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Novel 1

Online Apr 6, Apr 13, Apr 27, May 4, May 18 (5 Sunday Mornings)10:30am - 1:30pm Pacific$425Limited Spots

10 Spots Left

Is it your dream to write the great American novel? In this 5 week Online intro novel writing class, successful novelist Gretchen McNeil will teach you the fundamentals of long form fiction! She’ll also teach you techniques for creating a thrilling story arc, irresistible dialogue, characters and conflict. If you like, you can even bring in up to 1000 words of your novel for targeted feedback every session!

With the aid of fun, hands-on exercises and balanced workshopping sessions, you’ll have completed a chapter outline of your book, and will have written some scenes to boot. Before you know it, Random House will be banging on your door! Topics include: character, description, plot, POV, dialogue, revision, setting, voice, theme and query.

Before you know it, you will be ready to join the ranks of the 37 students who have published books after after taking class with us.

If you’ve never taken a novel class before, we suggest you take Novel 101 in addition to this class.

More sections are available:

Gretchen McNeil

13 novels sold, Get Even (Netflix), 2 movie adaptations

Gretchen McNeil has sold 13 novels including DIG TWO GRAVES (April 2022), THREE DROPS OF BLOOD (2023), both for Disney-Hyperion. She’s also the author of the novel series #MURDERTRENDING (2018), #MURDERFUNDING (2019), #NOESCAPE (2020) all for Disney/Freeform. Gretchen’s novels GET EVEN and GET DIRTY have been adapted as the series Get Even for BBC and Netflix. Season 1 of Get Even premiered in 2020 and season 2 will stream on Netflix in fall 2022. Ten: Murder Island, the film adaptation of Gretchen’s novel TEN starring China Anne McClain (Descendants 2, Black Lightning) premiered on Lifetime in 2017. #MURDERTRENDING was selected for the Barnes & Noble Best Books of 2018 list, the International Literacy Association’s 2019 Young Adults’ Choices Reading list, YALSA’s 2019 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers list, and it was voted the #1 choice on YALSA’s 2019 Teens’ Top Ten list. #MURDERFUNDING was also a YALSA 2020 Teen’s Top pick and #NOESCAPE was a YALSA 2021 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers. Gretchen is also the author of POSSESS, 3:59, RELIC, GET EVEN, GET DIRTY, and TEN (a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth), and I’M NOT YOUR MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL all with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins. She has a BA from UCLA and a Masters Degree from the University of Maryland College Park. MORE

“I loved her extremely insightful and helpful notes on my writing submission homework. Her enthusiasm was energizing and her kind and gentle manner was contagious since all the students were equally respectful in giving notes. Best and most helpful writing workshop.”
“She's great at making you feel like you're on the right track while subtly correcting you when you're not. She's also great at giving specific ways to improve upon your piece.”
“Class with Gretchen is such a lark. She is so good at helping a writer see how to tease out the sparks of a story, and how best to make a plot compelling.”
“Gretchen is the best writing teacher I’ve had yet! She gives phenomenal feedback that has helped me develop and improve both the novel and story I have been working on! I am so grateful for her humor and expertise and patience!”
“Gretchen gave an amazing comprehensive, clear, riveting explanation of novel writing. I feel like I got an entire 4-year degree in these weeks and more. Fabulous, inspiring teacher. Gretchen's encouragement and her attention and ability to focus on every aspect of each student's writing was impressive and her comments were always on target and so extremely helpful. Love her sense of humor, too. This is the first time ever that I thought I could write fiction, but before, I didn't think I could despite taking many other writing and fiction workshops and classes. Gretchen is a gem.”
“Gretchen is great at pointing out what is already working in the scene and exactly what is strong about your individual writing. Her suggestions for improvements never feel like criticisms, but room for improvement that will unlock the story further.”
“Gretchen provided support and encouragement and made excellent suggestions when needed for strengthening the work. Gretchen always makes you feel like you want to keep writing. She creates a positive, safe, uplifting and enjoyable class atmosphere - one in which you're always learning. The class dynamics are wonderful.”

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