Have you ever read a novel or watched a movie and thought, “I can do better than that!”

Or maybe you started a novel only to realize you didn’t know where to go or how to finish it?

Maybe you’ve always been a daydreamer and would love to get the stories in your head to print, but you don’t think you can, that only “special” people can actually create books and other art?

If any of those describe you, then we have something in common. I'm an award-nominated fantasy author with over 1 million words in print, but I once thought I could never be a writer. Becoming an astronaut seemed more feasible that becoming an author! You see, there were two very important things I didn't understand: 1) We're all creators, made in the image of a Creator God, so it's far more reasonable to believe that I could create worthwhile and enjoyable works than not; 2) writing is a skill, which means it can be learned and I shouldn't expect to be able to sit down and write a masterpiece without first studying how that's done. All authors - like all actors and painters and athletes - started as nons, as non-authors (or non-actors or non-painters or non-athletes). But then they started writing and started studying the craft of writing, and kept at it, and became authors.

So that's why I created this course, to help creatives develop their skill and enjoy the learning process. (And I just like teaching and talking about great books and movies and being around other writers. And some of you might be the author of those great books I'm talking about in the future. Don't forget that when things get hard.)

Who is this class for?

This class is for anyone, teen and adult. The material is appropriate for homeschoolers looking for an elective credit.

What are the details of the course? 

Teacher: Elizabeth Kitchens, author and copyeditor

Lessons: 30

Format: Online

Equipment required: Computer with word processor, internet connection

Books required: Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English (Fourth Edition) by Patricia T. O'Conner and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print.

Course access lasts three years - because I want you motivated to learn but have time to take breaks if needed!

This option includes:

Video access

Assignments

Workbook (download)

--For three years

Mentor option

If you would like instructor feedback (from an award-nominated author and professional editor) on your assignments and short story project, please see the Mentorship option (https://i-write-with-ej-kitchens.teachable.com/p/i-w-r-i-t-e-how-to-write-a-novel-story-track-mentoring).

Class Schedule

This class runs on a Fall, Spring, Summer schedule.

You can purchase the class at any time, however, but the lessons are available on a drip schedule beginning these dates for 2024 (and similar for future years):

Spring 2024 class: January 9

Summer 2024 class: May 1

Fall 2024 class: August 7

Spring 2025: January 7

***You can request full access rather than drip access at any time. Drip access is to help keep students who desire the accountability on schedule, as they will receive an email notice that the lesson has released. Do note that, as of Dec. 2023, only the first sixteen lessons are available, as the rest of the course is still being built and will release week by week from January to April 2024.***

(Book links are affiliate links. This costs you nothing extra but helps me pay for the course platform.)

What do we cover in the class? 

The course is outlined according to the acronym I. W.R.I.T.E. I admit I am not a fan of acronyms, but this one came to me out of the blue, and I realized it was very useful, so we’re going with it. Twice, actually. Once for story elements and once for the actual writing. We’ll also look at what readers want in a story so you can create stories with a premise that captures reader interest. There will be assignments throughout the course to help you learn the techniques of great writing, and you'll write a short story (around 20,000 words) and a book proposal. You will also read two books over the course of the class to strengthen your grammar and writing: Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English (Fourth Edition) by Patricia T. O'Conner and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print .

Module 1: Story Elements and Knowing Your Reader

I: Introduction Introduction to writing a novel.

I: Ideas Where do we get ideas and how do we decide which ones to use?

W: World The story world (setting) is more than just the place the action happens but influences everything that happens.

R: Readers What do readers expect and want? Learn about genre, tone, book length, story hook, and blurb.

I: "I" (Characters) Who is telling the story? Characters and Point-of-View.

T: Trouble The all-important goals and conflict that drive your story.

E: Events (Plot) What happens in your story? Should you outline or discovery write?

E: Editing for big picture issues.

Module 2: Midpoint

Midpoint: Book proposals (even if you're not seeking traditional publishing, writing a book proposal will help you become a better author) and tips on beating "the Resistance" and other hindrances to writing.

Module 3: Going Deeper into Story and Words

I: Introduction to great writing. Description.

W: Words or not? Show/don’t tell.

R: Rhythm. Writing scene and sequel.

I: Interest. Capture reader interest with a great first line, a middle that doesn’t sag, and a satisfying ending.

T: Talk. Dialogue and action beats.

E: Editing. Self-editing and the different types of editing.

Module 4: The End.

Wrap up. What being an author is like, jobs for writers, how to get published, how to avoid scams, and references for future study. You'll turn in the final book proposal and short story.

Assignments

Weekly assignments are designed to help students learn to analyze the stories they consume for story elements and good writing technique and so learn from them. Students will also work on developing a short story (approximately 20,000 words) throughout the course and will use what they learn to create a book proposal. Students can post some of the assignments and ask questions in the online discussion board.

The short story will be a retelling of the classic "Beauty and the Beast" story. Why? Because having a framework eases the burden of starting everything from scratch. Retellings and fan fiction are how many of us started out. Retellings are very flexible, however, so you can do a lot with the idea.

Students will also read two books over the course of the class to strengthen their grammar and writing: Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English (Fourth Edition) by Patricia T. O'Conner and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print .

That’s the class summary. If you’re still with me, you may be wondering about me and why I am teaching the course and what experience I have in writing and teaching. Again, I’m Elizabeth (E.J. Kitchens), and I’m a freelance copyeditor, author of clean YA fantasy novels, and an instructor. I come from a family of writers but didn’t discover my own love of writing until I was twenty-six. Consequently, I have a science background and have taught college microbiology labs and community college biology courses. I enjoy teaching and writing and helping others with their writing.

If you want to check out my writing, you can find my books on my website here: https://www.ejkitchens.com.

See you in the course!