Start Your Novel

In this class you will have the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to take your novel idea and turn it into an outline and the first chapters of the novel. You will also have the opportunity to learn to introduce your main characters and conflict without getting bogged down in detail. In addition, instruction will be given on how to set up the story "universe"--that is the setting the protagonist inhabits and filtered through his or her perceptions. You will also have the opportunity to learn to continue moving the plot forward from its initial problem into additional complications. Finally, instruction will be given on the necessary hooks to keep readers interested and foreshadowing the ending from the beginning.
You will learn the techniques for beginning a novel through reading sample chapters from a classic novel "The Great Gatsby," recognized as a great 20th novel, and available online free. This novel will be used as a model in all of the novel writing courses.
In addition, students will participate in weekly writing exercises toward the completion of their novel chapters.

Week 1:
Topic: Getting ideas, difference between "short story scope" ideas and "novel scope ideas," deciding protagonist and main conflict, the genre of novel, and developing your idea into an outline
Read: outline of "Great Gatsby"
Write: Your novel idea and novel outline
Read and comment on peers' work

Week 2:
Topics: How to begin? Deciding the correct place in the story events to open your novel. Introducing the main characters, the protagonist, the point of view, and the story "universe"
Read: chapter 1of "The Great Gatsby"
Write: The first pages your novel
Read and comment on peers' work

Week 3:The Story universe
Topics: continuing the story, take your protagonist further into the new universe
Read: chapter 2 of "The Great Gatsby"
Write: next pages of your novel
Read and comment on peers' work

Week 4: The Inciting event
Topic: Something big happens: the protagonist is jolted out of his or her usual world and must act; the story really begins
Read: Chapter 3 "The Great Gatsby"
Write: The next pages of your novel
Read and comment on peers' work


Instructor: Stacia Ann

About The Instructor: Stacia Ann is an Linguistics Lecturer and Writing Instructor at the University of California. She has a doctorate of Education, Master's of Art in English/TESOL. This instructor has taught writing classes for over ten years. She also teaches academic writing and English as a Second Language at the University of the Pacific. A published author including works of short fiction and academic nonfiction including contest winning stories.