Workshop
Write a Compelling FIrst Chapter
$15
Learn to write a first chapter that instantly draws the reader into the story, connects him with the characters, and has him asking story questions that keep him reading.
Barbara Vance
Instructor
12
lessons
1h 21m
video runtime
1
download
Course Description
The first chapter is your initial impression. You need to engage your reader quickly so that he stays for the rest of the story. In this workshop, you will learn the elements that comprise a great first chapter and how to design one in light of the story you want to tell and the journey you want your character to go on.
This workshop addresses:
- Introducing characters
- Establishing the story world
- Generating initial conflict that is both immediate and pertains to the larger story
- Creating intrigue so the reader immediately has questions
- Starting and ending a first chapter
- Point of view and authorial voice
This course includes
- An extensive class outline to follow along with the video lessons
- A worksheet that helps you plan your scenes and plot them beat by beat
- Numerous excerpts from literature to follow along with the lessons and learn from
Students have course access for 365 days. All worksheets and notes are downloadable.
What's Inside
This workshop includes class notes so you can follow along with the video lectures and worksheets to help you design your first chapter. It also includes many literary examples to inspire you.
Course Content
What People Are Saying - FirstChapter
“Really well set out and organized. I have been struggling to find instructional videos that are for a TRUE beginner and that are laid out from novel start to novel finish. I also love the examples given in the videos that help me to relate the lessons to “real life” published works.”
Patricia
Student
“Really loved this course and it answered so many questions. Sometimes when beginning to write, it is easy to feel side-tracked by the abundance of ideas in one’s head. This course helped sort through them and showed how these ideas can reveal themselves throughout a narrative.”
Winola
Student
“A fantastic course that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in writing (even short stories and flash fiction since you’re making the same considerations but condensing the format). Love the examples and the best practices are very clear and easy to understand.”
Matthew
Student
“For me these courses are giving me a guideline of how I can make my novel more interesting, whereas before, I had no idea. I plan to view these courses again and again as I edit my novel. I very much appreciate the time and effort put into these courses. They have helped me a lot!”
Carney
Student
“An amazing class. I really appreciated the accompanying worksheet. Your classes are always tremendously helpful.”
Alexandros
Student
“I found this very helpful and very engaging. It has helped me a lot as a beginner. Thank you.”
Allen
Student
“I really loved the class!”
Priscilla
Student
“A very engaging class; exactly what I needed.”
Justin
Student
“Barbara Vance is one of my favorite teachers.”
Kris
Student
“Best creative writing teacher!”
Sam
Student
“I enjoyed the class and engaging teaching style.”
Bill
Student
“Thank you so much! I’m so pleased.”
Maiselle
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.
No Risk 7-day, Money-back Guarantee
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.
