Plot Essentials Main Landing

Workshop

Plot Essentials

$19

Discover the foundations of plot development and set the groundwork for how to structure a dramatic narrative.

Barbara Vance

Barbara Vance

Instructor

18

lessons

2h

video runtime

2

download

Course Description

Plot Essentials demystifies the storytelling process by outlining the essential components that make a well-structured story and showing how they work together.

A story isn’t just a series of events, it is a carefully orchestrated experience in which plot events and character development are strategically connected so that the reader feels a range of emotions as she engages with it.

You need to arrange your plot events so that they continually create and resolve dramatic tension at varying levels from the smallest beat, all the way up to the overarching story conflict.

In this workshop, we examine the types of plots that exist so that you can choose the story structure that is right for you. We will examine writing with purpose and avoiding unnecessary scenes, how to structure plots with tension, and so much more!

This workshop addresses how to:

This course includes

Students have course access for 365 days. All worksheets and notes are downloadable.

What People Are Saying

5/5

“Barbara’s classes are super, sometimes I feel, the only creative writing classes that you need. We work through the nitty gritties of fiction writing in depth and I take my time and work with the elements of the novel we are talking about, pausing and coming back to it. That is something one can’t do even in a live class. And doing more than one class of hers is also really really helpful. Also the resources are excellent”

Neharika

Neharika

Student

5/5

“This is the third of Barbra’s classes I’ve binged in recent weeks. She always quickly gets into detail, and the good stuff just keeps coming. Not only do her courses kickstart my creativity and impact the quality of my writing, but I’m already reading in a much more critical style as well. Brilliant. As she recommends herself in the course, taking her 2 classes on ‘Writing Vivid Character Descriptions’ and ‘Dramatizing Inner Conflict’, really does help you deeply understand what she’s on about around the mid-point of the course with character-driven plots. If you feel you’ve got a good grasp of characters already, jump in. There’s nothing “difficult” about the content per se, but that background context is so useful. “

Rik

Rik

Student

5/5

“I was totally blown away. It’s not just about the principles, the exercises were really helpful. I’ve been watching movies and dissecting stories on my own now with the tools I learned from this course. I’m learning so much more this way.”

Selorm

Selorm

Student

5/5

“Amazing class! Super engaging, had me taking notes and hanging on every word, and got my creative juices flowing! So grateful for this class, I’ve already bookmarked several of Ms. Vance’s other lessons to begin now that this one’s finished. Thanks again!!!”

Mari

Mari

Student

5/5

“This course was truly amazing! For anyone who has a loose outline of what your story looks like but wonders about how to lead to those big moments, this is a must-watch. An incredible resource in one’s writing journey. Thank you, Barbara!”

Winola

Winola

Student

5/5

“Barbara is one of the more knowledgeable teachers I have found. Many of her examples come from great works of literature rather than pop-culture, which appeals to me. She incorporates some visuals in the course to show plot and character advancement. Her course is longer than others so I listen to a couple of chapters at a time.”

Susan

Susan

Student

5/5

“You have become my favourite teacher! Your explanations and examples are always well informed and your breakdown of course material is extremely engaging and well thought out and organized. (Unlike that run on sentence lol) Thank you for helping me become a better writer!”

Tim

Tim

Student

5/5

“I said it all before and I can’t say it enough. Barbara is a brilliant and very engaging teacher. Her content is amazing, and I have learned so much. Her latest course is great for building a foundation of knowledge regarding the basics like structure and plot development. English is not my first language, but I never struggle understanding anything. I have taken all of Barbara’s classes and I can’t wait until she releases her next one. #BarabaraVancefanrighthere”

Marlen

Marlen

Student

5/5

“Really good class. It was very helpful for me and easy to understand, although I am a total beginner in writing. I think Barbara provides a great mixture of theory and practical tips, to get a better understanding of storytelling. Also, I feel very motivated to reread all my favourite books from this new point of view. Thanks for that!”

Theresa

Theresa

Student

5/5

“Another excellent class by Barbara, far more insightful than any other teacher I’ve seen so far. In-depth look at plotting, and the theory behind it, which I found immensely helpful to write my own novel. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!”

Sharon

Sharon

Student

5/5

“This class goes deep into the different parts of plotting and, crucially, highlights the best ways to make your novel dramatic and keep the reader reading. I really enjoyed it and learned a great deal. I especially loved the outtakes at the end! Thank you for another great class, Barbara. You are very inspiring.”

Laura

Laura

Student

5/5

“Incredibly helpful! Once of the absolute best teachers I have ever had in my life! I’m almost finished taking every one of her courses and they are all fantastic.”

Faith

Faith

Student

5/5

“The information in this class is concrete, well-articulated and specific. Watch it. You would find it more useful than much of what is taught about writing.”

Joy

Joy

Student

5/5

“I’m currently in the process of outlining and plotting my novel and this was SO helpful! I especially appreciate the section where different plotting/outlining methods and tips are explained. Thank you so much!”

Allie

Allie

Student

5/5

“Really enjoyed this class! Packed with knowledge. I’d recommend it for anyone, although I’d say it would definitely more beneficial to someone with some writing/analytical reading experience already under their belt.”

Rick

Rick

Student

5/5

“Barbara is awesome (and cute). Clear explanations, examples.  99% perfect course, thanks!!!”

Balázs

Balázs

Student

5/5

“This is not a course for beginners nor immediate writers due to the complexity of the material. I have watched many other teachers attempt to provide lessons in Plot and story structure and to be quite honest, most are geared to presenting a general knowledge of the subject. This includes those who are published novelists. Hence, there is an intuitive nature to structuring plots and analyzing story structures that many cannot teach what is intuitive for them. And as Ms. Vance rightly points out, writers must work out their own approach to plot and story. Or to put it in a manner that easily illustrates that point, Steven King is no more capable of writing “War And Peace” as Tolstoy is or writing “Christine”. This course is for the novelist who wishes to attempt something more than popular fiction.”

William

William

Student

5/5

“It was the first class I watched from Barbara and I loved it!”

Michel

Michel

Student

5/5

“I love your classes. You are such a brilliant teacher!!”

Kinga

Kinga

Student

5/5

“Another amazing class. Making my way through them all.”

Zachary

Zachary

Student

5/5

“Barbara is an amazing teacher.”

The Greenwoods

The Greenwoods

Student

5/5

“It was a very helpful course. Practical advice that can be applied from a teacher who is skilled.”

Atul

Atul

Student

5/5

“This was a great course. Clear, useful, inspiring. Well done.”

Scott

Scott

Student

5/5

“Thanks for a great lecture! I’ll have fun devouring the rest of them.”

Thomas

Thomas

Student

5/5

“Amazing class, can’t wait to watch the others!”

Lena

Lena

Student

5/5

“Thanks! I learned a lot from this class!”

Lucila

Lucila

Student

5/5

“My first course from Barbara; I’m glad I signed up.”

Peter

Peter

Student

5/5

“Enjoyed the course.”

Carney

Carney

Student

5/5

“The teacher give good examples on how create a good plot for a novel.”

Kris

Kris

Student

Barbara Vance, PhD

I am a writer and instructor who has been blessed to help thousands of writers bring their stories to life.

My degrees include a B.A. in literature, an MA in Literature and Creative Writing, and a PhD in storytelling and media. Prior to launching my own company, I taught writing and storytelling at a tier-one university.

Over the past sixteen years I have developed a widely acclaimed collection of courses designed to help writers develop their stories, stay on track, and finish what they start . . . even while juggling busy careers and a family.

I am also the author of a multi-award-winning poetry collection, and my poems are licensed for use in anthologies and curricula around the world.

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If you take the course and don’t feel like it helped, simply reach out to us, show us you have made an effort, and we will refund your full investment.

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