacies of plot can be both thrilling and intimidating. This is where Coursera’s course, "Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot," comes into play. Designed to equip writers with the essential tools needed to create compelling narratives, this course delves deep into the mechanics of plot, making it a must-enroll for anyone aspiring to craft stories that captivate audiences. #### Course Overview "Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot" offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing plot as a critical storytelling element. It explores how plot interacts with emotion, expectation, and character, providing a solid foundation for any aspiring writer. With a curriculum designed to stimulate your creativity and elevate your writing craft, the course promises to offer insights into the very fabric of storytelling. #### Detailed Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Plotting a Course** - This initial module sets the stage by defining plot and its vital role in storytelling. You will engage with the concept of plot versus story and examine how they interlink, drawing examples from popular literature, including the famed Harry Potter series. The focus on dynamic character creation and essential plot-related questions lays a strong groundwork for your writing endeavors. 2. **The Power of Structure** - Structure can be the backbone of an engaging plot. This module teaches various structures, such as Freytag's pyramid and the five-act structure, demonstrating how these frameworks can enhance the storytelling process. By analyzing classic literature, you’ll develop an appreciation for why structure matters and how it can inform your own writing. 3. **A Scene in Motion** - Foundational to any narrative, scenes propel plots forward. This module distinguishes between ‘telling’ and ‘showing’ while illuminating the five key elements that every scene should contain. You'll learn how to craft vivid settings and descriptions that immerse readers into your fictional world, a crucial skill for any writer. 4. **Cut It Out** - The journey doesn’t stop at drafting; editing is an art form in itself. This module emphasizes the revision process, providing a robust checklist to refine your first draft into a polished manuscript. Discussions around motivation in character development and understanding what to keep (or cut) from your writing ensure that you emerge with a lean, engaging, and well-crafted story. #### Who Should Take This Course This course is highly recommended for novices looking to understand the foundational elements of plot in storytelling, as well as for seasoned writers aiming to hone their skills in structuring narratives. If you've ever felt stuck in the writing process or struggled to evolve a plot beyond a simple premise, this course offers practical insights and strategies to elevate your storytelling abilities. #### Conclusion: A Strong Recommendation "Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot" is a thoughtfully structured course that tackles one of the most critical aspects of writing head-on. With engaging content, practical exercises, and a supportive online learning environment, you're bound to find yourself more equipped and inspired to write compelling stories. Whether you dream of publishing a novel or simply want to share stories that resonate, enrolling in this Coursera course will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to bring your creative visions to life. So, plot your course today and take the next step in your writing journey!

Syllabus

Plotting a Course

In this module, we'll learn essentials about plot definitions and mechanics. What is plot? How does plot shape a narrative? What makes a strong plot? How is plot different from a story? We'll also discuss how plot works in actual books you're probably familiar with, such as the Harry Potter series, how character and action equals plot, and the five key questions you should ask yourself when creating a dynamic character.

In this module we're going to learn what story structure is and how by understanding structure you can learn how to sequence the events in your plot to help maximize your own storytelling abilities.We'll talk about Freytag's pyramid, the five act structure, how that structure can be found in works of classic literature, and have a conversation about how structure and outlines can help organize the stories you want to tell.

Scenes are the building blocks of storytelling. But what is a scene? And how does a scene move plot forward? In this module we'll learn about the difference between telling and showing, the five key elements each scene should have, offer some examples of effective scenes, and have a conversation about how setting and description can make a scene come alive.

This modules deals with the specifics of editing and revising your work. This process of revision starts with the first draft (which will now become your second draft) and continues until the manuscript’s ready to send to an agent. Included here are a twenty-one point checklist on what to do once you have a completed first draft, and conversations about creating characters with strong motivations, and how to define language that gets rewritten vs language that gets cut.