Character-Driven Plotting
October 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023
8 to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 to 7 p.m. Pacific)
Finding a balance between story and character is tough. One should support—and not detract from—the other. But it's hard to sustain an engaging story AND character arcs over the course of hundreds of pages.
Enter Joshua Mohr, best-selling novelist and crack writing instructor.
In this four-week workshop with four distinctive lectures, Joshua will break down the varying ways writers can construct an exciting series of events to glue the reader's attention to the page. Each weekly session will begin with a live lecture. And students will also have writing assignments to practice and demonstrate these various tactics for plotting.
After this class, you'll never lose the plot again!
How the four-week course will unfold
Wednesday, October 4
During the opening week, you'll discuss how to construct plots from a meaningful series of events. The trick will be contemplating how to let the characters themselves tell you what's meaningful, rather than superimposing your beliefs on them.
Wednesday, October 11
You'll turn your attention to conflict and tension. The best stories contain both internal and external conflicts; this week, you'll figure out tactics for dramatizing your protagonist's internal wants and desires.
Wednesday, October 18
Developing a cogent psychology—a psychology for a character that's independent from the author's—might be the hardest thing you do as a storyteller. You'll discuss a variety of tactics aimed at giving your characters free will.
Wednesday, October 25
During the last week, you'll put all these pieces together and discuss how to map your images, picking external plot points that illuminate new information about your characters' inner lives. When you nurture the symbiosis between these two domains, that's when Character-Driven Plotting works at its highest octane.
Goals of the Class
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Construct plots that are meaningful series of events.
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Learn to let the story spring from the characters.
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Develop a cogent psychology for your characters.
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Figure out the wants and desires of your characters.
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Marry plot and character in a meaningful, profound way.
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Learn from a guy who has been through the gauntlet of the publishing industry.
Faculty
Novelist, Memoirist, Teacher, Literary Alchemist.
From the electric streets of San Francisco to the grand halls of academia, Joshua Mohr stands as one of the most vibrant and authentic voices in contemporary literature. His critically acclaimed novels, such as the gripping Some Things That Meant the World to Me, have been lauded for their gritty realism and evocative introspection.
However, it is in his latest offering, the memoir Model Citizen, where Mohr's talent truly shines. Delving into deeply personal terrain, he lays bare his own life, sharing a journey marked by addiction, recovery, and redemption. The memoir showcases his unerring ability to capture the human condition in all its flawed glory, making readers reflect on their own vulnerabilities, strengths, and the shared experiences that bind us all.
As a teacher, Mohr is more than just a relay of writing mechanics. He is a mentor who dives deep into the art of storytelling, guiding his students through the alchemical process of transmuting their life experiences into compelling narratives. His own transformative journey from personal battles to literary acclaim serves as a testament to his teachings.
Joshua Mohr is not just a writer but an experience. He invites readers and students alike to grapple with life's complexities, urging them to confront their shadows and celebrate their triumphs. In a literary landscape filled with fleeting trends, Mohr's voice remains distinctive—a beacon of authenticity, resilience, and the profound power of the written word.
$249 for eight hours of instruction
EVENING CLASS
October 4, 11, 18, 25, 2023
8 to 10 PM Eastern (5 to 7 PM Pacific)
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
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