​Global Structure (aka Starting Your Book)

I strongly suggest taking this class first. It provides a great introduction to the two main types of global structure you can use to structure your book.

By the time, you finish this class, you should understand:

  • How to use chronology to tell your story.
  • How to use a premise to create structure.
  • The type of global structure that will work best for you.
  • The importance of a present-day timeline.
  • Where you should begin your book.
  • What always has to go in chapter one.
  • Whether you need an introduction to your book.

The course also includes an analysis of the memoirs Educated and In the Dreamhouse and explains how structure is created in each of these books.

This course includes about two hours' worth of video content. There are also two short reading assignments.

Click the button below to learn more.

Chapter Structure (aka Outline Your Book) 

I strongly suggest taking the class Starting Your Memoir   before taking this course. For more information, click here.

This class on chapter structure (also titled "Create a Full Outline of Your Book") is designed to help you figure out the plot for your entire book. I've found that understanding structure before you write your book will allow you to write your book in a fraction of the time and will keep you from having to throw out tons of your text later.

If you do the weekly assignments, you should have a full outline of your book written by the end of class. You should also have completed several scenes.

By the time you finish this course, you should understand:
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  • How a scene needs to be written to "put your reader there" with you.
  • Where a scene needs to begin (most people start too early).
  • How to fix common errors when writing dialogue.
  • The importance of "interpreting your characters."
  • How to create the three acts of your book.
  • How chapters function as your chronological building blocks.
  • How to work with flashbacks.
  • How to use a narrative want to create chapter structure.
  • The difference between scene writing and transition writing.

The course includes about four hours' worth of video content. There are also several short reading assignments.

This class will be released in mid-October.   Sign up on Wendy's mailing list to learn more.