Writing Fiction Novels Write Novel Plots

Writing Fiction that Moves: Write page-turning novels by learning to write compelling plots!

In this course on plotting, you'll learn to write compelling short hooks for your query letters, and you'll learn how to plot a satisfying story that takes a character from point A to point B while keeping readers eagerly turning pages all the way.

If you're unpublished and having a hard time breaking in or if you're published but having a hard time breaking out, this course should help you.

You'll also be able to ask Sally questions in the course or on the companion Facebook page where she keeps office hours a couple of times a month.  

Sally has over 3000 satisfied students on Udemy. Join those happy students by joining this course. (oh, OK, there are a couple of disgruntled folks in that lot--you can't please all the people all the time. Thank God for money-back guarantees!) 

Is this course for you?

• If you have been trying to figure out how some writers are able to come up with plots that hook readers and keep them turning pages, this course is for you.

• If you’ve sold  your first book to publisher but you're not sure how you did it and your agent keeps kicking back the new books you’re sending her, then this course is for you.

• If you are a literary novelist you will scoff at this course, but you may be the one to get the most out of it because literary novelists are often great at character and voice and mood, but a little less great at writing page-turning novels with compelling  plots.

But . . .

• If you’ve already read The Hero’s Journey and if you understand the three-act structure and if you’ve read a lot of books on plot, this course may not be for you. Sally has put this course together as an answer to the submissions she sees that aren't working, so if you’ve been to a lot of classes already, her plot ideas here will probably not be new to you. They still might help you identify weakness you haven't previously noticed in your own manuscripts, though.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING about Sally's courses?

• . . .  I found the instructor's examples easy to follow, and I felt very engaged with the subject. Great course!  ~Geoff, (Udemy student)

• We had so many wonderful comments about you and your class on our evaluations. We hope you'll be able to join us again next summer. . . .  ~Lindy Jacobs (OCW Summer Conference Director)

• Sally's comments were specific and very helpful. It is such a gift to have a professional agent share how my pitch would be received. Sally is an oasis on the long, dry journey from writer to published author. Go ahead give her a try. You won't be disappointed. ~Maureen (Fiverr customer)

• Not like any course I've taken. Sally teaches in her own unique way and it works! At first, I was taken aback, but the wealth of information kept me moving through and I'm glad I did.  . . . ~Curtis (Udemy student)

• Thank you for your incredible class. It was a valuable, valuable learning experience. . . . ~Kimberly (Women on Writing student)

• Thank you so much. I got a lot out of the class and it gave me a lot to think about. I'm grateful for all the feedback. . . .   ~Christie (Women on Writing student)

• Thank you so much for your feedback . . . throughout the course. I appreciated how much you know about this field and your willingness to share your expertise.  ~Sandy (Women on Writing student)

• Here's the thing about Sally: she's going to be honest and direct with you. As a writer, that's EXACTLY what you want. Each time I've worked with her, Sally has quickly spotted my story's flaws -- and provided multiple suggestions to make it a stronger piece. Excellent, as always!  ~Barbie (Fiverr customer)

• This course is packed with practical advice from a professional agent. She knows what she's talking about. I see, now, what to look for when editing my manuscript. The added bonus of her laugh out loud examples made the time fly by. If you are a serious writer of fiction, you will do yourself a favor and take this course. There is too much information do take in in one sitting.  ~Kathleen (Udemy student)

And because Sally likes to be fair and balanced . . . 

• While I'm sure this woman is a great writer and great editor, I, unfortunately, didn't find her to be a very good teacher. There was a lot of "look at this example of writing. See how crappy it is? Don't write crappy like this!" *insert slap on the wrist. But there was no depth. Nothing you couldn't learn in Creative Writing 101, which is possibly the point. ~ Britt (Udemy student)

And last, but not least, this gal who really hated one course so much that she left a half-star rating. She perhaps did not see the irony in her remark about the course, which was, simply

• Too shallow.  -Mary (Udemy student)

Come on in if you dare. Step up. Invest in your dream. And in the end, if you hate the course, there is a 30-day, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee. And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things will be well. 

What this course promises:

If you do all the exercises, you'll finish the course with a novel completely plotted. You'll also get a simple template to follow for writing your short hooks and you'll come away understanding what elements go into some of the most compelling plots. We'll cover:

1. the normal life of the character
2. the inciting incident
3. the character's acceptance of the call to action
4. the character trying and failing and trying and failing
5. the dark night of the soul
6. the climax
7. the denouement

What this course does not promise:

• that it will be fast and easy
• that you will get a book contract at the end of the course
• that you will actually write an interesting book (It depends on how hard you are willing to work at it)

Some questions this course answers:

• What is one of the top reasons agents reject manuscripts?
• How do I plot a commercial novel?
• What are some plot elements that many bestselling novels have in common?
• Where should I start my story?
• What does it mean when agents say my book is too quiet?