Plan Your Novel in Eight Weeks: Online

Class Description

If you love the scenes you’ve written, but you’re not sure how they connect to a larger story; if you’re torturing yourself editing and re-editing your opening chapters because you can’t figure out how to move forward, then this class is for you! We’ll spend a couple of weeks getting to know your characters: understanding who they are, what they want, and what unique obstacles they face. Then, we’ll transform those essential story elements into a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline that gives shape to your ideas and incorporates them into a viable plot that will give your story direction, purpose, and momentum. We’ll read and discuss a novel together to better understand how its story machinery functions, and how to apply those structures to your own work, and you’ll submit your outline for feedback from fellow classmates and the instructor. You’ll leave class with a blueprint for your novel that can guide you all the way to a finished draft.

*Note that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Assignments and deadlines will be given by your instructor. Students will have access to the online class portal starting at 5pm on the first day of class. Instructions for logging onto the online portal will be emailed to registered students before 5pm the first day of class.

Did you know that we have scholarships available for all GrubStreet classes? To apply, click the "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button in the top right corner of this page. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your scholarship application and await our Scholarship Committee's decision before registering for the class. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.