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Whether you're writing an elaborate thriller or a deceptively minimalist drama, a carefully constructed plot is at the heart of every successful story. The flow of your narrative is the force that brings the emotional journey of your characters and your audience together. This eye-opening one-day course will introduce you not just to new ideas for plots, but to entirely new ways of thinking about storytelling. You'll learn how to approach your narrative from new angles, and to interpret and manifest the motives and actions of your characters with renewed ingenuity.
Critically-acclaimed novelist Jacqueline Yallop presents a storytelling masterclass which will show you how to interweave plots and subplots to create an immersive and rewarding reality for your readers. Through a structured programme of talks and exercises, you'll discover new ways to advance the themes of your novel and highlight unseen facets of your characters. You'll also gain a better understanding of pacing and learn how to reveal just enough at exactly the right time, in order to build suspense and create satisfying conclusions.
This course is for you if...
- You want to inject more excitement and drama into your writing
- You've completed a first draft of a novel which you feel lacks pace or drama
- You have a fully realised premise for a novel, but feel your story needs more substance
- You want to keep your readers on their toes
- You've started writing a novel, but are unsure how to progress
Course description
This one-day course blends classroom tuition with group discussions and a variety of exercises to explore ways of devising and dovetailing plots and subplots. There is ample scope for questions and feedback from the tutor. Topics covered on the day include:
- How genre influences plot
- Plot and structure
- The beginning, the middle and the end
- The string, the mirror and the seesaw: different approaches to the same story
- The power of cause and effect
- Agency and motive: how desire shapes action
- Keeping plot and character in harmony
- How to move forward with your plot
Tutor profile
Jacqueline Yallop is the author of three critically-acclaimed novels – Kissing Alice, Obedience and Marlford. Jacqueline also lectures in fiction at the University of Aberystwyth, and frequently speaks at literary festivals and creative writing schools.
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Details
Date: Saturday 28 February 2015
Times: 10am-4pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before the start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please dress however you feel comfortable.
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
