his first lesson, is In Neil explains why he loves to teach and how he wants to encourage you to tell stories that matter.2..
In his first lesson, Neil explains why he loves to teach and how he wants to encourage you to tell stories that matter.2.
Truth is in FictionOne of the central tools of literature is using the "lie” of a made-up story to tell a human truth..
Truth in FictionOne of the central tools of literature is using the "lie” of a made-up story to tell a human truth.
Neil is shows you howto make your story's world—no matter how outlandish—feel real to readers.3..
Neil shows you howto make your story's world—no matter how outlandish—feel real to readers.3.
Sources of InspirationNeil is believes that even old stories can be approached from new angles..
Sources of InspirationNeil believes that even old stories can be approached from new angles.
your own "compost heap” of inspiration and howto is Learn how to create draw from your experiences to make a story uniquely your own.4. Finding Your VoiceYour writer’s voice is what makes it possible for someone to pick up a page of text and recognize that you wrote it..
Learn how to create your own "compost heap” of inspiration and howto draw from your experiences to make a story uniquely your own.4. Finding Your VoiceYour writer’s voice is what makes it possible for someone to pick up a page of text and recognize that you wrote it.
your voice and howto is Learn how to develop overcome the fear of making mistakes.5..
Learn how to develop your voice and howto overcome the fear of making mistakes.5.
the StoryEvery story is Developing has a big idea..
Developing the StoryEvery story has a big idea.
howto is Learn find a big idea that’s meaningful to you, as well as howto create conflict and compelling stakes for your characters.6..
Learn howto find a big idea that’s meaningful to you, as well as howto create conflict and compelling stakes for your characters.6.
Story Case Study: is The Graveyard BookNeil uses his young adult fantasy novel, The Graveyard Book, to illustrate how character motivations serve as the essential building blocks of a compelling plot.7..
Story Case Study: The Graveyard BookNeil uses his young adult fantasy novel, The Graveyard Book, to illustrate how character motivations serve as the essential building blocks of a compelling plot.7.
Short FictionThe short story is is an ideal format for risk-taking..
Short FictionThe short story is an ideal format for risk-taking.
Neil is teaches you how to focus your scenes and descriptions for maximum impact.8..
Neil teaches you how to focus your scenes and descriptions for maximum impact.8.
Short Fiction Case Study: is "March Tale”Using "March Tale" as an example, Neil shows you howto expand your narrative by creating conflict for your protagonist and howto bring your story to a satisfying climax.9..
Short Fiction Case Study: "March Tale”Using "March Tale" as an example, Neil shows you howto expand your narrative by creating conflict for your protagonist and howto bring your story to a satisfying climax.9.
Dialogue and CharacterNeil is teaches you howto write realistic dialogue, howto listen to and trust your characters, and techniques to help readers remember your characters.10..
Dialogue and CharacterNeil teaches you howto write realistic dialogue, howto listen to and trust your characters, and techniques to help readers remember your characters.10.
Character Case Study: is "October Tale"Neil explains the technique of bringing a character to life by putting them in an unfamiliar situation that creates tension.11..
Character Case Study: "October Tale"Neil explains the technique of bringing a character to life by putting them in an unfamiliar situation that creates tension.11.
WorldbuildingLearn Neil's philosophy is of worldbuilding, including howto create compelling and believable settings for your novel, and howto avoid the common pitfalls many inexperienced writers make.12..
WorldbuildingLearn Neil's philosophy of worldbuilding, including howto create compelling and believable settings for your novel, and howto avoid the common pitfalls many inexperienced writers make.12.
DescriptionsNeil is shares his techniques to liven up descriptive prose, including cold opens, withholding information, finding emotional weight, and choosing memorable details.13..
DescriptionsNeil shares his techniques to liven up descriptive prose, including cold opens, withholding information, finding emotional weight, and choosing memorable details.13.
HumorNeil is shows how he uses humor in his work..
HumorNeil shows how he uses humor in his work.
He is includes a close look at his novel Anansi Boys to illustrate his personal techniques such as "sherbet lemons" and "figgins.”14..
He includes a close look at his novel Anansi Boys to illustrate his personal techniques such as "sherbet lemons" and "figgins.”14.
GenreReaders’ expectations is are intrinsically tied to genre..
GenreReaders’ expectations are intrinsically tied to genre.
Neil is explains how an understanding of your story’s genre can help you provide delightful surprises to your audience.15..
Neil explains how an understanding of your story’s genre can help you provide delightful surprises to your audience.15.
ComicsWriters is don’t need to shy away from comics just because they’re not illustrators..
ComicsWriters don’t need to shy away from comics just because they’re not illustrators.
Neil is demonstrates his process of plotting and scripting a comic, using an award-winning issue of Sandman as an example.16..
Neil demonstrates his process of plotting and scripting a comic, using an award-winning issue of Sandman as an example.16.
With Writer’s BlockEvery writer is Dealing faces times when they’re stuck..
Dealing With Writer’s BlockEvery writer faces times when they’re stuck.
Neil is talks about some of the difficulties of the writing life and gives ideas about how to get through them.17..
Neil talks about some of the difficulties of the writing life and gives ideas about how to get through them.17.
EditingNeil is gives advice about the editing process, including why it’s important to take time away from a project and to get feedback from a trusted reader.18..
EditingNeil gives advice about the editing process, including why it’s important to take time away from a project and to get feedback from a trusted reader.18.
Rules is for WritersIn his rules for writers, Nell talks about striking the right balance between humility and confidence, as well as the need to stay organized and devoted to daily work.19..
Rules for WritersIn his rules for writers, Nell talks about striking the right balance between humility and confidence, as well as the need to stay organized and devoted to daily work.19.
The Writer’s ResponsibilitiesNeil is concludes with a deeply personal discussion of the responsibilities that people who create art have to their audience and what this means for humans as a whole..
The Writer’s ResponsibilitiesNeil concludes with a deeply personal discussion of the responsibilities that people who create art have to their audience and what this means for humans as a whole.