Write Fiction They Can't Put Down

Online Creative Writing Course: Essentials of Fiction

Have you ever felt addicted to a book, so that you didn't want to stop reading? Would you like to make your own fiction that addictive?

This 8-week course will put the tools in your hands. Discover how to:

write stories that hook your readers and keep them turning pages.

give your readers strong reasons to care about your character and your story.

use a wide range of techniques to build curiosity, tension, suspense, and excitement.

Since the course is taught by e-mail, you can learn from anywhere, studying when you have time in your schedule.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Week 1: Conflict
Learn how to use conflict and mini-conflicts to hold the reader's interest on every page of your story.
Week 2: Protagonists
If you can make readers root for your main character, it's easy to get them hooked on your story. Find out how to create a sympathetic protagonist that readers will love, and how to add excitement with a powerful antagonist.
Week 3: Stakes
Learn how to raise your story stakes and build tension as the story progresses.
Week 4: Suspense
Increase suspense in your story by keeping the reader off-balance. Learn how to use techniques such as foreshadowing, twists and surprises, plants and reveals, and atmospheric settings.
Week 5: Pacing
Control over pacing is key to making your fiction exciting. Learn how and when to speed your story up or slow it down.
Week 6: Beginnings
The beginning of your story is when readers decide whether to keep reading or to put your story down. Write beginnings that hook readers right away and make them hungry for more.
Week 7: Questions
Build suspense and anticipation by planting questions in the reader's mind. Learn how to use cliffhangers to make your manuscript even more addictive.
Week 8: Scenes
Discover strategies that will help you get the most out of exciting scenes, while weaving background information and description seamlessly into your story.

Your teacher

Irresistible Fiction is taught by Nancy Strauss, the Online Courses Director at Creative Writing Now. Nancy has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan, where she has also taught creative and expository writing.

What you get in the course

Irresistible Fiction includes:

eight e-mail lessons (one lesson a week for eight weeks. The first lesson will normally be sent to you within an hour after you confirm your course registration.)

weekly exercises included in the lessons

the chance to e-mail any questions about the lessons to a writing teacher.*

the chance to publish your writing on the class blog.

*Note: Please note that feedback on your writing assignments is not included in this course, which has been designed for self-study. While teachers will be available to answer general questions, they will not be able to read or comment on your fiction.

We guarantee the value of this course. If you change your mind any time during the first 20 days, you can ask for a refund.

Feedback on our Courses

"One of my stories, "Bubble", has been published. If I hadn't taken your course I couldn't even imagine that. Many, many thanks for inspiring me."
     - Rasheed

"I have to say that this course has been really inspiring and it's given my writing a new lease on life."
     - Robin Gott

"I saw that my writing had improved 100%."
     - Jill Gairdner

"The writing exercises are intriguing and practically beg you to get started. The lessons themselves are concise and straight-forward, easy to understand and to apply to your own writing.”
     - Sally Derby

"Wow! I loved this first lesson. I loved every minute of writing writing writing. I really look forward to my 2nd lesson."
     - Sarah

"Loving the course."
     - Wendy

"A great, fun, practical way to get the creative juices flowing and call forth the writer's muse."
     - Man Martin

"I find Lesson 4 very interesting, so much so that all the distractions facing me at the moment of writing were not able to actually distract me."
     - Linda

"Innovative and stimulating."
     - Charles Hartik

"Thanks for this lesson. I used it for one of the characters in my newest WIP and I got a very interesting scene out of it!"
     - Carolyn

"Thanks for this awesome learning opportunity."
     - Claire

"It's absolutely perfect! I want more!"
     - Amanda

Sign up now

Irresistible Fiction - Includes 8 e-mail lessons, weekly assignments, the chance to publish on the course blog, and the chance to ask a teacher general questions. Feedback on assignments is currently not available for this course.
Total price - $26.95

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to questions you may have about the course:

Q: How/when will I get my lessons?

A: Your answers will be sent to you by e-mail, once a week for eight weeks. Here's how it works: when you purchase the course, you will be asked for an e-mail address. After your purchase is complete, you will normally receive the first lesson within one hour.

Q: How much time will I need to complete the assignments?

A: The lessons are specially designed so that you can read and absorb them quickly. And the writing assignments can also be completed fast. But as with most things, what you get out of this course depends on what you put into it. So we suggest making time to revise your weekly assignments and do some additional writing. Ideally, try to schedule a regular time for your writing at least five days a week -- even if it is only ten minutes per day.

Q: Will I have to buy any books or additional materials?

A: There are no additional materials required for the course. The online format will also save you money versus an offline course, where you would have logistical expenses such as transportation, parking, childcare, and so on.

Q: Is the course just for fiction writing, or will it help me write essays, articles, poetry, etc.?

A: The course is focused on fiction writing (short stories or novels). If you are mainly interested in writing essays, articles, poetry, or another genre, this course may not be right for you.

Q: What if I don't understand something in one of the lessons?

A: No worries. You can e-mail us, and a teacher will answer your questions about the course.

Q: How do I get feedback on my writing assignments?

A: We currently do not offer a teacher feedback option for this course. However, you will have the chance to publish your fiction on the course blog, where other students might leave comments.

Q: How soon do I have to decide?

A: If you're really interested in taking this course, it is safer to sign up now while it's still open.

Q: What if I change my mind after I purchase the course?

A: No problem! If you change your mind, just ask us for a refund. You can send us an e-mail any time during the first 20 days (or before a teacher starts preparing feedback on your assignment if you've purchased the Feedback Pack), and just tell us you've changed your mind, then we'll refund 100% of your payment. No hassle; no hard feelings. So you actually have nothing to lose by signing up for the course now.

Q: What if my question was not answered here?

A: Please just send us an e-mail, and we'll be delighted to answer all your questions.

P.S. Still not sure? Give it a test run. Sign up for the basic version (without the Feedback Pack) and see what you think. You have 20 days to decide if it's for you or ask for a refund.

Questions? Please contact us