What’s the single biggest difference between professional authors and novices? Professionals know how to structure novels and stories for maximum dramatic effect. This course helps you develop the same story structuring skills the pros use. You'll understand how your passion, theme, premise, and characters help you create the structure of your story, and you'll discover how viewpoint, dialogue, pacing, and many other techniques are used to build scenes and move your story from beginning to end.

Each assignment in this course helps you develop your own original novel or story. As you apply each technique, your story will take shape, with a clear path from beginning to end. And whenever you have questions or insights to share, you can join your instructor and classmates in the Discussion Area for some interactive brainstorming! Before you know it, you’ll be prepared to ...write fiction like a pro.

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Recommended Courses:

Students who enrolled in Write Fiction Like a Pro were also interested in the following courses:

Advanced Fiction Writing

Mystery Writing

Publish It Yourself: How to Start and Operate Your Own Publishing Business

Research Methods for Writers

Romance Writing Secrets

Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers

Syllabus:

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week One

Wednesday - Lesson 01

The name of this course really says it all! For the next six weeks, we'll focus on techniques that professional authors use to write effectively and efficiently and that guarantee a story structure that delivers maximum emotional impact. After all, connecting with your audience is what great writing is all about, right? In this first lesson, we'll explore the idea of story structure, and you'll discover that nearly every piece of fiction that works follows the same fundamental rules. We'll also look at the often misunderstood difference between story and plot, a concept that will be vital throughout the rest of this course.

Friday - Lesson 02

At the heart of every story are the dramatic elements of passion, theme, character, and premise. Your passion is what drives you to tell your story, and the theme is the underlying message it carries. To convey your theme, you'll create characters who represent that theme—either positively or negatively. Put all of these together and you've got your premise. We'll talk about all of these elements in today's lesson.

Week Two

Wednesday - Lesson 03

Character is what story is all about. Without a character, and a change in that character, there can be no story. In this lesson, you'll discover why the best characters are flawed. We'll explore your main character—the protagonist—and the opposition forces of the antagonist. And finally, we'll take a look at the other characters who round out your story.

Friday - Lesson 04

Today's is the first of three lessons in which you'll see how to construct a story outline, act by act. In Act 1, you'll learn how to hook your readers. Then you'll fill them in with some character history called backstory. And finally, you'll exit Act 1 with a bang by triggering a traumatic event in the life of your protagonist.

Week Three

Wednesday - Lesson 05

If Act 1 ends with a bang, Act 2 starts with a whimper. Your protagonist begins in crisis, an emotional state brought on by his or her flaw. And because of that flaw, your protagonist will struggle throughout Act 2, as the antagonist deals with setback after setback. Fortunately, at the conclusion of Act 2 your protagonist finally figures out the source of all this emotional distress and how to overcome it.

Friday - Lesson 06

The epiphany that ended Act 2 has prepared your protagonist for triumph in Act 3. Now it's time to devise a plan. The result will be a final confrontation with the antagonist. In this lesson, we'll discuss the best way to arrange the defeat of your antagonist—it's not what you might guess. Then, with that climax behind you, you're ready to tie up loose ends in the ending.

Week Four

Wednesday - Lesson 07

We've accomplished a lot in the last few lessons. By now you should be pretty comfortable with story structure. In the next three lessons, we'll take the concepts you've learned so far and apply them to the development of a real novel. Today we'll begin by using the dramatic elements to create a character, his or her flaw, and then put it all together into a formal story idea.

Friday - Lesson 08

In this lesson, we'll expand the story idea for a novel into the nine checkpoints of our three-act outline. This is quite a challenge for just one lesson, but we've become pretty expert at this story structuring stuff by now, so let's go!

Week Five

Wednesday - Lesson 09

Now that you have your outline—and a beautiful one it is!—it's time for that magical moment when you begin expanding it into the long form. Yikes! The actual novel is about to materialize. We'll begin by inserting markers for the scenes that support and develop the outline. Then you'll start expanding those scenes and threading your theme throughout. This is really writing like a pro!

Friday - Lesson 10

One of the most important choices an author makes is viewpoint. It affects every aspect of the story—from theme, to pacing, to suspense. In this lesson, we'll explore the three most common viewpoints—omniscient, third-person limited, and first person—and discover their advantages and disadvantages. Then we'll dig into techniques for developing characters and establishing a convincing story logic.

Week Six

Wednesday - Lesson 11

In this lesson, we'll look at techniques for refining your plot and controlling its pace. Then we'll unravel the internal structure of every piece of fiction you've ever read, discovering a structure that I bet you never knew existed. After today, you'll never forget it. It's called scene and sequel.

Friday - Lesson 12

Now that your novel, play, or screenplay is well underway, it's time to think about polishing the final product. In this lesson, we'll look at some techniques for making your writing sparkle, including tips on dialogue and imagery and how to use them to show, not tell. We'll also see how to establish your own unique voice, paying special attention to the aspects of cadence and musicality. Finally, we'll talk a little about the creative process and your role now that you know how to . . . write like a pro.

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Steve Alcorn.

Steve Alcorn is the published author of a wide range of fiction and nonfiction works, including the mystery "A Matter of Justice," the historical novel "Everything in Its Path," the romance "Ring of Diamonds" (under the pseudonym Sharon Stevens), and an illustrated journal of his travels around the world called "Travel Kid." When he isn't writing and teaching, Steve serves as the president of Alcorn McBride Inc., a company that engineers equipment for all of your favorite theme park rides.

Requirements:

Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Student Reviews:

"Absolutely wonderful - that is what I have to say about this class. This is the 4th online writing class I've taken in the past 6 months and this is by far the best and has provided me with a very valuable tool. Your approach is personable, clear and concise. It is also exciting and rewarding. You have provided the framework that will help me achieve my writing goals. I appreciated your honest and constructive feedback and will take your suggestions to heart. Thank you, Steve, for sharing your knowledge. Your passion and enthusiasm for writing is contagious."

"A professor once told me I thought in cliches. Ahhhh, a hackneyed writer. I would never be one of those magical writers who reach in to thin air and produce something so new and wonderous - something that no one's ever seen before. That comment has haunted me ever since. It has made me doubt if I should continue to write. Still, I struggled on, writing in circles, and rewriting myself in to corners with dangling endings, and 1/2 dimensional characters. The difference in Steve's approach is that he tells us beginning writers often make this mistake, and then continues on to tell us how to correct it. What a difference! Steve's approach lets us know that it's all right, and shows us how to solve that problem. Having someone get published during the course was very exciting, and your encouraging words, Steve, kept me going. Story outlining alone is a priceless tool. Put that together with scene and sequel and your long form becomes an organic property that can grow and change as you work through your story logic. And all the other things like style, cadence, musicality, etc. can only improve with practice. Everything was explained clearly and was easy to grasp. I plan to take your mystery writing class too, Steve. You are a very gifted instructor."

"As for what I have learned during this class - it's priceless! On beginning this course, all I really had in mind was a basic idea; one paragraph at most. Now, I feel that through understanding the logical sequence of structure, characters, and the rest of the many pieces of this writing puzzle, I have developed a true story idea that I can complete. Steve, thank you immensely for your guidance; your simple and logical steps have helped me on my way to where I was trying to go!"

"As for what I have learned in the class...everything in the class was new to me and presented in such a clear and simple fashion. So my list of learnings is long. My key takeaway is the applicability of the structure we have learned in my daily life. As I we have learned the elements, I have repeatedly seen that they are the backbone of everyday experiences. Looking at life with this structure in mind has given me a new perspective. As well, I am starting to apply the structure to my conversation and work and it has really helped me to articulate my ideas beter."

"As I am a complete 'writing novice' this course has been invaluable, I have learnt far more than I ever thought possible in the duration of the course. I found the instructor to be very helpful and have a genuine interest in my progress. An excellent instructive and absorbing six weeks."

"A very excellent, useful and fascinating course with an excellent instructor. I had no idea how to write fiction before I started and didn't know it. I learned the point of a fiction piece and how to construct one, and why to do it that way. Very logical, easy to understand, and the two sides of the course (the lessons themselves plus the instructor's comments and critiques in the discussion area) were needed to fully understand and put everything to good use. Very well done."

"Before I began this class, I had a burning desire to write, but was paralyzed by the fear that I just did not have what it took to be a good writer. I thought writers started at page one of their novel and just kept writing until they thought they were finished. Your class taught me structure and made me realize that writers do write, and write often, and that they plan what they will write. What an amazing revelation! As one who values structure and discipline, I feel truly blessed to have been led to your class. I have learned invaluable lessons that I will practice and perfect throughout the rest of my life.Your course has given me hope - hope that I can and will fulfill my lifelong dream of being a writer. For this I am truly grateful. I look forward to having you as a teacher in the future."

"Can you see me? I'm giving you a standing ovation! Haven't done this much thinking, rethinking, breaking pencils, and eventually cheering since I graduated from college. Thank you for an inspiring and brilliant class!"

"Completing this course gave me a great sense of achievement. I liked the fact that we were taken through a process that resulted in our producing a complete story outline that was that was helpfully critiqued by the tutor. I read all the comments on the postings and they were always constructive. I am sure that most of the participants will go on to finish their books too. Our instructor, Steve, was excellent. It is so easy with a careless word or comment to put someone off, but he was supportive at all times. Although I have attended many writing courses, very few have helped set up the scaffolding that is needed to build a good story. This course does. In addition to completing one full outline in the course of the assignments, I got so inspired by the technique that Steve taught us that I sat down one afternoon and wrote another complete set of scenes for another book that I want to write. I would say, commit the time and do it! Many thanks to Steve and the other writers who participated in this course."

"Excellent course and instructor. Extremely useful for my writing. Motivated me to keep going. Steve Alcorn not only provided clear direction and feedback to each and every assignment posted on the Discussion Area, but did so soon after it was initially posted. The Discussion Area was lively, many of the students participating, and I've no doubt that is attributable to Steve's lead. The "online" chat provided better feedback than local writing workshops I've attended. Fun and educational. Thanks!"

"Fabulous course for anyone wanting to write fiction. Gives all the tools, tips and insight needed to start you on your way. Nice humour in the lessons to help make the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable. Be prepared to work hard and learn a lot!"

"Fabulous, fabulous course AND instructor. I think that this course will prove to have been one of those life-changing experiences for me, as long as I keep writing."

"Fantastic course! I always wanted to write and had many good ideas, but I never knew how to get started or how to get organized. This course answered all my questions and got me started in the right direction."

"Fantastic. One of the most useful on-line writing courses I have taken to date. This course provided me with the blueprinting structure I needed to make my hazy ideas for a novel come together in a workable way. The assignments were challenging, but extremely helpful."

"For those considering whether this course could help them, I sincerely state that it will do so, regardless of your current knowledge level. I say this because I have read many books on writing, and while I already knew all the basics, never was it explained to me in such a concise manner before as it was in this course. I also appreciate all of the hard work Steve put into this course. At all times, Steve remained objective, being inspirational to students, while also maintaining his integrity and being honest with them….Without a doubt, this course has increased my confidence in myself, and I can see a finished novel on the horizon, and you can bet that I will place Steve's name among others in the credits, as I have accepted him as my mentor, and a very good and proper one at that."

"Good class, good material, clear instructions, hard work! I enjoyed the challenge, and I met my goals for the class."

"Great course, got heaps out of it, and it has inspired me to actually write the book that's in my head. This is the most informative and interesting class that I have taken to sharpen my writing skills. The instructor was very attentive and positive to all. The course gave a great guide to continue to use during the coming years of writing my novel. Thanks!"

"Great Course! It was informative and it was fun. You can't beat that!"

"Great Course!! This course has given me a new insight, foundation and structure for my writings. THANK YOU!!"

"Great job, Steve. I really enjoyed it. Your comments were dead on center. The craft of structure was really good. I think it will help me. It seemed more practical than many of the graduate courses I've had."

"Have taken both Write Like a Pro and Steve's Mystery Writing course, I have now published three of the stories I worked on in Write Like a Pro as a result of the course. Thank you, Steve, for offering it."

"I absolutely loved this course and I thought that Steve Alcorn was an outstanding instructor. Steve demystified the aspects of the writing process that stopped me from attempting a novel for years. He was incredibly encouraging and supportive and the resources that he offered were great – not just literature, but films that I intend to watch. I could not wait for each lesson to be released and I was always excited about and appropriately challenged by the assignments. I always knew that I was a capable writer and Steve's course has helped me to actually do the work – write."

"I absolutely loved this course and Steve did a terrific job of presenting it, giving me constructive feedback and answering my inquiries. It was just the right pace and amount of homework. I feel much more educated about what writing entails now than I did when I started. I will use my lessons and notes continuously while working on my projects. Thank you so much!"

"I am so extremely glad I happened to stumble across this class. This course gave me the "ah hah...so that's it!" that I needed to truly understand what makes a story come to life. So much so, that I now analyze every book I read for the basic format I've learned so well. Your information is easy to comprehend, it is logical, and your feedback is invaluable."

"I'd like to thank Mr. Alcorn for his advice and wisdom in areas in my work and for allowing me to express my work and see what everyone thought of it."

"I don't know how much more I can rave about this course and the invaluable lessons and inspiration it has provided me. The thing that shocks me most is that I am only a new starter to this writing business and to have stumbled upon such a gem of a course so early in my learning makes me feel very lucky indeed. This course has given me a story, a passion and a dream. It has sparked a creativity I had no way of finding before. I am going to write this book and love doing it."

"I don't want this class to end! For six weeks I've looked forward to logging on so I could read everyone's assignments, questions and comments. What a thoughtful and intelligent group. Because of each of you, I've gained a lot of respect for writers and readers alike. I especially want to thank you, Steve, for your guidance, comments, clear lessons and challenging assignments. For instance, I never knew about scene and sequel before. Whoa! That almost made me fall off the horse. What I once thought was a scene was an incomplete passage at best. With your help, and the help of everyone's submissions, I'm now beginning to see how structure can liven up my ho-hum prose. Can't wait to try more!"

"I enjoyed every moment of the course and thanks to the this course I can write without being afraid."

"I enjoyed the course tremendously - the content was exactly what I was looking for."

"I enjoyed the course very much and Steve was very helpful and honest. Questions were answered swiftly and Steve's comments on assignments were also answered within minutes. Thanks again Steve."

"I enjoyed this course. The lessons on story structure were just what I was looking for. The discussion area was very useful."

"I especially enjoyed the way the instructor used examples throughout the lessons. For me, having examples is a great way for me to learn. I am in another class with the same instructor and am anxious to learn even more from him. He is one of the best instructors I have encountered. Thank you again!! It has been a huge help!!"

"I feel like a door has opened. I always knew that basic structure was a huge problem with my writing, but the knowledge I obtained regarding, passion, theme, premise and character flaw were truly eye opening. So from the first lesson I realized that I spent far too much time on plot and none on character and story. Literally everything that I learned in this course has made me realize that writing is something I can do, now that I have tools to work with."

"I feel that I now know how to become the writer that I have always wanted to be. Thank you very much!"

"If I were to write a story about my participation in this course, the crisis would be the moment where I went online to sign up for the course, as I was unsure of what to expect.I wanted encouragement, but I did not want an instructor that would approve of everything and say how great I was, when I knew I needed to grow to become an author. I am happy to say I have reached my epiphany, and the course was perfect, with an instructor who was always supportive, but always tactfully pointing out the areas I needed to grow upon. I also appreciate everyone who took part in this course, as I was able to learn a lot from watching the other discussions."

"I found this course to be more valuable for my development as a writer than many of the expensive workshops that I have attended around the country."

"If the story is a donkey and the plot is a tail, then before taking this class I had a pocket full of tails and no donkeys to pin them on. Writing the emotional story has always been my biggest setback. But you have made it so much clearer now on how to set up and organize it to where one thing flows smoothly to the next. The thought of getting published no longer seems like an impossible dream. I am so happy that I decided to take this course. Thank you Steve, thank you very, very much!"

"If you have an idea for a book, but just can't get it together, this is the class for you. Steve Alcorn gives you the tools and the confidence to pull your ideas together and give them structure. Before you know it, you are inspired and writing. What a class! Steve Alcorn is a gifted instructor."

"I genuinely believe that the structure presented in this course will resurrect my writing career. I am deeply indebted."

"I had no idea an online class would be so amazingly interactive and fun - what an honor to work with such a varied, kind, talented group. And Steve - I can't say thanks enough. I've been writing stories since I was a child - I've started and abandoned dozens of stories, scenes, and characters. I thought I had an overabundance of desire and a completely unfair lack of talent to match. But now I realize that a lot of what I've been lacking is structure, an understanding of story elements, and - as you put it - a road map! Thank you again. The structure I've learned here, rather than cramping my creativity, has released it from its aimless wanderings! I can't wait for the Advanced Class!"

"I have learned a lot from this class. Honestly, I had never considered what structure a book needed. I'm glad I didn't spend a year writing my first novel before I learned about structure!"

"I have learned so much from Steve, I want to take the course over again. He imparts so much knowledge & expertise. I loved every minute...!!!"

"I have never taken an online class before, but when I saw the words "Write Fiction Like A Pro" I had to sign up. The dream of being a great writer is very dear to my heart. This class has been a major literary breakthrough for me. It is written that there is a time for everything, and I guess it was my time to find your class. I am truly grateful for the knowledge and insights that you have given. One of the best gifts of knowledge is sharing it with others. My sincerest thank you for everything! I am looking forward to taking your upcoming advanced course."

"I have read books my entire life, all the time. I have always been amazed at how the stories come to life. I thought it was a secret skill. Through each phase of this course a little more light has been shed on "the secret". Now when I look at movies, or read a book I see them in a new light. The biggest thing I have learned is that I CAN write a good book if I follow the concepts that you have given us. Thanks."

"I have recommended this course to others in my writing club. It does an excellent job of breaking large concepts into small, understandable pieces."

"I have taken many writing classes in the hope of learning what I finally learned in Steve's class. His is the first class where I learned the structure a writer needs in order to write a good story."

"I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. Before this class my writing seemed to be progressing slowly and at times I felt like I was writing in circles. The tools provided in this course, Steve, have proven to be invaluable. I love how the Three Act Structure makes sense and helps the entire writing process come together. This was my first experience with outlining and I can't believe what a difference it makes. Steve, you've made writing exciting again, and I can't wait to see you in Advanced Fiction."

"I have thoroughly enjoyed this class…I've had a lot of fun and I learned a lot. What I expected to get out if this class was knowledge of proper story structure, and I came away with so much more. Thank You! Your guidance, instructions and advice, not just to me but also to the others, was appreciated and inspirational. It added so much to this great learning experience. Thanks again."

"I highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to understand how story structure can help a writer create great fiction. Steve Alcorn is an excellent teacher. His lessons are clear - he is quick to respond to questions and assignments - and he is patient. I look forward to taking his Advanced Fiction Writing class."

"I learned a lot in this course. I was having a lot of trouble getting my flow of ideas organized, and this course showed me how to structure a story so your ideas can get organized. Once things clicked, it was like a dam had burst open, and the writing just flowed; the story that was kicking around in my head for four years can now come to fruition. The lessons were clear, concise and informative, and there were lots of suggested readings and supplemental materials that were helpful. The instructor was great; I really liked his style. I would definitely recommend this class."

"I learned more from this course than any other. This course taught story structure and writing techniques I have not found elsewhere. Every aspiring writer should learn the tools taught in this class."

"I learned more from this course than I had expected when I first signed up! I was astounded by the amount of information presented and would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in writing! Excellent!"

"I learned so much. It was amazing for me to be able to put down my ideas and begin to flesh them out. I am sure that this will give me the confidence to continue to write even more. Steve, I wanted to say thank you for this class and your positive words throughout the course. It was truly a delight taking this class. Thanks again."

"I let four people read my course work. I was overwhelmed with their comments. All four people said they would buy my book. What a compliment! In this class I learned that I can be organized and have an outline for my writing. For the first time I have a strong beginning, middle, and the end (that I am most excited about). Steve, thank you for your great lessons and for the confidence you have helped me to discover. I recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn to write successfully."

"I look forward to another course with Steve. I learned much, and I hope to put it to use."

"I loved the course and feel as if I've gathered so much knowledge. The instructor is helpful and personable, responses to discussion questions or assignments were always there within hours, sometimes almost instantaneous. Instructor was enthusiastic with praise yet did not placate or patronize. Highly recommend course and instructor."

"I loved the course and have already recommended it to my writer's group. I will look out for the mystery writing course as well. I enjoyed the stimulation, like a classroom with interaction. I look forward to taking it again. It was a bargain for all I learned. Compared to the cost of writer's conferences and retreats, no comparison! It was great."

"I loved the course and the way Mr. Alcorn presented the information. He made some hard to grasp subjects very easy to understand. I'd definitely recommend this class."

"I loved this class. The teacher is brilliant, knowledgeable and patient and very responsive. Can't wait to sign up for his advanced course, he is awesome! I am recommending him to friends who are impressed that I am finally getting my story together!"

"I'm so happy to have taken this course. Steve is an excellent instructor and his suggestions were very helpful. Anyone who has an idea for a story but not sure on how to bring it to completion would benefit from this course."

"I must say, this was my first online course experience, and I'm sure glad I chose Steve Alcorn's Write Like a Pro Course to whet my appetite. It is without a doubt the best writing course I have ever taken. It has certainly given me the tools and techniques I was hoping to get out of it—plus some! I commend William Doran Cannon for creating such excellent content, and also Steve Alcorn for carrying on with the burden of teaching, for presenting the material so knowledgeably, and for conducting such great and feedback-filled discussions. I will not hesitate to heartily recommend Write Like a Pro to all of my would-be-writer friends."

"I overlooked one very important aspect of writing that this class allowed me to see: passion! Finding the reasons ‘why’ I want to write was something I didn’t think of before this class. Thank you for helping connect with my passion for writing."

"I really didn't know what to expect. This is my first writing class since college, so it's been a while. This class really helped me get my thoughts in order and helped me get it out finally. I liked the style in which it was written and felt comfortable sharing my ideas. I think I'm ready to start expanding my thoughts and developing my stories. I will definitely take Mr. Alcorn's newest class and recommend his classes to others."

"I really enjoyed this course and learned a lot of valuable information from it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning how to write like a pro!"

"I spent a few years taking an at-home writing course which helped advance my writing and give me a better idea of what it takes to make a story. I kept reading about outlines but I was only given a short sample, nothing as in-depth as I got here. I felt like I had all the right tools, but I didn't have a table to work on. I was completely lost and terribly intimidated by the blank page. But this course brought everything together for me and I feel like I can finally complete a descent novel. I'll be back in the future to take your advanced fiction class"

"I started out in this course with a story I had written and I liked it well enough, but I’ve learned to not be satisfied, to rewrite and rewrite and try things a different way. I’ve learned to develop characters until they are people feeling something, instead of just names on a page doing something. I’ve learned that writing is not just intuitive, but it can be improved upon by “taking lessons” from the pros. Oh, and a whole lot more. I’ve learned so much I need to let it sit for a while, before I know what all I’ve learned. I used to write – sold a couple of things but then life came along and I didn’t write any more. Now I do. Again. Thanks, Steve."

"I thank you for the most complete course in writing I have taken, and thank you for the time and effort you put into this course."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this class. It made me work hard and has given me valuable tools to pursue my writing dreams. The instructor shows a lot of knowledge, depth and insight. I will reread and utilize these lessons as I continue to write. I am grateful to have worked with this instructor and I intend to take the advanced class in the near future."

"I thought that this course was a very good building block for me as a writer. Even at the level I am now, I can see the improvement in my writing style. I would recommend this course to others."

"I thought the content of this course was excellent and very useful. It exceeded my expectations. The feedback from the instructor was amazingly prompt, supportive and helpful. Thanks."

"I thought this was a great course, I got a lot out of it and I would recommend it."

"It is difficult to express the value I have gained from this class. I only had an idea for a story when I entered. I now have a direction, a plot, characters and the belief I can actually write this novel. I have truly enjoyed this experience. I have also enjoyed the input from other class members. I will see everyone in the advanced class."

"It was a delightful class and I learned more then I thought possible."

"It was nice to have an instructor who wasn't afraid to have fun right along with the students. For me, it created a relaxed environment where even the smallest question never felt out of place or foolish."

"I’ve gained so much from this class, Steve. Your lessons have been so clear, helpful, and enjoyable. I love the story idea I developed for this class. I will continue to work on it, probably turning it into a novel in the future. Learning how to analyze already existing stories has also been fun. I’m now inspired to read Anna Karinina and The Three Musketeers. This was the first time I participated in the discussion area of an online class, and it was a very pleasant experience. Thank you for always responding with encouragement and very helpful suggestions. I will continue to ponder and use what you taught me to develop ideas for future writing projects. Thanks for a great class!"

"I've learned a lot from this class. I learned to trust my instincts, to accept criticism, that it's o.k. to ask questions, and that it is good to obtain all the feedback you can get. I would like to thank everyone for their critiques and their comments. They all helped me very much, and some put a smile on my face. I would also like to give special thanks to Steve. I'm not sure I've ever had as responsive and involved a teacher."

"I've taken other writing courses before and spent a lot of money. Steve Alcorn is a true teacher. He helped me through the mysterious concept that I haven't gotten anywhere else. Best dollars I've ever spent! Thank you!"

"I've taken several of these courses, and this one ranks as one of the best. Steve gave great feedback without ever making the student feel stupid or inadequate. He would nudge us in the right direction positively, even when we were way off base! I'm signing up for the advanced course, on the strength of his mentorship THANK YOU!"

"I've told people that this class was life-changing when it comes to my ability to structure and complete a work of fiction. I always became blocked and wondered how people knew where their story was going next and how to make sure they were headed in the right direction. This answered all my questions and forced me to get to work on my idea. All around fantastic - worth every penny!"

"I want to say this course has been an eye opener for me. You have helped me so much. I learned more about here how to envision, create, and finish a long form than I did in college, minoring in writing. I have a more tangible plan to follow toward a finished work than I ever have in my life…I will be seeing you in Advanced Fiction Writing. Can't wait!"

"I want you to know that I have found your course incredibly valuable. So much so, I will take it again. And I am old enough and wise enough now to know when something or someone special has entered my life. At the risk of sounding hokey, I can truthfully say that you and the work that you have shared with us will impact my writing, hence my life for all of my days. I hope you know how amazing a gift it is that you share. To a hungry writing soul like me, it's manna."

"I was given this course as a Christmas present from my husband. It has turned out to be the best gift ever. The course is incredibly well structured and well presented. Being a person of great ideas, but little completion, this course forced me to start and FINISH an idea. I truly appreciated instructor feedback, as I've never been able to previously allow myself the vulnerability of sharing any work. Thank you for this opportunity."

"I was so impressed with this course! The structure you present gives us those boundaries that are needed so we can stay on track but it does not hinder creativity! This course gives you the freedom and support that one needs to write at their best."

"I would like to say that this has been one of the most enjoyable classes I've ever taken. I have learned so much about writing and myself. The last lesson hit home with me. I have been terrified to share some things but know I want to horribly. You have given me not only a huge box of tools but the courage to continue on.THANK YOU!"

"Maybe story telling is a part of human nature; something we were all meant to do at some time and in our own unique way. This motivates me to pursue my goal of becoming a published author of science fiction. If I do, my first work will be dedicated to Steve Alcorn. Thanks for a great ride. I learned so much. I have learned that discipline, pre-planning and structure are vital to an interesting and compelling story. I was “blown away” by the power of the structure of “scene and sequel.” Most important of all, I was humbled and amazed by the power of the concept of a “three act” story coupled with the nine dramatic elements of story. I had no idea that such discipline could deliver so much variety, coherence and logic to the story-writing process. Thank you again for a tremendous course. I will certainly recommend it to others."

"Mr. Alcorn is an excellent teacher. He is well structured, knowledgeable, and quick to provide positive and constructive feedback."

"Mr. Alcorn is one of the best instructors I have ever had in all my years of college education. I learned all and more than I ever thought I could in Creative Writing."

"One of the best classes I have ever had."

"Over the years I have taken several writing courses. I have attended writer’s seminars and read many books on the craft of writing. Many of these were helpful but I knew something was lacking. This course filled in the blanks for me. It has taught me the terminology, methods and structure to actually put something together. Using the format of this course has given me the ability to take an idea and see if it works – how to expand on it and a few tricks to turn it into something. That, to me, is the greatest thing I am taking away from this course."

"Steve Alcorn and his course, Write Like a Pro, were very helpful in my goal of writing my first story. The structure taught will last for many stories to come. Great teacher, great lessons, and great assignments! Thank you, Steve."

"Steve Alcorn is a fantastic teacher, always responding to any questions or concerns I had. Given that I have already written, I was looking for a class that would help me better my writing at the foundations before I started on the long form. This class was exactly was I was looking for and more."

"Steve Alcorn is a great teacher and a fine human being. This comes across in his expert and friendly guidance in the course material, and also in his interactive discussions. Jumping into his coursework is to be swept into the Creative Spirit. You learn by doing and it is fun!"

"Steve Alcorn is a wonderful instructor. He clearly loves writing and shares his passion for it through his lessons. His lessons were very clear and concise. Truthfully, as I took this class, I found that each lesson excited me and I couldn't wait until the one. Thanks for everything!"

"Steve, from the very first day I found this course exciting. Each assignment was a new adventure because it opened a new path for me to explore. This course has stimulated the creative juices I have kept dormant for so long. I want more! You will see me in your Advanced Course. Thanks Steve…..this was a fantastic course!"

"Steve, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down at the computer, ready to write a book with one of my many story ideas, only to get stuck. This class has been wonderful in teaching story structure, the three acts and checkpoints. I’ve gotten more of my story down in these 12 lessons than I have in a year. Great class!! Great teaching!!!"

"Steve is an excellent instructor who seems to take a personal interest in each student's work. The course was very challenging but rewarding."

"Steve is a very personable guy with a great teaching style. He knows his subject matter intimately and he definitely has a gift for making the complex understandable. This course has taken me from a skeptic who never believed he could write a novel, to an aspiring author who's already begun his first fiction manuscript. I am confident that with the tools I've been given by this course my dream of becoming a novelist will become a reality. Thanks Steve!"

"Steve I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I learned more here than any other class I have taken! You are a genius! Thanks for your insights, help, and knowledge. I plan to take another class of yours in the near future."

"Steve really cared about us as students and our mutual goal of becoming writers. His class outline was awesome and gave me the structure I needed for writing. Way to go Steve!"

"Steve: Thank you so much for a wonderful writing experience. As a true beginner, I really value your teaching method of story structure. How much easier it is when the outline and checkpoints are in place first. I expecially enjoyed reading everyone's stories, and your comments, and watching their stories develop. I've learned a lot from them too."

"Steve,This process is quite amazing. When I signed up for this class, I expected that I would probably not have any success since fiction seemed impossible to me. Creating characters, events, etc. was beyond anything I had ever thought of doing. As I worked on this last assignment, I actually heard the characters speaking to me and events popping into my head as possibilities. All I can say is I am in awe of this process you've presented. I'm sure you have heard this over and over, but as a former teacher, I know one of the best rewards is when a student "gets it" and I think I'm starting to, thanks to you."

"Steve uses the discussion area very effectively. The feedback is helpful and thought provoking, indicating that he knows the subject well."

"Steve was an excellent teacher. His class was jam-packed with useful information - now and for years to come. He did an excellent job and I will take another class from him."

"Steve was a wonderful and inspiring teacher. His online instruction is so personalized. I often felt that he was just talking to me. His words: "Trust your Talent" is most encouraging to me."

"Terrific course and instructor. His teaching about "scene and sequel" alone is worth the price of the course. I would definitely take other courses from him."

"Thanks so much, Steve. The course was all I hoped it would be. It just ended too soon! Thanks for all your help!"

"Thanks, Steve. I owe all of this to you. Between the first class I took, Mystery Writing, and this class, you've given wonderful instructions that have helped me define and clarify my thoughts. I have read over the notes from my first class and can really see an improvement in my writing."

"Thank you for another great experience with an online course. I was able to reach my goals from this class. Great, prompt instructor!"

"Thank you for giving your knowledge of story structuring to us. I know that you gave me the answers to re-occurring problems that I have when I write in regard to structure. Thanks again!"

"Thank you for this class, Steve, I've seriously been looking for a class like this all my life. It was fun and I feel I learned the basics I need to be able to write a novel. I think that is saying a lot for a six week class."

"Thank you so much for this class! I have a degree in English literature...but no class has stretched me and challenged me and made me keep looking deeper like this one. The story structure is invaluable! Thank you for sticking with me during my initial vague story idea and empowering me to succinctly and coherently write it all on paper."

"Thank you Steve, and my fellow scribblers, for a wonderful course. Steve, this was one of the best structured and informative courses I've taken, and I will be taking your advanced one. Thanks for the guidance, the encouragement and the fun!"

"Thank you Steve, for all the excellent help you have given me. This class has given me tremendous insight and helped me to develop skills with story structure. I admit there were moments that were tough, but once it clicked, it all came together. I couldn’t have done it without your help. You certainly gave me a great deal more than what I was expecting. I look forward to your new class, Advanced Fiction Writing. I’m sure there is still a great deal more that I can learn from you."

"The assignments and the instructor's feedback are the strongest points of this course. I found the instructor helpful and encouraging."

"The content provided in this course was spot on. I learned techniques that will help me keep my story moving forward and elicit the emotions out of the readers that I would like. Steve always took the time to interact with all the students and it helped me to not only read his comments to me but to others as well."

"The course and content were both wonderful."

"The course fit my needs perfectly. I wanted to learn to structure stories without having to write a finished work. Working online allowed me to do it at times to fit my schedule, which was important. The instructor is great. I feel like I've gained a new friend. He was most helpful. No complaints, only good words. The discourses between students overcame the disadvantages of not having traditional classmates."

"The course was excellent. The instructor was attentive, and made learning fun. The lessons make you think, and learn, and be creative. I would recommend this course to others."

"The discussion area was wonderful. I am sure I got more out of the class being able to read the work of my classmates and Steve's responses to their work. This course was extrememly helpful and Steve was an incredible help. I look forward to taking more of his courses."

"The instructor did a great job promptly answering questions and giving feedback. I learned a great deal more from this course than what I anticipated. There is no doubt that I will achieve a great deal more with my future writing endeavors due to the skills I have acquired from this class."

"The instructor, Steve Alcorn, was excellent, patient and kind with his remarks in response to my work. The organization and thought behind this writing course was outstanding and so very helpful in helping a novice get started with the writing of a book."

"The instructor was positive and willing to offer his advice. The course was laid out in a logical way, building on each lesson. A very enjoyable class and a very knowledgeable instructor."

"The instructor was really very good at making the students feel involved. A well-written course by a very interesting teacher! Well done!"

"The intrinsic value of this course is beyond measure; its monetary worth, easily a hundred times the course fee."

"The lessons on story structure are very useful and enjoyable and can be applied to both writing and reading. I learned more about story structure in this online course than I did in any of my college English classes. Mr. Alcorn is a good and encouraging teacher. I recommend this course to anyone interested in writing fiction."

"This class allowed me to focus and move forward in my writing rather than going in so many directions and coming to a dead-end. I really liked the feedback, corrections and encouragement after completing each assignment. I found reading my 'classmates' work rewarding and greatly benefited from Steve's input to them. I'm looking forward to a 'sequel'. Thanks, Steve."

"This class has really given me focus. I have had all of these random thoughts bouncing around in my head regarding my story and it is a really good feeling to finally have the correct structure that I need to get it to flow properly on paper. I have over sixty pages of my story already written. After learning what I have in this class, I realize I will have to go back and analyze the scenes and sequels to make sure all of the components are there. Thanks for being such a positive instructor -- that has helped me the most. Learning is so much easier when the instructor clearly loves what he is teaching and it reflects in his lessons and his comments about our work. Thanks for everything!"

"This class has taught me so much about writing and the importance of outlines. I no longer see them as something that crushes creativity in an unyielding mold, but as just giving yourself a roadmap by which to guide your creative process. It makes it easier to relax and enjoy the trip if you have faith that you know where you are going! It also gave me greater insight into my story, why it is important to me, and why that makes it important to the reader. Thank you Steve for a great class (and thank you everyone who read and commented on my work, it has helped a LOT!) I hope to take another one of your classes in the future!"

"This class met my expectations, and this instructor exceeded them. Mr. Alcorn was a delight. As the lessons progressed and assignments became more difficult, he made sure all questions were answered quickly and thoroughly. His writing style is easy to understand and engaging, and the material is detailed, helpful and well-explained. He’s a terrific teacher, and I would be happy to take another class with him. I have recommended both this class and Mr. Alcorn to several people. Thanks so much."

"This class was amazing. Although I have been writing short stories since elementary school, most were never finished. I knew something was wrong but I never realized it was structure… I am so amazed that in this course I have put together a great outline for a book. This course took what was impossible in my mind, finishing a story idea, and made it possible. I have read countless books on writing and none helped me like this course. It’s like all I read in those books now make sense. If I had to give a theme for my discoveries, it would be “You can do more than you think.” Thanks."

"This class was exactly what I needed! I have been writing short stories and essays for years, but could never seem to take my fiction to the next level. I could write the beginning and the end of a story, but couldn’t figure out how to structure the middle. I feel like the light bulb has finally clicked on and I am eager to start trying out my new skills! Thank you, Steve, for sharing your wisdom and for your insightful feedback."

"This class was incredible. It was everything I wanted and more. I had an idea for a story but just couldn't get started and now I am well on my way. It was one of the best classes I have ever taken. It gave me exactly what I needed to get my book started and I'm so excited to finally have some direction. I absolutely loved it and wouldn't hesitate to take another class with the same instructor! Thank you so much!!!"

"This class was one of the best I have ever taken. I learned so much and still have much more to learn. I'm looking forward to reviewing the lessons and assignments and giving them the time that they deserve. I think I've only hit the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this class. There are so many more nuggets that I just didn't have time to absorb. Thanks so much Steve!"

"This course and instructor were the best of the 10 courses I've taken. I highly recommend it to any fiction writer."

"This course gives you the tools you need to write a novel and the motivation you need to actually do it."

"This course has been fun, challenging, and vital in motivating me to move forward. It provided me with exactly what I was looking for: Structure and Direction. Now, I can't seem to stop the ideas and scenes from popping into my head. I will miss the reading, writing, and chatting in these Discussion Areas, but I am also looking forward to spending more time on finishing what I've started. I am thoroughly enjoying this, now. Thank you, Steve! Your kind and constructive words of encouragement and thanks have been greatly appreciated! I feel like a writer already."

"This course inspired me very much. For the first time, I feel competent in my ability to structure and complete a novel. My instructor Steve Alcorn was incredibly quick in replying to my posts on the discussion board, and his replies were extremely insightful. The course exceeded my expectations and I am looking forward to taking the advanced fiction course by the same instructor."

"This course is absolutely the best thing I could have ever done for myself as a writer. Nothing I have ever done before - college courses, books - has ever explained the art and science of writing as clearly as this class has."

"This course provided fantastic information from an enthusiastic and effective instructor. Cheers and thank you!!"

"This course served as a great starting area and springboard to jumpstart my writing. Steve's comments were always helpful and provided the perfect level of insight. Anyone and everyone that has every wanted to tell a story should take this course."

"This course showed me approaches to the process of writing I had never learned before. My confidence about my writing has increased from this course more than any other writing course I have ever taken! Steve is excellent!"

"This course taught me the basic structuring of a story. It's excellent for someone whom knows how to write but not as effectively and wants to write, publish a novel etc. Teacher has a great way of giving examples of what each writing techniques is about as well as explains the technical meaning such as definition of writing. Excellent course--I learned a lot."

"This course was beyond extremely helpful. I had often wondered how writers do what they do, now I have a much better understanding of that. I am a structured type and this course has taken away a lot of the frustrations I had with my writing. It has given me structure. The instructor was very encouraging but also gave valuable advice. I will treasure and reread his advice during my future writing efforts. Thank you."

"This course was invaluable. The instructor is very helpful and knowledgeable. This interactive way of learning is extremely helpful."

"This course was just amazing. I really feel prepared to write a novel like the pros. Thank you Steve!"

"This course was just what I was looking for to teach me the tools to organize my story idea and map out the plot."

"This course was more challenging than the other course I took and I learned a lot. I believe I have a new way of looking at fiction."

"This course was more than I expected. It was interesting and yet challenging. I would definitely recommend this course and the instructor to anyone. Steve Alcorn went one step further than being an instructor, he was also a mentor through the jungle of fiction writing. He cared about the students as well as our written word with the goal to advance us to a new level. Thank you, Steve."

"This course was outstanding! Far exceeded my expectations. Steve is an excellent instructor and really helped me with his comments in the discussions. One of the best courses I have ever taken, anywhere."

"This course was the most educational, most challenging course I have taken in who-knows-how-long. The lessons were packed with information, but were rarely monotonous or overly-complicated. This was a great course, and if anyone wants to learn how to write a novel or screenplay, this is undoubtedly the course to take."

"This course was very informative and the teacher presented the information in a clear and concise manner. I am very pleased and plan to take another course with this instructor. Thank You."

"This has been a fantastic class. I've taken several creative writing classes,but none equals this one. I never knew anything about structure before I took this class. This class really kept me going, but I worked hard to keep up. I hadn't the slightest idea what I was going to write about. Now, all I need is to fill in the empty spaces such as dialogue, etc. I realize I need structure such as assignments, etc. to keep going and not give up. I just signed up for your mystery class, and I'm really looking forward to it.You've been great Steve. I never thought I'd learn so much on an on-line class. Thanks for your suggestions."

"This has been a truly inspiring course. I am sure you hear that lots, but it truly has. I really thought that I didn't have the imagination or creativity to write a book after starting and failing so many times, but your structure and organization has made it easy to create. This class has fulfilled a dream for me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"This has been such a wonderful course. I learned so much, and all of the lessons have helped me tremendously in writing the novel I have in progress. Each lesson was full of so much invaluable information, I know I'll be referring back to the printed version many times. Thanks to Steve and all my classmates for great feedback and for sharing your great work."

"This has been the hardest, but most helpful course on writing I have ever had."

"This has been the most inspiring course I have ever taken. It was so organized and well thought out. I went from feeling no creative ability to feeling like I can complete my book project with ease. The instructor was very effective and had useful comments on my work. I would take another course like this anytime and hope to do so soon."

"This instructor went above and beyond to help us online, giving such personal attention as reviewing our assignments (This must have been very time consuming, but it was much appreciated)."

"This is a class that any writer could benefit from. In fact, I've read a lot of novels lately that might have benefited greatly from what was taught. It's the most valuable writing course I've taken."

"This is a great course. The material is fascinating and Steve is very knowledgeable, helpful and attentive in his replies. If you want to improve your writing, this class is a thought-provoking and challenging experience. If you want to write a novel, you MUST take this course. It will set you on the right foot and save you all kinds of time you might spend floundering around on your own. Thanks, Steve, and I highly recommend this course."

"This is an excellent class for anyone who wants to learn story structure or to get started with writing. With...our instructor's tireless guidance and support, I've completed my Very First story!"

"This is an outstanding course! Steve Alcorn has made it that much better with his useful and upbeat advice."

"This is the best class to start out in if you want to learn to write fiction. It helped me understand why I had troubles with my other books. Thank you Steve for your help."

"This is the best online course I've ever taken. I would highly recommend it!"

"This is the best writing course I have ever taken. The content was especially helpful. I have not had such a good overview of story structure before."

"This is the fourth online enrichment course I have taken and definitely my favorite. The things I learned in the last six weeks have made me look at things differently. Books, movies, television, I see the structure that is basically in everything. Steve is a great teacher and I would absolutely recommend this course to others."

"This is the second course I've taken from this instructor, and I've enjoyed them both immensely. Highly recommended!"

"This was a fabulous course. I've taken other online courses, but this one is a great value. Similar courses in writing schools would cost three times as much. Steve is a fabulous instructor. He is positive and constructive. His lessons are great for the visual learner (graphics) and add humor. He demonstrates the lessons by applying them to stories. This greatly helps the learning process. This was absolutely a superb experience!"

"This was a fantastic course with a passionate instructor. I'll be back for Advanced Fiction Writing. In six short weeks, I grew years as a writer. Thank you, Steve."

"This was my first online course and my first writing course. I inhaled the information and had a riot trying to apply it. I remember reaching a point when I lost my story and the instructor challenged and encouraged me. Yes, I finally found my story again, but the process of rewriting and rewriting taught me a tremendous lesson. Thank you, Steve, for teaching me the techniques and for your encouragement."

"This was my first on-line experience with course work. I enjoyed it immensely. Steve Alcorn kept things moving and kept me challenged to do better work. He is an excellent instructor."

"Until taking this class I was VERY stuck in a writer's block and convinced that I would never pull this book off. I now realize that writing is not some magical gift that only some people have access to, but an understandable, predictable process, with structure and format, open to anyone who is willing. Admittedly, talent has something to do with it. But now I feel I have the tools with which I can explore my abilities.I've had a lot of fun. Thanks."

"What have I learned about my work and my writing? Where in the world do I begin? I've learned that just because it's written well doesn't mean it's written as well as it can be. I've learned that nearly everything is in a state of evolution while a novel is being written: the protagonist, the plot, the story. I've learned that I can't know how to best present the beginning of a story until I know the end.This course could be entitled: Taking the Fear out of Long Fiction because, presented as you presented it, all of the parts are manageable: little bites, that all add up to the whole, practical tools that gently take you from the inception of the process through the end.I can't tell you how much I appreciate all I've learned from you. It was the appropriate icing on the cake to find out one of my novels will be published while I was taking this second course of yours! I intend to use the tools you offered from this day forward in my writing. It can only improve what I write!"

"When we started this class, I came in hoping to add some structure to some vague story ideas I've had for years. Today, I have a full outline and developed characters for a story that started as a dream I had about somebody I went to high school with. It has been wonderful and amazing to me that I been able to come as far as I have. While I don't have a completed novel, I do have a good start. I would like to thank Steve for his help and positive attitude through this entire course."

"Wonderful course. Great instructor."

"Wow! This has been an amazing six weeks! I walked into this class with a rather skeptical, but hopeful set of expectations. I wasn't really sure I could do this, but you've made a believer out of me. I have very much enjoyed learning the ins and outs of creating powerful fiction and I know I have a set of guidelines and techniques that will serve me well for years to come. Thank you, Steve, for making this information available to us! I do feel, most definitely, as though I've become privy to secrets only known to top insiders.My story started literally as a lark in response to Steve's question in the first lesson. I have watched it grow and develop almost on its own, an entire world of my imagination being born before my eyes. That's the most astonishing part, it came from inside ME somewhere! And I never knew I had it in me. Remarkable!"

"Write Fiction like a Pro is an excellent course and well worth the money. Steve Alcorn is a great instructor. He was prompt and courteous with his suggestions. I've learned many valuable writing tips and he offers good resources, too."

"Write Like a Pro was the very best creative writing class that I have ever taken. I really learned a great deal from this course. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get published."