Whether you prefer a story that is taut with tension and adventure, or one that unspools through intriguing characters having fascinating conversations, the bread and butter of all good books is a plot that keeps you gripped. As an aspiring writer, how can you ensure your novel is always moving in the right direction, and in a way that remains true to your unique narrative voice?

In this virtual masterclass with renowned novelist Shelley Weiner, you will discover how to organise the plot of your novel effectively, no matter the genre or ambition of your story. Under Shelley’s expert guidance, you will learn how to move from one scene to another, how to interleave character development with action, and how to utilise pace and anticipation to keep things motoring forward.

Suitable for writers at any stage in their creative process, this class will ultimately give you the confidence to empower your story with a consistent and convincing plot that leaves your future readers desperate to turn the pages.

Course Content

Plot and narrative structure – understanding universal stories and locating the shape of your own
Character and motivation as the driving force in your story: the engine of causality
Creating compelling scenes
Sustaining momentum and suspense: finding conflict through obstacles and the pressure of time.
Planning tools demystified

You will be sent a link to the webinar 2hrs before the start time of 2pm (BST).

Tutor Profile

Shelley Weiner is the author of five novels, and a renowned creative writing tutor/mentor with a passion for nurturing and guiding writers at all levels. Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies in print and online, and have been produced for BBC Radio 4. Shelley has taught and run masterclasses for, among others, the Guardian, Faber Academy, The Literary Consultancy, Gold Dust Mentoring Scheme, The Art of Writing (Florence), and Skyros Writers’ Lab. She has lectured on the Creative Writing MA at Anglia Ruskin University, as well as for Birkbeck College, the Open University, the Taliesin Trust, the British Council in Israel, and Durham University.

Course Details

Date: Saturday 21 August 2021
Time: 2pm-4.30pm (BST)

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

You will be sent a link to the webinar two hrs before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have not received the access link within one hour of the scheduled start time.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible but please contact us at masterclasses@theguardian.com if you have any queries or concerns.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

A masterclass in crafting a compelling plot with Shelley Weiner