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Planning Your Novel: Create a Structure and System to Complete Your Book 4-Week Zoom Class, Starts Tuesday, July 30th, 2024
Regular price
¥51,700

Planning Your Novel: Create a Structure and System to Complete Your Book 4-Week Zoom Class, Starts Tuesday, July 30th, 2024


Unit price per

Begins Tuesday, July 30th, 2024

Now Enrolling!

The class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 3:00PM - 4:30PM EST

Open to All writers!

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.

Whether you’re a pantser or a plotter—or you don’t even know what either word means!—creating a vision for your novel is the best way to build a believable book that’s easy to write. Avoid the saggy middle or stalling the process because you don’t know where your story is going! This course will walk you through the step-by-step process of planning out a novel and then learning how to start writing it. We’ll look at how to find background research to bolster your characters and scenes, how to understand the narrative arc, how to find compelling conflict and reassuring resolution, and how to build believable characters. You’ll emerge from this course loving the process of writing a novel! Taught by novelist and writing coach Lynne Golodner, you’ll gain the skills needed to become a career novelist, writing book after book with satisfaction and enjoying the process. This is a 4-week Zoom-only course.


Lynne is the author of nine books and thousands of articles and a marketing entrepreneur, writing coach and host of the Make Meaning Podcast. After working as a journalist in New York and Washington, D.C., Lynne returned to Detroit. She helps authors create writing careers, book marketing strategies and finish book projects. In 2023, Lynne founded Scotia Road Books, an independent publishing imprint for women over 40. Lynne’s writing has appeared in 45th Parallel, Moment Magazine, Great Lakes Review, Saveur, the Chicago Tribune, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, the Detroit Free Press, Porridge Magazine, the Jewish Literary Journal, The Good Life Review, Hadassah Magazine, The Forward, Valiant Scribe, Story Unlikely, The Dillydoun Review, QuibbleLit, bioStories and YourTango, among many more publications. Plus, one of her essays was a finalist in the Annie Dillard Creative Nonfiction contest at Bellingham Review.

In this four-week class for writers who really want to write a book, we’ll look at how to create a structure and a system for completing a novel. A born “pantser,” Lynne Golodner taught herself to be a “plotter” to make writing a novel a year easy and achievable. She’s on track to meet that goal and might even surpass it, now that she has a structure for planning out her novels.

In this class, Lynne will walk writers through the systemic approach to planning out a novel while discussing the common pitfalls, blocks and frustrations of writing a novel. This class will help you open your eyes and awaken your creativity to the ease that could exist in the writing process.

Class sessions will use a modified “Beat Sheet” to walk writers through the typical arc of a novel. In four weeks, participants should emerge with a completed outline or plan for their novel and the confidence to be able to sit down and start writing to a schedule without interruption by fear or boredom. We’ll also explore the “saggy middle,” and other common novelist roadblocks, with tips for overcoming them.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week One: We’ll begin with introductions and build a class community, then look at a modified “Beat Sheet” to guide story-planning. We’ll discuss common reasons writers don’t finish a book that they really want to write and offer approaches to overcome inevitable blocks. We’ll create timelines and goals and then take a stab at the first three beats. Homework each week is encouraged to make progress on individual planning and then report back to the class in a private WhatsApp group and during subsequent class periods.

Week Two:  In this session, we’ll continue to make progress in our novel-planning, looking at the transformation that must occur for a protagonist or the arc of conflict and resolution that will carry the story through its beats. Participants will spend time in class continuing in their outlines or book plans. Homework each week is encouraged to make progress on individual planning and then report back to the class in a private WhatsApp group and during subsequent class periods.

Week Three: This session will look at the importance of knowing your characters deeply and well, and encourage writers to build character sketches of the essential characters. We’ll talk about the benefit of creating family trees to follow the connections in your book, and plot out action points to keep the reader engaged. Participants will spend time in class continuing in their outlines or book plans. Homework each week is encouraged to make progress on individual planning and then report back to the class in a private WhatsApp group and during subsequent class periods.

Week Four:  In our final session, we’ll discuss “the messy first draft,” the importance of revision and how to use critical feedback to make your novel stronger. We’ll look at how to set realistic goals for writing a novel, and discuss publishing paths and how to make the right decision for you. Participants will be invited to ask final questions and can share insights from their work-in-progress during this session. We’ll also set participants up to continue the momentum gained in this course and find accountability partners to keep going when the going gets hard!

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

  • Learn how to map out a novel efficiently and effectively
  • Complete at least half, if not all, of a full novel outline or plan
  • Build courage and confidence to write creatively and consider publishing
  • Explore how to deepen characters and understand plot points
  • Look at the narrative arc and the powerful transformations that need to happen from beginning to end of a novel
  • Gain insight into what it takes to create cohesive, compelling writing
  • Embrace the idea that writing is 80% revision and learn how to revise with a keen eye
  • Grow a repertoire of writing habits
  • Learn about the publishing process and gain confidence in deciding how to publish your novel
STUDENTS LOVE LYNNE:


"I really enjoyed my first Writing Workshop! I was surprised to find a class so perfectly geared toward what I needed and my skill and comfort level. I had no idea though of the inspiration, community, and support I would get from taking it. Lynne created an incredibly safe space for the class to come together, feel inspired, learn about ourselves and the craft of writing, and most importantly, to get us writing. I enjoyed the readings, and haven't felt this inspired to write in a long time. Well worth the cost and the risk of trying something new." -Ali S.

"Lynne Golodner offered an experience that improved my understanding of and skill with literary nonfiction writing. She offered responsive, insightful, and detailed suggestions that gave me ways to improve my writing. I am a beginner in this genre and her patience, expertise, and positive attitude motivated me to keep going. She was specific when saying 'show, don't tell, by suggesting action verbs, dialogue, using scenes, include sensory details, and more. Her "Finding Your Voice" class also offered a range of topics including suggestions of where to publish, how to publish, and ways to maintain on-going enthusiasm as I went deeper into my ideas, point of view, and reasons for creating essays. The class was an all-you-can-eat buffet!" -Dan F.

“This class has become the best part of my week.” -Olivet J.

"I have loved being with you and the other students, and the assignments have been great. You are a fabulous teacher.” -R.C.

"This was the finest writing/self-care combo I've done so far and I am truly grateful. I felt freed up; there was a flow that truly excited me and inspired me to continue the writing. You are a terrific teacher.” -Beth L.

"If you ever wanted motivation and input on your writing, this is a great workshop! Has helped me tremendously! I never considered myself as a writer but maybe just maybe I am becoming one!" -Beth M.

“Lynne’s writing workshop develops a writers resilience and creativity. Lynne challenged me to go deeper in my writing - to think beyond the words to the roots of experience. My writing is becoming stronger and more purposeful, and I have a renewed sense of confidence as I write my first book." -AB

"The writers workshop helped me explore a part of my personality and interests that I hadn't yet allowed myself to dig into. I feel more connected to who I am as a writer as well as all the other wonderful writers who participated. One of my favorite aspects of the workshop was being in a safe space, sharing a variety of pieces with people of different backgrounds and perspectives. Not only have I learned more about myself and others, but I have been exposed to so many new genres and writing topics. Thanks, Lynne!" -JR

"This was my first experience with a writing workshop and writing all together. I had such a wonderful experience that I signed up for Lynne's next workshop. I did not expect to come away with so much confidence! Lynne and the group were nurturing and wonderful. This workshop is for all levels of writers" -SA

"Lynne is changing my life. She keeps me accountable to my vision, and her confidence in me makes a huge difference." -Noreen E.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity to be surrounded by such inspiring women with exquisite instruction.” -Emily P.

“Thank you for being so encouraging.” -Betsy C.

"Lynne's workshop has provided me with the opportunity to receive quality feedback and editorial expertise in response to the work that I have chosen to share with this great group of ladies" -MN

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

For this class, we will have live weekly meetings via Zoom on Tuesdays from 3:00PM - 4:30PM EST.


PAYMENT OPTIONS:

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.

  • Class starts Tuesday, July 30th, 2024

  • Class will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 3:00PM - 4:30PM EST

  • All classes will meet online via Zoom.

If you have questions, please us the Chat Button or contact us via email HERE.

ABOUT LYNNE GOLODNER:

Lynne Golodner is the author of nine books and thousands of articles as well as a marketing entrepreneur, writing coach and host of the Make Meaning Podcast.

After working as a journalist in New York and Washington, D.C., Lynne returned to her native Detroit to pursue a freelance writing career and teach writing. In 2007, she created Your People, a marketing and public relations company with a focus on storytelling that guides authors in building their brands and marketing their work. In 2023, Lynne founded Scotia Road Books, an independent publishing imprint for women over 40.

Lynne’s writing has appeared in 45th Parallel, Moment Magazine, Great Lakes Review, Saveur, the Chicago Tribune, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, the Detroit Free Press, Porridge Magazine, the Jewish Literary Journal, The Good Life Review, Hadassah Magazine, The Forward, Valiant Scribe, Story Unlikely, The Dillydoun Review, QuibbleLit, bioStories and YourTango, among many more publications. Plus, one of Lynne’s creative nonfiction essays was a finalist in the Annie Dillard Creative Nonfiction contest at Bellingham Review.

Lynne teaches writing around the world, leads writers retreats and facilitates The Writers Community. She fuses her marketing expertise with her writing background in webinars and masterminds focused on arming writers with the tools to market their work and build consistent author brands.

A former Fulbright Specialist, Lynne graduated from University of Michigan (BA, Communications/English) and Goddard College (MFA, Writing) and earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Wayne State University.

She is the mother of four young adults and lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan with her archivist-husband Dan.