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Michigan State University

Write Your First Novel

David Wheeler

Instructor: David Wheeler

180,592 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.3

(340 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 127 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.3

(340 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 127 hours
Learn at your own pace
96%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • You will learn how to write and complete a full-length novel of 50,000 words. You will have a finished manuscript in hand at the end of the course.

Details to know

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Assessments

1 assignment

Taught in English

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There are 26 modules in this course

In Week One you will create a concept for your original novel, your own Intellectual Property (IP). You will write up a pitch document, post it and review the pitches of five of your peers. You will also create a Logline and a Dramatic Question for your novel, post those documents, review the work of five of your peers and revise your own work with the feedback you get from your peers

What's included

3 videos3 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

In Week Two you will create profiles for your major characters and write up an outline for the first chapter of your novel.

What's included

2 videos2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt

In Week Three you will begin writing your novel.

What's included

2 videos1 peer review

In Week Four you will write the second chapter of your novel.

What's included

2 videos2 peer reviews

In Week Five you will write the third chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week six you will write the fourth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Seven you will write the fifth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Eight you will write the sixth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Nine you will write the seventh chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Ten, you have the week off from writing. This week, you will get together with a few friends and read Act One, the first seven chapters of your novel,

What's included

1 video1 reading

In Week Eleven you will write the eighth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twelve you will write the ninth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Thirteen you will write the tenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Fourteen you will write the eleventh chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Fifteen you will write the twelfth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Sixteen you will write the thirteenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Seventeen you will write the fourteenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Eighteen, you have another week off from writing. This week, you will again get together with a few friends and read chapters Eight through Fourteen, Act Two of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 reading

In Week Nineteen you will begin the final Act of Your Novel

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty you will write the sixteenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty-One you will write the seventeenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty-Two you will write the eighteenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty-Three you will write the nineteenth chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty-Four you will write the final chapter of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 peer review

In Week Twenty-Five you will take another week off from writing and table read the final act of your novel.

What's included

1 video1 reading

In Week-Twenty Six you will submit your completed, polished novel. You will also write a prologue for your novel and a synopsis to submit to agents.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.6 (146 ratings)
David Wheeler
Michigan State University
8 Courses442,222 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 340

4.3

340 reviews

  • 5 stars

    67.35%

  • 4 stars

    14.11%

  • 3 stars

    6.17%

  • 2 stars

    3.52%

  • 1 star

    8.82%

SS
5

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2021

SK
5

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2021

RP
4

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2024

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