Novel Planning Lab: Plot Promises, not Plotholes!

Class Description

Planning a novel can be overwhelming, but outlining doesn’t have to be tedious and rigid. It can be playful, experimental, and color-coded! This class will explore planning and outlining as a generative, iterative, and expansive process, with the big picture (and the big ideas) in mind.

Together, we’ll develop the framework of your novel from premise to subplots, with an eye towards the many tools that can keep your story moving forward. We’ll consider traditional and alternative organizing principles, like how images and motifs might influence the structure of your manuscript. And we’ll try out different methods for organizing your ideas and dive into some generative exercises aimed at clarifying your story, characters, and themes.

Each student will have an opportunity to share their outline (whether big-picture or select close-up) with the class for feedback in their own “planning lab.” As a group, we’ll dig for deeper meaning, brainstorm through stuck points, and help each other address plot holes, leaps of logic, and other inconsistencies with a bird’s eye view.

Your outline also doesn’t need to be a cage. You’ll leave class with a solid skeleton for your novel (plus maybe even a few ligaments) and the tools to flexibly reassess and modify your plans as needed while you move through the writing process.

Please note: Class will not meet on February 20th.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.