Watch How to Write Best-Selling Fiction

How to Write Best-Selling Fiction, from The Great Courses Signature Collection, is a comprehensive and engaging course on the art of writing fiction that will surely be of immense benefit to both new and seasoned writers. The course is presented by James Scott Bell, an award-winning author and popular writing instructor with over twenty books to his name.

The course consists of twenty-four lectures, each lasting around thirty minutes, which cover a wide range of topics related to writing fiction. From the basics of creating characters that readers care about, to developing memorable settings, to crafting compelling plots, Bell covers all the essential aspects of writing a novel or short story that will keep readers engaged and invested in the story.

The lectures are structured in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, with Bell presenting his ideas in a clear and concise manner, always backed up by examples from his own writing or that of other successful authors. He provides practical tips and exercises to help writers put the concepts he discusses into practice, and there are also interviews with industry professionals such as literary agents and book editors, who offer useful insights into what publishers are looking for in a successful manuscript.

Throughout the course, Bell emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs and expectations of readers. He encourages writers to think of their work as a conversation with their audience, and to focus on providing them with an enjoyable and fulfilling reading experience. He also stresses the importance of consistent practice and hard work, reminding his students that writing is a craft that takes time and effort to master.

One of the most valuable aspects of the course is Bell's approach to outlining and planning a novel. He advocates for a detailed and comprehensive approach to outlining that involves breaking down the plot into specific beats and character arcs. This method can help writers stay focused and avoid getting bogged down in the details of the story as they write.

Throughout the course, Bell also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his own writing journey, which help to bring the material to life and keep students engaged. He is a charismatic and engaging presenter, with an easy-to-follow style that makes the material accessible to a wide range of learners.

Although the course is focused primarily on writing fiction, Bell's insights and advice could be applied to a wide range of writing genres and formats. Whether writing a bestselling summer beach read or a literary masterpiece, the principles outlined in this course will be of immense value to writers of all stripes.

Overall, How to Write Best-Selling Fiction is an excellent and comprehensive course that covers all the essential elements of writing an engaging and successful novel or short story. James Scott Bell is an engaging and knowledgeable teacher, and his practical advice and exercises will be of immense value to aspiring writers looking to develop their craft. Highly recommended.

How to Write Best-Selling Fiction is a series that ran for 1 seasons (25 episodes) between March 29, 2019 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection