{"product_id":"plot-like-a-pro-fiction-writing-workshop-online","title":"Plot Like a Pro: Story Structure \u0026 Narrative Engineering 4-Week Zoom Intensive with Andrew Buckley Starts on Monday, January 11th, 2027","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBegins Monday, January 11th, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Mondays, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e(Sessions: January 11, 18, 25, and February 1, 2027)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstructor Andrew Buckley is a novelist, screenwriter, and keynote speaker who has spent more than twenty years crafting stories across page and screen. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eHair in All the Wrong Places\u003c\/em\u003e, a darkly funny supernatural novel that blends teenage awkwardness with full-moon complications, and the co-writer of the feature horror-comedy \u003cem\u003eKnight Terror\u003c\/em\u003e. When he isn't writing novels, screenplays, or his next unreasonable number of projects, Andrew can usually be found searching for ways to bend space and time to fit more minutes into the day. He is represented by Nikki Terpilowski at Holloway Literary. Beyond traditional publishing, he also creates immersive narrative experiences, including the popular \u003cem\u003eDeadly Dinner Parties\u003c\/em\u003e series.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis online writing class is for fiction writers ready to level up their plotting and structure by studying multiple story frameworks, learning the art of structural analysis, and applying it directly to their own work. Whether you're a devoted plotter, a proud pantser, or somewhere in between, you'll leave with tools you can put to work immediately. If you have a project underway and want a stronger architectural foundation for it, this course is for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery memorable story is built on a strong structural foundation. In this practical four-week writing workshop, you'll learn how professional writers use story architecture to create compelling plots, memorable turning points, satisfying climaxes, and emotionally resonant endings. Across four live Zoom sessions, we'll move from the underlying principles of structure to hands-on application on your own project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe'll explore a range of proven storytelling frameworks, including Three-Act Structure, Freytag's Pyramid, the Hero's Journey, and Save the Cat, along with techniques for blending and adapting them to suit your voice, genre, and creative process. You'll also learn Andrew Buckley's original Writer's Sleight of Hand Method—a plotting approach inspired by the structure of stage magic. Rather than treating story as a fixed series of beats, Writer's Sleight of Hand focuses on controlling reader expectations through misdirection, escalation, reveals, and emotionally satisfying payoffs, giving writers a flexible alternative for building surprise and tension while maintaining strong narrative structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough guided exercises, story analysis, and a collaborative movie breakdown, this creative writing workshop combines craft instruction with applied practice. You'll receive instructor feedback on your developing structure and finish with a working blueprint for your own project—plus a deeper understanding of the revision strategies that keep readers turning pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this course, students will produce a completed beat sheet or structural outline for a current writing project using the framework of their choice, along with a plot map identifying major turning points, conflicts, climaxes, and character progression. Students will develop a practical understanding of multiple story-structure models and when each is most effective, and will leave with a personalized structural approach that fits their writing style—whether they outline extensively or discover stories as they write.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudents are encouraged to share their developing beat sheets and outlines throughout the course. Andrew provides instructor feedback on structural decisions, pacing, story logic, and narrative development during class discussions and project workshops, and students also take part in guided peer analysis exercises designed to strengthen a project's overall architecture before drafting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReadings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a craft-based class with no required textbook; core materials are provided through the classroom. Films and texts we'll analyze and discuss may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJaws (1975) – reverse-engineering story structure and narrative escalation\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirty Dancing (1987) – the Hero's Journey, Writer's Sleight of Hand, and emotional payoff\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Mummy (1999) – Save the Cat and alternative structure breakdowns via story beats\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGone Girl by Gillian Flynn – structural misdirection and expectation management\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – classical narrative payoff and character-driven structure\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler – modern narrative story structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 1: The Architecture of Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocus: Discover why story structure exists, why readers instinctively respond to it, and how to recognize the underlying architecture of successful stories. We'll explore foundational models including Three-Act Structure and Freytag's Pyramid, examining why structure is a flexible guide rather than a rigid formula. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivity: Students identify the structural shape of a favorite novel or film and begin mapping the major turning points of their own project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 2: Hero's Journey, Save the Cat \u0026amp; Blending Frameworks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFocus: Compare two of the world's most influential plotting systems and explore when—and when not—to use them. Learn how experienced writers borrow from multiple frameworks instead of following any single formula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivity: Students create a beat sheet for their own story using one or more structural models and discuss which framework best supports their project's genre and goals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 3: Writer's Sleight of Hand Method, Building Tension \u0026amp; Short Story Structure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFocus: Learn Andrew Buckley's original Writer's Sleight of Hand framework, which uses the principles of stage magic to design stories around misdirection, escalation, revelation, and payoff. We'll also examine techniques for sustaining tension and adapting structural principles to short fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivity: Students revise their existing outline using Writer's Sleight of Hand principles, identifying opportunities for stronger foreshadowing, twists, and emotional payoff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 4: Reverse Engineering \u0026amp; Movie Breakdown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFocus: Apply everything learned by dissecting the structure of a successful film and examining why each major beat works. We'll also discuss common structural problems and strategies for revising works in progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActivity: Students workshop their own structural outlines in small groups, receive instructor feedback, and leave with a revised blueprint ready for drafting or revision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA clear, adaptable story blueprint tailored to your writing style\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA working understanding of major structural models (Three-Act Structure, Freytag's Pyramid, the Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, and the Writer's Sleight of Hand Method)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractical tools for building tension, planting payoff, and designing strong act breaks\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHands-on experience creating beat sheets and structural diagrams for your own project\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA completed beat sheet or structural outline and a plot map for a current project\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA sharper analytical eye for pacing, stakes, and narrative momentum in films and novels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTESTIMONIALS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Andrew is an expert presenter, who's incredibly confident and flexible and always sure to make everyone feel involved in an unforgettable session.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e— Former Student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Loved it so much. Energizing and exciting. Andrew has a calm personality. I like his style in teaching a class.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e— Former Student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Fantastic. Always great with Andrew—he teaches so well and I walk away encouraged and excited about writing.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e— Former Student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Although the class had aspiring authors of all ages, Andrew went out of his way to relate his teachings to all of us. Both older and younger writers were encouraged to interact with the class. Andrew managed to relate to our trepidation, calming our fears while encouraging even the most timid to continue to write. I would heartily encourage anyone who has even an inkling of interest in writing a novel to take this course and tap into your inner author!\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e— Former Student\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTuition is $330 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstructor: Andrew Buckley\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBegins Monday, January 11, 2027\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClass will meet weekly via Zoom on Mondays, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET (January 11, 18, 25, and February 1, 2027)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTuition is $330 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49833783296248,"sku":null,"price":483.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/AndrewBuckleyHeadshot2026.png?v=1783267700","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-au\/products\/plot-like-a-pro-fiction-writing-workshop-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}