Course Offerings

Workforce Education

Advanced Fiction Writing

Do you have a story idea but aren't sure how to begin? Do your friends say you write well, but you're not sure how to get started on that first book? Do you have a manuscript, or parts of a manuscript, and need to know how to polish it for publication? In this course, you'll explore all the topics a writer needs to create a successful manuscript, including story structure, plot, character, dialogue, setting, suspense, conflict, action, viewpoint, tense, and even how to get published. Each lesson includes an assignment that will help you develop or polish your manuscript. You will explore the essential techniques that are often overlooked in a clear, step-by-step fashion. After completing this course, you will never look at fiction writing the same way again!

Course Objectives

Explore all the topics a writer needs to create a successful manuscript, including story structure, plot, character, dialogue, setting, suspense, conflict, action, viewpoint, tense, and even how to get published.

Learn to develop or polish a manuscript.

Study the essential techniques that are often overlooked by other writing classes and textbooks.


Outline of Instruction

Lesson 1 - Story Structure

Lesson 2 - Plot Templates

Lesson 3 - Character Development

Lesson 4 - Viewpoint, Voice, and Tense

Lesson 5 - Setting

Lesson 6 - Advanced Scene and Sequel

Lesson 7 - Conflict, Action, and Suspense

Lesson 8 - Dialogue

Lesson 9 - Beginnings and Endings

Lesson 10 - Symbols, Metaphors, and Writing Big

Lesson 11 - Bring Your Story to Life

Lesson 12 - Self-Editing, Submission, and Marketing


Contact Hours

24

CEUs

No

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

None

Learning Supplies Needed

Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:
PC: Windows 8 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance
• Students must successfully pass 10 quizzes with a minimum grade of 70% by the second quiz attempt.
• If all quizzes are not passed with 70 or better by the second attempt, the final exam score must be 70% or higher on the first attempt for successful completion.
• The Final Exam must be taken by the Wake Tech course end date

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

This course will provide you with the formula for creating and polishing a successful fiction manuscript and getting it published.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Non-Credit Online Learning https://ceonline.waketech.edu
919-532-5847
[email protected]

Current Opportunities
Details Section Date(s) Location Price Seats  
327745 05/13/26 - 07/03/26 Online 97.00 18 Register

If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.


Requisites: None

To view information on this course and additional non-degree course offerings, visit the Workforce Continuing Education Catalog