Online Class: Novel Writing 101

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26

Lessons
53

Exams &
Assignments
3,848

Students
have taken this course
22

Hours
average time
2.2

CEUs

Course Description

From character and plot-conflict development to infusing a unique style and specialized writing techniques, the steps to writing a novel--while not utterly impossible--do require a dedicated, disciplined approach.

By committing to the steps outlined within this course, aspiring (and even experienced) novelists can find the structure they need to create a well-crafted manuscript, one they will be proud to shop to potential agents and publishers.

While some creative types may balk at the idea of adhering to a framework, the truth is that following such guidelines actually frees up writers to focus on the genesis and flow of ideas as opposed to be bogged down by the myriad of format and publishing style particulars.

That is why we have provided you with insights into how, from start to finish, you can develop the varying elements of your novel: characters, plotlines, setting, tone, conflict, climax, and resolution/denouement. Labeled as dramatic construction, every novel ought to have a foundation in these basic principles.

Plus, we will help take you one step further by offering you the specifics as to what is required to submit your completed work to potential agents and publishers. With an end goal in mind, this will help inspire you to actually finish your novel. Once outfitted with both practical and creative writers' tools, there is no reason you can not successfully write a novel and get it published.

If indeed you are truly committed and willing to invest the necessary time and effort to put your literary skills to the test, there should be nothing, absolutely nothing, stopping you from producing memorable prose.

Novel Writing: History

With origins dating back to poetic prose from thousands of years ago -- Elizabethan times, fanciful French romance narratives from the mid-17th century, and episodic, central-figure adventures from the Spanish Don Quixote era -- novel writing is an art form that has long been an integral part of our culture.

Yet, just because novel writing predates many long-established civilizations, you should not be discouraged from pursuing your dream.

Rather, much evidence points to the fact that even a first-time novelist can achieve great success. Even if success takes the form of personal gratification, that should prove to be a sufficient enough payoff to carry you forward as you embark on this exciting and immensely fulfilling journey.

What is a Novel?

Derived form the Italian word 'novella', the formalized term, "novel," was not used until end of the 18th century. In its infancy, the term was used during the Medieval Period as a literary classification to describe a shortened tale that relayed a generalized sentiment reflective of the society-at-large.

In short, the goal of a novel is to offer the reader a streamlined, cohesive story in which all of the components seamlessly combine to present a statement on the human condition.

In our contemporary world, the use of "novel" has shifted to focus more on the central character, than on the plot. Also playing a defining role in the novel, is the sense of realism. Although novels are developed as fictional stories, the underlying element inherent in all, are truisms based upon human behavior, and the ways in which we interact with others.

Thus, in line with this definition, the plot lines of a novel, though referring to a fictional universe, need to be plausible in the sense they could happen in everyday life. Examples of such humanistic elements include: aging, logical time sequences, conventional ideas; e.g., necessity of travel to distant locales, money (barter) to purchase goods and services, a 24-hour period being composed of phases of day and night.

Novel Features

As a whole, the three primary features of a traditional novel include:

A cohesive, believable plot structure
Well-defined, credible characters
A strong undercurrent of reality

It has been said that a work of fiction is measured by how well, or poorly, the author is able to unify the story and control its impact. Therefore, the only obligation of the writer is to make the story flow well for the reader, and have strong elements of interest.

Novel Differentiations

Although the "realism" element may be consistent among all novels, a range of other qualities may be used to differentiate one from another.

For example, while one aim of some novels may be to entertain its readers, others may strive to engage and stimulate readers in an effort to expand their conscious awareness of the greater world in which they live. Others may aspire to reach readers on a more emotional and/or psychological level, by presenting humanistic references in terms of the form of conflicts, fears, and desires.

According to John Braine, the British novelist popular during the 1950s, the novel is the most variable of literary forms, for it has no hard-and-fast rules about subject, technique, or purpose.

Classic Examples

Over the years, novels that have remained in our minds and hearts to earn the title of "classic" include:

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility (1811), and Pride and Prejudice (1813);
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre (1847);
Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1847);
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850);
Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851);
Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884);
F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925);
Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises (1926);
William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury (1929); and
John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (1939).

Can Anyone Write a Novel?

You tend to daydream a lot about writing "The Great American Novel," but does that mean that you will be able to successfully pull it off?

As you have undoubtedly heard countless times before, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything you want.

And while this may be true -- wanting to write a novel, and actually writing it, are entirely different things. In order to produce a novel, you first will need to create a structure around your project, define your objectives, and prioritize this project in your life to ensure you follow it through to completion.

Why would you want to invest what can seem like an inordinate amount of time and effort into the task of writing a novel?

Novel Writing: Rewards and Payoffs

Attracted by the following rewards and personal payoffs, many people do go forth with their plans to write a novel.

Satisfaction of achieving a hard-earned goal.
Medium to utilize creative skills, which may not otherwise be used in one's professional life
Opportunity to hone one's writing skills
Forum to focus one's ideas and life experiences
Area over which one does not need to conform to anyone's standards or rules
Outlet to showcase one's theories, ideas and creative visions (albeit masked within a work of fiction)
Ego-gratification endeavor, culminating in one's name appearing on the book jacket of countless copies
Lasting legacy

Regardless of what becomes of the finished product -- picked up by a publisher, self-published, bestseller, etc. -- the fact that you stayed the course in writing your novel is something that will remain with you for your entire lifetime.

Committing to the generation of your novel, and seeing it through to completion, is an endeavor that will leave you with a new-found confidence that will carry over on to any project you put before yourself.

Ideally, the following chapters will help you feel more secure with the novel-writing process and, thus, better able to navigate as you head out on this memorable journey.

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Printable Lessons
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6 Months to Complete
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Start Anytime
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Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

"Extraordinarily Helpful"

(4,510 votes)

Lesson 1: Definition of a Novel

This lesson describes the history of the novel, and the rewards and satisfaction of novel writing. 30 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video
Review Article: Word Count: How Long Should Your Novel Be?
Take Survey: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Your Novel
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2: Work Philosophy

This lesson explains the Dos and Don'ts about writing schedules and motivation. 15 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Review Article: How to Deal with Writer's Block
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: Novel Writing Methods

This lesson explains the different forms, methods, and development for writing novels. 19 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Selecting a Specific Class

This lesson discusses short stories and novella writing. 19 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Review Article: 10 Greatest American Short Story Writers
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Selecting a Specific Genre

When considering the type of genre you ultimately want to write, it is most important that you objectively assess your strengths as a writer, the time you will be able to commit to the project, and the level of interest you have for specific subjects. 20 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Take Poll: Lesson 5 Poll: Choosing a Genre
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Selecting a Point of View (POV)

This lesson explains the four points of view an author can use. 10 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Review Article: Establishing the Right Point of View
Take Poll: Lesson 6 Poll: Choosing a Point of View
Complete: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Manuscript Formatting

In order for your work to be viewed as professional, and worthy of acquisition by a potential publisher, your manuscript will also need to be produced in the acceptable official form. 10 Total Points

Review Article: Manuscript Style Guidelines
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: Storyboarding

This lesson defines what a storyboard is, and how to make and use one in the novel-writing process. 20 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Review 2 Articles: Storyboarding; Storyboarding Software
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Synopsis Formation

This lesson explains what a synopsis is, and how to write one. 19 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Take Poll: Lesson 9 Poll: Writing a Synopsis
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Five Elements Involved in Fiction Writing

This lesson describes the five elements that are crucial to writing a novel. 30 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Review Article: Stephen King's Tips
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11: Building Character Development

This lesson explains the phases to go through as you develop your characters. 30 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12: Plot/Conflict Development

This lesson explains how to establish a plot and conflicts. 30 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13: More on Plot

This lesson discusses the different types of plot structures. 30 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14: Setting and Theme

This lesson explores the different types of settings and themes, and the importance of ensuring that continuity carries throughout the novel. 30 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video
Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15: Style and Tone

In this lesson we discuss the style and tone of a novel and the difference between tone and mood. 29 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video
Review Article: Style and Tone
Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16: Climax Building

This lesson describes how to build tension that leads to a climax. 30 Total Points

Lesson 16 Video
Review Article: Adding Subplots
Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17: Critical Scenes

This lesson defines critical scenes, and their placement within the novel. 30 Total Points

Lesson 17 Video
Review Article: Starting Your Research
Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18: Cause & Effect

This lesson describes the cause-and-effect actions that are critical to a novel's plot. 29 Total Points

Lesson 18 Video
Complete: Lesson 18 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 18 Exam

Lesson 19: Dialogue

This lesson discusses the importance of dialogue, and how to make it realistic. 30 Total Points

Lesson 19 Video
Complete: Lesson 19 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 19 Exam

Lesson 20: Illustrative Details/Exposition

This lesson discusses imagery, style, allusions, and symbolism in writing. 28 Total Points

Lesson 20 Video
Review Article: Modes of Writing
Complete: Lesson 20 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 20 Exam

Lesson 21: Inclusion and Exclusion

This lesson explains the dos and dont's of adding too much clutter to your writing. 30 Total Points

Lesson 21 Video
Review 2 Articles: 50 Dos and Don'ts; Thoughts on Writing
Complete: Lesson 21 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 21 Exam

Lesson 22: Writing a Conclusion

This lesson explains the different ways to bring closure to your novel. 30 Total Points

Lesson 22 Video
Review 2 Articles: Conclusions; How To Write The Ending Of Your Novel
Take Poll: Lesson 22 Poll: Satisfying Outcomes
Complete: Lesson 22 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 22 Exam

Lesson 23: Polishing of Prose

This lesson explains how to proofread your writing. 40 Total Points

Lesson 23 Video
Review 3 Articles: Proofreading Tips; Purple Prose; Writing Dates and Times
Complete: Assignment 23A
Complete: Lesson 23 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 23 Exam

Lesson 24: Checklist of Questions

This lesson discusses how to remove clutter, and refine your manuscript. 30 Total Points

Lesson 24 Video
Review 2 Articles: Check List for Fiction Writers; Editing Checklist
Complete: Lesson 24 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 24 Exam

Lesson 25: Publish or Perish: Getting Ready to Submit

This lesson discusses the different ways to submit your work for publishing. 28 Total Points

Lesson 25 Video
Review Article: Random House: What I Look For in a Rough Draft
Take Poll: Lesson 25 Poll: Query Letter
Complete: Lesson 25 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 25 Exam

Lesson 26: Writing a Novel: Final Take Aways

Inspirational quotes by some well-known authors, why they write, and why people read novels. 45 Total Points

Lesson 26 Video
Review Article: Recompose Magazine Submissions
Take Poll: Lesson 26 Poll: Favorite Quotes
Take Survey: Course Completion Comments
Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Final Assignment
Complete: Lesson 26 Assignment

691

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Define what a novel is.
Describe working philosophy.
Summarize novel writing methods.
Select a specific class to write about.
Select a specific genre to write about.
Select a Point of View (POV).
Summarize manuscript formatting.
Create a storyboard.
Define the synopsis.
Summarize five elements involved in fiction writing.
Describe building character development.
Describe plot/conflict development.
Summarize plot requirements.
Create the setting, theme, style and tone.
Create climax. Identify critical scenes. Recognize cause and effect.
Create proper dialog and illustrative details.
Write a conclusion. Edit and revise. Publish the work, and
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
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Course Title: Novel Writing 101

Course Number: 9770547

Lessons Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars (4,510 votes)

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > Writing Help > Creative Writing Courses

Course Type: College Level (Self-Paced, Online Class)

CEU Value: 2.2 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: Dana Kristan

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Duration: Continuous: Enroll anytime!

Course Fee: $65.00 (no CEU Certification) || with Online CEU Certification: $90.00

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"The instructor must have been very open-minded to accept different avenues of the imagination and also to accept the "real slice of life" as she put it." -- Mary M.