Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > Novel Writing

Novel Writing

Be on your way to finishing your novel in three months.

Course is closed.
Novel Writing

WHEN 12 weeks, Tuesdays, February 26 - May 13, 7-10 pm

WHERE West Hollywood, CA

LEVEL Intermediate

MORE INFO Email us or call (310) 659-5668

PRICE
$610 ($575 for )
more info

Course Details

You want to write a novel. So what's the big deal? Well, it's a daunting task. Do you need an outline, a synopsis, or a treatment? How can you stop procrastinating and improve your self-discipline? How can you better manage your time and work when you feel defeated and uninspired?

Join fellow writers in your pursuit of a first draft, under the guidance of a published novelist who knows what you need to do to get your novel completed. You'll learn the lost art of craft, uncover your writer's voice, and discover things about yourself and your work you never knew before.

Weekly lessons will include such topics as point of view, theme, dialogue, plot, character development, form, and structure. You'll also learn how to silence your inner critic. Students will share their novels, workshop-style, with the class every week and must be prepared to discuss each others' work, as well.

In this class, you will learn:

  • How to write an outline - and when to change it
  • How to create believable characters
  • How to create tension and conflict in your story
  • How to create a consistent tone and point of view
  • The secret to realistic sounding dialogue
  • The difference between character, plot, and theme-driven stories
  • How to show conflict rather than tell
  • How to develop effective work habits that will serve you long after this class ends

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a novel.

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (incuding a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Instructor Bio

David Israel's Courses

No courses available at this time.

David Israel
David K. Israel is the author of the recent novel Behind Everyman. He is a frequent contributor to mental_floss magazine and his writings have been published in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. David is also an accomplished songwriter and composer. His works have been commissioned by Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, and The American Symphony Orchestra.


Testimonials


David is the only catalyst you'll need to finish your novel. He's supportive and unflinching, and is an impeccable listener. I'd always been able to start novels, but under his guidance I finally finished one. Stop rationalizing your life away and take his class. -- Becky Hayes, casting director

"Not only is David a great writer, he's an inspirational teacher as well. With his encouragement I finished the first draft of my novel." -- Mike Welch, producer

"By the end of this class, I had three hundred pages of a novel that I hadn't had before, and a whole new appreciation for how much time I'd been wasting not writing. No regrets!" -- Vanessa McGee

"David is incredible. His comments are at once encouraging and constructive without being unduly flattering. He's a writer's writer who really helped me tell the story I wanted to tell. Great guy." -- Chris Rogers

"David was excellent -- a true professional. He was able to point out flaws in writing styles plus constructively critique without ruffling feathers. He also created a true writer's circle. I will definitely continue on with him." -- Stephanie Cox

AvantGuild* Discounts on mediabistro.com courses are just one of the wonderful benefits of being in AvantGuild, our premium membership program. For just $55 a year, you'll receive instant access to our How to Pitch articles and other premium articles, transcripts from selected seminars and panels, and discounts on virtually everything we do (including eClasses and the Freelance Marketplace)! Click here to join now.