Writing a Publishable Novel or Story

How do you write a novel or story that grabs the attention of agents and publishers? How do you navigate the challenges of queries, pitches, and synopses? The answer starts with creating a story that stands out—and the foundation of every truly unforgettable story is its characters.

In this course, you’ll learn how to craft characters that will linger in your readers’ minds long after they turn the last page. These are the stories and characters that agents and editors are eager to publish. Through reading and analyzing a range of works—from flash fiction and short stories to novel excerpts—you’ll discover how successful authors create vivid, relatable characters. We’ll dive into writing exercises designed to deepen your understanding of character motivation, backstory, and development.

You’ll also gain practical insights into the publishing world. Whether your goal is traditional publishing or indie routes, you’ll learn the essentials of writing query letters, crafting synopses, and preparing pitches that will help your novel or story stand out in a competitive market.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how to create multidimensional characters, and how to position your story for success in the publishing world. You’ll walk away not just with writing techniques, but with the confidence to bring your story and its unforgettable characters to life—and to the attention of agents and publishers.

Who This Course is For

This course is for fiction writers of all levels. You will benefit from this course whether you’re ready to begin a novel or story, or already have a working draft.

Learning and Writing Goals

Learning Goals

In this course, you will learn to: 

• Write in scene rather than exposition.
• Add in gestures and habits to animate a character.
• Write a story with emotional impact and a character arc.
• Use original language and take risks with your writing.
• Analyze how well-published writers create characters that jump off the page.
• Utilize the structure of a story which may include rising action, falling action, and resolution.

Writing Goals

In this course, you will: 

• Complete various writing exercises to maximize your understanding of what makes fiction successful.
• Draft at least two stories or a novel opening. 
• Learn how to write a query, a synopsis, and a pitch for your novel.

Zoom Schedule 

During the six weeks, there will be four optional Zoom sessions held on Tuesdays from 7-8 PM Eastern. The dates for these meetings are February 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. 

Weekly Syllabus

Week 1: The Art of Writing in Scene

Think of your novel beginning or short story cinematically. Create a character sketch and then place that character in a setting where something will happen. As you watch this unfold in your mind, write what you see and hear. Keep in mind the pitch or logline you’ll craft to later sell your story. A pitch or logline is a one sentence description that incorporates plot, inciting incident, and something that shows character.

Week 2: Animating a Character

The characters that animate the best stories are flawed. They barrel headfirst into complications. Your job as their creator is not to make life easy for them. Write a draft with your character encountering an obstacle. All characters want something. Figure out what he/she/they want and find a roadblock. It can be literal (failed job interview, car accident, break-up) or intangible (fame, love, acknowledgement from the bigger world). Draft due. How will the character and the complications lead to a marketable story?

Week 3: Gestures and Habits, Reputation and Rumor

Characters are what characters do.  His nervous tic, her tendency to pick at her cuticles, their penchant for rearranging the utensils in the drawer all tell a reader something. How your character speaks implies how they feel. Assignment: Rewrite the above story to add in a habit or gesture that your character uses when stressed. Agents and publishers look for ways characters can differentiate themselves. Make your characters distinctive and different from each other.

Week 4: Lies, Deceptions, False Impressions, Endearments

What is your character hiding? What deceptions will drive your story? Does your character utter endearments while carrying on a secret other life? Think in terms of pitching this story. What secrets will unfold that make this a page-turner? Write Story #2 or continue this novel beginning to include something hidden.

Week 5: Non-Conformists, Unreliable Narrators. Queries, Pitches, and Synopsis

Rewrite a scene from your story or novel in progress and use a different point-of-view (POV). Play with the idea that your narrator may appear to be telling the truth until your throw the reader a few breadcrumbs indicating that he/she/they may not be entirely truthful. We will also go over the basics of queries (querytracker.com) and how to write a synopsis, a query letter, and a pitch to get a publisher or an agent. Revise Story #2 or continue to work on your novel for feedback. You may also pass in a sample synopsis, query or pitch for feedback. Post your synopsis for peer feedback.

Week 6: Telling Your Story

Revise your story to incorporate what you’ve learned about point-of-view (whose story is it?), character arc, and obstacles your character encounters. Pass in your final revision of the novel-in-progress or one of your stories as if you are ready to pitch it to an agent or publisher. Resources for moving forward will be provided.

Why Take a Fiction Writing 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 courses lively and intimate.
• Work through your weekly lectures, course materials, and writing assignments at your own pace.
• Share and discuss your work with fellow writers in a supportive course environment.
• Award-winning instructor Lisa Taylor will offer you direct, personal feedback and suggestions on every assignment you submit.

$445.00 Original price was: $445.00.$380.00Current price is: $380.00.Enroll Now