Write Your First Novel

Michigan State University via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/write-your-first-novel

Introduction

### Course Review: Write Your First Novel on Coursera If you’ve ever held onto the aspiration of becoming a novelist, you're not alone. Writing a novel may seem like an insurmountable feat for many, particularly with the chaos of everyday life—work, family, social obligations—but "Write Your First Novel" on Coursera offers a structured pathway to bring your literary dreams to fruition. Having made it to Inc.com's list of the 30 Most Popular Online Courses of 2020, this course has garnered significant acclaim for its effectiveness and supportive community. #### Overview "Write Your First Novel" is not just a course; it's a comprehensive journey of creativity and discipline. Designed for aspiring authors at any stage of their writing journey, it guides you step by step, ensuring you not only generate ideas but also cultivate the skills necessary to transform those ideas into a complete, polished manuscript. #### Course Structure The course spans 26 weeks, meticulously structured to facilitate a gradual yet thorough writing process: 1. **Weeks 1-2**: You start off by crafting the kernel of your story—brainstorming an original idea, writing a pitch document, and developing character profiles. You’ll learn how to create a logline and a dramatic question, ensuring your narrative is well-grounded. 2. **Weeks 3-24**: The heart of the course involves writing chapters in a sequential manner. You will dedicate services weeks to writing each chapter from one to twenty, balancing feedback loops with peer reviews to refine your storytelling skills continuously. 3. **Table Reads**: Midway through and towards the end of the course, you will engage in table readings, an essential practice embodying your story and hearing it aloud for the first time. This not only fosters community but also enhances your understanding of pacing and character voice. 4. **Final Steps**: The concluding weeks are dedicated to polishing and submitting your manuscript. You will polish your work, write a captivating prologue, and construct a compelling synopsis, preparing your novel for potential agents. #### Review One of the most commendable aspects of "Write Your First Novel" is its community-driven approach, where peer reviews are woven into the learning process. Engaging with fellow writers can be incredibly motivating, offering fresh perspectives and constructive criticism that enhances your writing. The course maintains a balanced structure, ensuring that aspiring authors are not overwhelmed yet are consistently challenged. The pacing allows you to dive deeply into each chapter, focusing on the intricacies of character development, dialogue, and plot pacing. Additionally, having scheduled breaks for table reads provides essential pauses for reflection, allowing for the mental energy needed to tackle subsequent chapters. The tutors are knowledgeable and supportive, offering insights that are not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable. Their feedback throughout the course ensures that you feel nurtured in your creative process while also pushing you toward excellence. #### Recommendation If you're serious about writing your first novel, I wholeheartedly recommend "Write Your First Novel" on Coursera. It’s perfect for those who may feel daunted by the task of writing a full-length manuscript but crave a structured, supportive environment to unleash their creativity. This course is suitable for anyone from busy professionals to stay-at-home parents, as it accommodates varied schedules and commitments. Take the plunge into your writing adventure. Unleash your imagination, develop your writing skills, and perhaps—by the end of this course—you will not only have drafted your first novel but also discovered a deeper connection with your writing practice. Join a community of aspiring authors and let this course be the catalyst that turns your storytelling dreams into reality.

Syllabus

Week One: Creating the idea for your novel

In Week One you will create a concept for your original novel, your own Intellectual Property (IP). You will write up a pitch document, post it and review the pitches of five of your peers. You will also create a Logline and a Dramatic Question for your novel, post those documents, review the work of five of your peers and revise your own work with the feedback you get from your peers

Week Two: Create your character profiles and outline Chapter One

In Week Two you will create profiles for your major characters and write up an outline for the first chapter of your novel.

Week Three: Write Chapter One

In Week Three you will begin writing your novel.

Week Four: Write Chapter Two

In Week Four you will write the second chapter of your novel.

Week Five: Write Chapter Three

In Week Five you will write the third chapter of your novel.

Week Six: Write Chapter Four

In Week six you will write the fourth chapter of your novel.

Week Seven: Write Chapter Five

In Week Seven you will write the fifth chapter of your novel.

Week Eight: Write Chapter Six

In Week Eight you will write the sixth chapter of your novel.

Week Nine: Write Chapter Seven

In Week Nine you will write the seventh chapter of your novel.

Week Ten: Table Read Chapters One to Seven

In Week Ten, you have the week off from writing. This week, you will get together with a few friends and read Act One, the first seven chapters of your novel,

Week Eleven: Write Chapter Eight

In Week Eleven you will write the eighth chapter of your novel.

Week Twelve: Write Chapter Nine

In Week Twelve you will write the ninth chapter of your novel.

Week Thirteen: Write Chapter Ten

In Week Thirteen you will write the tenth chapter of your novel.

Week Fourteen: Write Chapter Eleven

In Week Fourteen you will write the eleventh chapter of your novel.

Week Fifteen: Write Chapter Twelve

In Week Fifteen you will write the twelfth chapter of your novel.

Week Sixteen: Write Chapter Thirteen

In Week Sixteen you will write the thirteenth chapter of your novel.

Week Seventeen: Write Chapter Fourteen

In Week Seventeen you will write the fourteenth chapter of your novel.

Week Eighteen: Table Read Chapters Eight to Fourteen

In Week Eighteen, you have another week off from writing. This week, you will again get together with a few friends and read chapters Eight through Fourteen, Act Two of your novel.

Week Nineteen: Write Chapter Fifteen

In Week Nineteen you will begin the final Act of Your Novel

Week Twenty: Write Chapter Sixteen

In Week Twenty you will write the sixteenth chapter of your novel.

Week Twenty-One: Write Chapter Seventeen

In Week Twenty-One you will write the seventeenth chapter of your novel.

Week Twenty-Two: Write Chapter Eighteen

In Week Twenty-Two you will write the eighteenth chapter of your novel.

Week Twenty-Three: Write Chapter Nineteen

In Week Twenty-Three you will write the nineteenth chapter of your novel.

Week Twenty-Four: Write Chapter Twenty

In Week Twenty-Four you will write the final chapter of your novel.

Week Twenty-Five: Table Read Chapters Fifteen to Twenty

In Week Twenty-Five you will take another week off from writing and table read the final act of your novel.

Week Twenty-Six: Submit Your Finished Novel

In Week-Twenty Six you will submit your completed, polished novel. You will also write a prologue for your novel and a synopsis to submit to agents.

Overview

WRITE YOUR FIRST NOVEL From Inc.com - The 30 Most Popular Online Courses of 2020 "Write Your First Novel" made the list at #15 https://lnkd.in/gZqscmn If you’ve ever had the dream, the desire or even just a vague notion that you would like to write a novel, this course is for you. Whether you are a full-time student, have a full-time job, a family to take care of or all of the above, you can do it. Really! And I will help you get there. In this Course, you will write your first novel. Many p

Skills

Creative Writing Story Telling Novel Writing

Reviews

A must do course if you truly aspire to become a good writer or an author.\n\nKudos to David Wheeler!

I really learnt a lot. Sir you have inspired me to write. The course is so good can make any one a good writer. Thank You for sharing all the information

It starts off great, but towards the end, the number of people doing the work drops off dramatically.

Excellent course.\n\nWould like to see some type of follow up. course.\n\nCharacter development? Plot ideas? Creative writing?\n\nThank you, Professor Wheeler!

an excellent course for the fledgling writer. Broken down into manageable weekly targets and teaches that focus and organisation really help towards achieving that dream.