Plot Threads: How to Structure a Novel

with Jack Smith

plot threads how to structure your novel


10 to 14 weeks

$745.00

$745.00Enroll Now

If you’re ready to dive deeply into the art of creating a compelling plot for your novel, this course is for you. Designed as a private, text-based learning experience, you’ll learn how to draft and develop an engaging main plot with relevant subplots, distinguish between a portrait and a novel, and understand how plot drives character arcs and generates theme. You’ll also uncover the interplay between plot and setting, building a strong foundation for your novel’s structure. Along the way, you’ll also explore the essential elements of fiction to support all aspects of your storytelling.

Each week, you’ll experiment by writing parts of a novel, up to 3,000 words, giving you hands-on practice in plotting while generating material for current or future novel projects. With prompt feedback from me on every assignment, you’ll refine your skills and gain the confidence to bring your story ideas to life.

This course welcomes writers at all levels, whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise in plotting and novel writing.

Learn how to structure your novel. Gain hands-on practice in plot threads, character arcs, and everything else you need to bring your story to life.

Who This Course is For

This course is for early-stage and experienced writers interested in learning about and improving their plotting techniques.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, you will learn:

  • The nature and function of plot.
  • The difference between a character portrait and a novel.
  • The importance of plot in terms of character arc.
  • How to Determine the number of plot threads to include in a novel.
  • How the main plot works from the inciting incident to the resolution.
  • The relationship between the subplots and the main plot.
  • To Recognize when a plot thread is complete.
  • How a specific plot can suggest a larger theme.

Writing Goals

In this course, you will learn to write: 

  • A succinct plot summary.
  • A novel versus a character portrait.
  • An organized bundle of plot threads for a specific novel project.
  • A main plot thread, from the inciting incident to the resolution.
  • Subplots that work in harmony with the main plot.
  • Settings that demonstrate the relation to character and plot.
  • A portion of a novel based on the various fictional components covered in this course.

Weekly Syllabus

Week One: What is Plot?

We’ll cover how plot works in a novel, how plot is not just the story line but the logical connections between story developments.

Assignment: Write a short piece (500 words) planning out the plot of a novel.

Week Two: Plot and Character—Avoiding a Portrait or a Slice of Life Work of Fiction

This week, you’ll learn to distinguish between a portrait and a novel, in which the protagonist must be a dynamic character, one who undergoes change from various conflicts.

Assignemnt: First, write a character portrait, then the start of a novel. Submit up to 3,000 words for feedback. 

Week Three: How Does Plot Fit into the Character Arc?

What will be the impact on the protagonist of a sequence of conflicts?  To what extent will the protagonist change?

Assignment: Practice developing plot from the complication to the resolution. Submit up to 3,000 words for feedback. 

Week Four: What are Plot Threads, and How Many Can You Have?

Plot threads include the main plot and subplots—with enough of the latter to round out the character and perhaps parallel—or relate in some way to—the main plot.

Assignment: Create a main plot and two subplots, demonstrating the relationship between the two and the importance of these subplots.  Keep to 3,000 words, summing up missing, relevant story parts. 

Week Five: Revisiting the Main Plot Thread with Focus and Development

This week you’ll work on building a sequence of conflicts that develop the main plot. 

Assignment: Keep to 3,000 words, developing selected conflicts, summing up missing, relevant parts.   

Week Six: Revisiting Subplot Threads with Focus on Developing Them in Relation to the Main Plot Thread

Subplots function in at least two ways:

  • To develop another side to the character beyond what’s revealed in the main plot.
  • To enhance the main plot by creating a plot thread which relates in some way to the main plot

Assignment: Start a new novel with a main plot and one subplot. Develop the latter up to 3,000 words, summing up missing, relevant story parts.

Week Seven: Developing versus Losing a Subplot

This week, we’ll focus on recognizing when a plot thread is complete and avoiding dropping needed plot threads.

Assignment: Try out a main plot and subplot and decide whether the subplot is needed—or could be dropped.  If not, then complete the subplot thread, keeping to 3,000 words, summing up missing, relevant story parts.  

Week Eight: Subplots and Theme

Distinguish plot from theme.  While plot is specific and concrete, theme is general and abstract.  Novels can have different plots but the same theme.

Assignment: In a new storyline or one you’ve worked with before, decide based on the plot/subplots what your overall theme is. Submit up to 3,000 words. Go ahead and tinker with the work as long as you don’t force things.  State the theme in one sentence.

Week Nine: Plot and Setting

Discover the link between character, plot, and setting.  Start a novel and work in setting details which relate to the protagonist’s major conflicts.

Assignment: Write a maximum of 3,000 words, summing up story parts left out. 

Week Ten: Summary of Key Ideas

In our final week, we’ll review the fictional aspects covered in this course. 

Assignment: Write a piece of 3,000 words max, thinking about the relationships between each fictional aspect, carefully producing a unified piece of writing. 

Why Take a Story Structure Course with Writers.com?

  • We welcome writers of all backgrounds and experience levels, and we are here for one reason: to support you on your writing journey.
  • Small groups keep our online writing classes lively and intimate.
  • Work through your weekly written lectures, course materials, and writing assignments at your own pace.
  • Share and discuss your work with classmates in a supportive class environment.
  • Award-winning instructor Jack Smith will offer you direct, personal feedback and suggestions on every assignment you submit.

$745.00Enroll Now

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Student Feedback for Jack Smith:

Both the expert analysis from Jack and the gracious feedback from other classmates were invaluable to my writing process. Jack pointed out things I hadn’t thought of while also giving direction on writing that needed reworking. I’m confident that this course has made me a better writer. Highly recommend it! Keith Murphy

Excellent experience, it guided/forced me to create the structure of the novel before trying to tell the story. Tammera Bollman

Great class! It was fun to experiment with the limitlessness of fiction. Jack is a great teacher—he was very accessible and responded promptly to assignments and questions. Jaki Eisman

Wonderful. Jack delivered fresh perspectives on my writing that I haven’t gotten anywhere else. Ian Fossberg

As always, Jack’s novel writing workshop was an outstanding way to get quality feedback on my draft novel. I value Jack’s suggestions on how to improve the story and my writing, along with the critiques of other students. Jack is encouraging, by pointing out what is working, and direct and respectful when pointing out what could be improved. My novel has definitely improved from taking this workshop. Kirsten Olsen

Great course. Jack adds valuable feedback and is always encouraging to the writer. He is honest and helps steer the writer into improving their writing. Margaret Johnson

Jack is fantastic! His feedback is so helpful. He helped me feel confident in the areas I was strong in and constructive on the areas I needed to be better. I would take another course from him in a heartbeat! Courtnay Waitley

This is my first course with Jack but it certainly won’t be my last! When I started this course I had a nugget of an idea for a thriller novel, and through the course lessons, assignments, and feedback I have taken that idea and built a world full of characters, plot and a meaningful chapter outline. Because of Jack’s feedback and critique, I not only created a launching pad to begin writing my book, but now have the confidence and drive to actually write it! Alyssa Trunfio

Jack was great, supportive and gave me excellent feedback to improve my novel and writing overall. The class has really pushed my novel forward and I’m excited to take Jack’s next class. Christy Czarnecki

I made the progress I was hoping to make on my novel and I really appreciated some of the feedback from other writers on the course. Jack is able to offer valuable feedback and advice at many different levels, whether formatting (dialogue!) or developmental. Kerry Anderson

Jack was a wonderful instructor. He provided in depth feedback for my writing submissions. He is a very devoted teacher who loves to share the craft of writing fiction to his students! Deborah Strozier

I had an excellent experience with Jack Smith at the helm. He addressed issues individually, but also provided group instruction when common problems appeared. Claudia Falzarano

Jack was very constructive with his feedback. I was very lucky to share the course with competent, positive, and constructive students. I learned a lot and enjoyed the process! Jose Di Mase

Jack was great – a perfect combination of praise and useful guidance. He was supportive and encouraging throughout and always on hand to answer any questions. I plan to do more courses with him. Paul Kimm

Really good. Jack is supportive and enthusiastic and honest. Erica Eisdorfer

Jack’s lessons and assignments were just what I wanted—I have generated much new writing and practiced the skill of fictionalizing my ‘material’ and freeing myself from the confines of writing exactly how things happened. Eileen Wiard

I began the course with ideas and some experience writing from another one of Jack’s courses, and I have ended the eight weeks with a solid plot outline. As Jack wrote to me when he sent his feedback, I am ready to write my novel! Resham Karfa

Jack is a fabulous teacher, and his course was perfect for me. The assignments and Jack’s guidance helped me gain confidence and set myself free from the “tyranny” of facts, in Jack’s words. The experience was very liberating, enjoyable, and productive. Dung-Chi Tran

I moved forward with my story because of Jack’s direction and went much further than would have happened without these sessions. Jack’s feedback was clear and helped me consider revisions that improve the flow and plot ideas. Jack responds quickly to submissions and questions, which is assuring. Cheryl Israel

I appreciated Jack’s thoughtful critiques, both of my work and of the work of my classmates. Jack and my classmates were very helpful. Jack’s critiques definitely assisted me in making this a stronger manuscript. Sharon O’Toole

I found the earlier exercises extremely helpful and came away feeling encouraged about my novel idea and excited to continue working on it. [Jack] was accessible and encouraging and gave excellent feedback. I would take another of his classes, perhaps when I am farther along with my project and looking for structure and feedback. I just want to say again how much I appreciated the teacher’s attentive and individualized feedback and encouragement. This was my first fiction-writing experience, and it felt like a risk. I was in good hands with Jack. Elizabeth Hawkins

Excellent and beyond. Gordon Pelton

I couldn’t ask for a better instructor. Jack shared a wealth of resource materials, allowed us to submit lengthy pieces of work, and gave detailed feedback and made suggestions for improvement. I really enjoyed this course, thanks to Jack Smith’s leadership and the class participants. What more could you ask for?

This course was a great educational experience. I look forward to working with Jack more in the future. Cheryl Johnson

Jack was very patient and attentive. His comments were on the mark and he made helpful suggestions. Having a group of intelligent and sympathetic readers, including Jack, was enormously helpful. Especially during this disjointed time, when weekends and weekdays blend together and I’m not able to meet with friends, I found it much easier to make progress. Barbara Ensor

Jack was very encouraging and provided me with helpful feedback. His comments are friendly but also critical, which is important with writing, as too many compliments and not enough critical opinions aren’t helpful. The class content was engaging. I’ve already recommended the class to a friend and will continue to do so. And I’m taking another class at the moment. I’ve been very happy with my experience. Shay Meinecke

This was the second time I took the novel workshop with Jack and I’ve signed up for a third. Having a weekly deadline to post new material is exactly what I need to finish my draft novel. Jack does a great job meeting each writer wherever they are in their writing skill level and in drafting their book. The platform is easy to work with. I plan to keep taking this workshopping course until my draft novel is finished. Kirsten Olsen

We had a great group: everyone was engaging, and Jack was wonderful. He was very prompt with feedback. He pointed out areas of improvement and was very encouraging, gave positive feedback on areas that were strong. I will take another class with Jack. Sharon Mirza

I came out of the course feeling much more confident than I was when I started it, with pieces in my writing that I can use. I am also happy to have discovered that memoir and fiction are not mutually exclusive but can be blended to create new truths. Sharon Bakar

Jack does an excellent job of accepting each of his students where they are on their writing journey. Anne Virtue

Though I have gained much valuable knowledge from the workshops I have taken at Writers.com, I felt it would be advantageous for me to get private tutoring as well.  After much hesitation, I read several stories instructor Jack Smith had posted on the site.  His stories resonated with me, so I took the plunge and connected with Jack.   It was one of the best things I have done for my writing in a very long time.  Jack is a personable and pleasant fellow whose suggestions and advice were of immeasurable value to the story I submitted for his critique.  Moreover, I felt I received very good value for the time spent on the piece.

I fully intend to continue working with Jack into the future.  I am confident my writing will consistently improve as a result of the tutoring I will receive from Jack Smith. Rebecca Hanley

I was adrift; writing brings me a great deal of joy and somehow I wasn’t able to begin. I couldn’t make the dive. Jack’s assignments helped me put a toe in. And his responses to my writing helped me tread water. And then: momentum! So I’m very grateful. Erica Eisdorfer

This was probably the best online writing class I’ve taken in terms of what I learned from it and class participation. I found the lessons very useful, and will incorporate them in how I write… Jack was very thoughtful, conscientious, and informative. He did a great job with the class… I would definitely recommend your classes. This was my second class from you, and I’m enrolled in Jack’s May novel writing class…I’ve taken online writing classes from UCLA, Gotham, Writer’s Digest, and Writers.com. I must say I’ve really enjoyed Writers.com. Thank you! Bill Hughes

The weekly assignments for Jack Smith’s new course on Writing Autobiographical Fiction served to focus our efforts. A wide range of topics allowed us to probe our memories to create memoirs and then turn them into fiction. This process is an effective exercise and it got my creative juices flowing. Barbara Levin

Jack is a fantastic teacher. He is infinitely patient, doesn’t take anything personally, and he is supportive without relinquishing his desire to provide us with detailed, specific, constructive criticism. I of course worked with him longer later and was very impressed with his ability to refrain from taking offense when I did not use one of his suggestions, but simply anticipate why I might be hesitant to do so and offer a solution that could satisfy the need I had which prevented me from making changes to the text to begin with. In other words, he is humble, smart, and flexible; even wise, and that is not a word I use lightly. He seems to find the balance between allowing students their own style and self-expression while correcting everything that needs to be corrected. Finally, I really appreciated in Jack his sense of humor, which is subtle and compassionate. His way of constructing a class and giving feedback allows students to feel encouraged and supported even when he is busy with correcting our text and way of working so we may become better writers. He just kept on making suggestions patiently on where and how I could use an image to help my scene, so that without even noticing, I acquired a good habit and will never again NOT think of using more visuals with descriptions. Same goes for using action instead of telling, or avoiding clichés. I hope you will use Jack for more classes in the future, he is truly a gifted teacher….Thank you for creating and leading the best online writing website I have tried (and I have tried several). Marcella Agh

I enjoyed [the novella class]. I also really enjoyed the suggested reading. I realized the first week I wasn’t quite prepared. Jack’s suggestion to beef up my outline was the best advice I could have received. It wasn’t easy writing those 3000 words a week, but at least I didn’t have to think “what” I needed to write about. With the outline, it came fairly easy… As for Jack … I thought he was personable, but with just the right amount of “removed” to make a good reviewer. In my case, he pointed out things I didn’t even think about and he was very supportive. He focused mostly on concept, and in a first draft, I believe this is critical. I have recommended you to other people. I am glad you are there for me.  Anne Jennings

I found the lessons and the assignments to be inspiring and challenging.Jack gave helpful and encouraging feedback. He is a well read and accomplished writer, so his critique and input was astute. I think your offerings are fantastic. There is something for everyone, IMO. As a beginning writer, it’s also nice that the classes all seem to be geared towards all levels. I can already see that you get what you put in with the classes, and that’s ideal. I would definitely recommend your classes. I immediately enrolled in another class, so yes, I will probably keep taking classes with your site! Debra Barclay

Jack Smith is a very good teacher to work with. So much that I will be taking another course with him in a month! His assignments were clear, his resources useful, and his feedback rapid and helpful. He responded swiftly to questions and gave advice on how to grow for the following week, and overall. Resham Karfa

Jack consistently provided detailed, thoughtful and helpful feedback. I’ve taken many courses with Writers.com so my repeated presence says more than any words I can add. Shawn Montgomery

Jack is excellent at gently pointing out how what you’ve written might not work or might not come across as authentic. His comments and suggestions are clear and very helpful. Reading other students writing and comments on their work gives depth to the whole experience. I really learned a lot from his guidance to me and to the other students. The additional reading materials Jack provided are excellent. Louise Aiello

I was very pleased with the class. Jack gave me great feedback. I think I made real progress on my novel and hope to take this class again in March. Jack is able to point out areas where you need more development as well as compliment your writing when he feels it is good. His feedback was invaluable to me. I’ve already recommended this course to my writing friends. It was so practical in helping me push through the writing of a novel and it’s made me believe that I will actually complete it!  Julia Gentile


10 to 14 weeks

$745.00

$745.00Enroll Now

Jack Smith

About

Jack Smith’s MA is in creative writing, his PhD in English. He has published six novels and four nonfiction books. His novels include: If Winter Comes (2020), RUN (2020), Miss Manners for War Criminals (2017), Being (2016), Icon (2014), and Hog to Hog, which won the 2007 George Garrett Fiction Prize and was published by Texas Review Press in 2008. His seventh novel, Madness, the first in his series FATE, is scheduled to be published soon by Pierian Springs Press. Amor Fati is to be published on Valentine’s Day, and Mayhem, the second in the series FATE, is to be published later in 2025. He is currently at work on the third in the series, entitled Chaos.  He has published stories in a number of literary magazines, including Southern Review, North American Review, Texas Review, Xconnect, In Posse Review, and Night Train. His reviews have appeared widely in such publications as California Review of Books, Ploughshares, Georgia Review, American Book Review, Prairie Schooner, Mid-American Review, Pleiades, the Missouri Review, Xconnect, and Environment magazine. He has published several dozen articles in both Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market and The Writer magazine.  His creative writing book, Write and Revise for Publication: A 6-Month Plan for Crafting an Exceptional Novel and Other Works of Fiction, was published in 2013 by Writer’s Digest Books. A collection of his articles—Inventing the World: The Fiction Writer's Guidebook to Craft and Process—was published by Serving House Books in 2018. His latest nonfiction book is Contributions to Literature: A Tribute to Small Press Books. His coauthored nonfiction environmental book entitled Killing Me Softly was published by Monthly Review Press in 2002. Besides his writing, Smith was fiction editor of The Green Hills Literary Lantern, an online literary magazine published by Truman State University, for 25 years.