Master the 6 Essential Elements of Plot for Your Book
Enjoy learning successful techniques of writing craft from a bestselling author with examples from popular books and movies.
What you’ll learn
- Craft a “hook” opening to set your book’s tone and entice readers.
- Create an inciting incident to motivate your characters and kickstart your story.
- Learn why conflict is indispensable to every story, in all genres.
- Master reversals and revelations to enrich your plot.
- Focus your plot around clear turning points.
- Craft a climax that is richly satisfying for readers.
Course Content
- Understanding Story Structure –> 1 lecture • 8min.
- Crafting the Hook –> 1 lecture • 8min.
- The Inciting Incident –> 1 lecture • 26min.
- Mastering Conflict –> 1 lecture • 10min.
- Reversals and Turning Points –> 1 lecture • 13min.
- The Story Climax –> 1 lecture • 9min.
- Bonus Section –> 1 lecture • 4min.
Requirements
Enjoy learning successful techniques of writing craft from a bestselling author with examples from popular books and movies.
Plot Your Story: The 6 Pillars of Plot will help you create a book that excites publishers and thrills readers.
Many writers find plotting their book the most challenging part of the creative process. They love creating vibrant characters and illuminating their story’s themes but are often frustrated by plot.
Yet publishers and readers expect an engaging plot in any narrative. This is true whether your story is a literary novel, or popular fiction such as a mystery, thriller, romance, historical, science fiction, or fantasy. It even applies to a memoir. So any weakness in plot can be an obstacle to getting your book published.
There are proven ways to craft a compelling plot, and this friendly course guides you through the 6 essential elements your book needs to succeed. Those elements are:
- The Hook
- The Inciting Incident
- Clear Conflict
- Reversals
- Turning Points
- The Climax
Plot Your Story: The 6 Pillars of Plot gives you on-demand video lessons covering these 6 essentials. Each lesson focuses on indispensable writing techniques and is enriched with insights from my thirty years in the book business.
The course also includes transcripts of the videos, so you can read each lesson’s content. This makes a helpful checklist.
You’ll also get exercises, each one designed to help you hone your skills in mastering the six pillars of plot.
Mastering plot is crucial for writers at every level. If you’re at the beginning of your writing journey, this course will give you inspiration and set you on a clear path forward. If you’re an emerging or seasoned writer, you’ll learn how to boost your plot to the level of the bestsellers.
You’ll finish the course with a deep understanding of how to develop your story’s unique plot, and the confidence to complete your book.
This course is right for you if:
– You’ve got story ideas but need help getting organized.
– You love writing but fear you may not “have what it takes” to succeed.
– You feel you’re toiling alone, without the expert guidance needed to achieve your writing goals.
– You struggle to find time to write while juggling work and family commitments, so you’d benefit from a focused course to keep you on track.
– You want to identify possible weaknesses in your writing, with a plan for turning them into strengths.
– You feel energized by learning from a pro who respects your desire to grow as a writer and succeed.
Imagine this. Completing your novel and celebrating, because you know it’s the kind of book that can win an offer from a major publisher. There’s no satisfaction like that.
Who is your teacher?
I’m a bestselling author. Creating engaging characters and crafting compelling plots is what I do for a living.
My books — historical novels and thrillers — have been published by major New York publishers to wide acclaim, and over half a million copies have been sold worldwide. I’m represented by Writers House, one of the largest literary agencies in the world.
So I speak to you as writer to writer, teaching the techniques you need to craft a book that can compete in the marketplace. I know what agents and publishers are looking for, what they want — and don’t want.
Praise for my books:
THE DEADLY TRADE
- “Barbara Kyle masterfully weaves together mystery, suspense, and advocacy in a thought-provoking and heart-pounding thriller.” – C.S. O’Cinneide, author of Eve’s Rib
- “Readers will love Barbara Kyle’s spirited hero Natalie Sinclair and her brave band of animal rescuers.” – Robert Rotenberg, bestselling author of Downfall
- “The finely wrought plot kept me guessing until the end. A great read!” – New York Times bestselling author Patricia Crisafulli on The Deadly Trade
THE THORNLEIGH SAGA
- “Riveting Tudor drama” — USA Today
- “A classic historical novel – sweeping, gritty and realistic.” — Historical Novel Society
- “Wonderfully intelligent, highly readable, and thoroughly entertaining.” — New York Times best-selling author Heather Graham
- “Kyle is a master at her craft.” — RT Book Reviews
PAGE-TURNER: YOUR PATH TO WRITING A NOVEL THAT PUBLISHERS WANT AND READERS BUY
- “Kyle breaks down both the art and the craft of writing in a way that is entertaining and easy to understand.” — #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong
- “Brings alive almost every tough issue a writer of fiction must confront…friendly and fun to read.” — Albert Zuckerman, founder of Writers House literary agency
- “Page-Turner is the quintessential book for writing that breakout novel.” — Goodreads
I’m an acclaimed writing coach and a frequent presenter at international writers’ conferences. Through my master classes and online programs, I’ve launched many writers on the path to success:
- “Barbara’s wise words constantly guide my way.” — Bestselling mystery author Robert Rotenberg
- “I am forever grateful for Barbara’s wise, pragmatic, and gracious mentoring.” — Debut novelist Christine Higdon
- “Barbara, what a tremendously positive impact you had. Thank you!” — Award- winning historical novelist Bruce Gardner
- “Working with Barbara is like having a secret weapon in your writing arsenal.” — Award -winning author Nancy Raven Smith
Writing a novel is a fulfilling adventure. If you have a story to tell, I’ll help you tell it. Welcome to the journey!
What Udemy students say:
“Barbara Kyle is a wonderful teacher. She captivates you from the moment she starts her class.” – Jizelle R., Udemy Student
“Outstanding course content. Highly motivating and brilliantly presented.” – Irving S., Udemy Student
“To fulfill my dream of being published, this course gave me a deep inside view of how to better my writing.” – Myra W., Udemy Student
“Wonderful insights. Engaging and inspiring. This is an excellent course!” – Michele W., Udemy Student
“Excellent!.Everything an aspiring author needs in one place.” – Richard D., Udemy Student
“Kyle’s advice is clear and insightful, filled with tips and examples for all genres. Every author, established or aspiring, will benefit from this course.” – Cara F, Udemy Student