Back cover copy. Synopses. Query letters. They are all used to sell your books, to readers and to editors and agents. But they’re not the easiest things to write, not if you want to create compelling, must-read marketing materials. No one likes writing these things--but they can be easier to do with this simple method […]

Are you struggling to increase the conflict and tension in your scenes? Is your book feeling flat, or editors and readers are saying there isn’t enough conflict? This interactive workshop will cover the difference between conflict and tension, how to create conflicts that aren’t just arguments, and developing conflict from your characters. Conflict is what […]

A one-month online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class will cover four main components of revision: plot structure, character depth, conflict and motivation, and show, not tell. Class size is […]

Once upon a time…. Beginning a book is often fraught with a series of questions and decisions. How do you know if you have enough of an idea for a whole book? Where do you start your story? Is it best to start with character or plot? Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump […]

Stuck on your plot? Trying to figure out unique twists for your story? This fun, interactive class, using three paper bags, gives you all kinds of ideas to apply to your work. Learn how to interchange setting, character and plot events to create a truly unique story! Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review Tags Level […]

This class covers the basics of Goal, Motivation, and Conflict, but also helps you develop a powerful plot that creates a strong, memorable novel. Participants will take an idea, or an existing plot, and develop a strong outline that gives them a ready-to-write book. Teacher Schedule Reviews Submit a Review Tags Level Beginner Topic Craft […]

Romance novels comprise nearly half the mass market paperback sales, according to Romance Writers of America. If you are interested in becoming a part of this happily ever after industry, or just want to learn how to add a love story to your mystery, thriller or other genre novel, take a germ of an idea […]

Want your book to be more powerful? Do you want your characters to do more than just talk on the page? Join multi-published, best-selling author Shirley Jump for an interactive workshop on making your dialogue leap off the page and actually work for your novel, not against it. Learn how dialogue can increase tension in […]

For first-time authors, the biggest hurdle to selling is learning how to craft a book that is better than good. Good wins contests. Good gets requests for partials. Good sometimes gets a revision request. But learning how to take “good” and turn it into “sellable” is the key to success. New writers may not see […]

A mini-version of the longer month-long Revision class. Online only class that offers hands-on help revising a manuscript. We will work on chunks at a time, with feedback and critiquing from New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump. The class covers plot, character, and show, not tell, but offers less homework and feedback than the […]

If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, stuck in the middle of the one you are working on, or looking for some structure and support for your current novel, this class is for you. Designed to take you from idea to finished book, The 8-Week Author will cover all major components of a book, […]

How many times have you heard this…and not quite known how to do it? Or gotten this comment back in a critique? This most basic of writing concepts can also be one of the most difficult to master in the beginning. Join New York Times bestselling author Shirley Jump as she leads an interactive workshop […]

Laugh and cry—or make your characters do it during this two-week intensive class on Upping Emotion. Learn how details can make a big difference between a scene that falls flat and one that makes the reader fall in love. Hands-on homework with critiques will give students immediate feedback, helping them take the emotion up a […]

Scenes are the building blocks of your book, and sequels are the glue that bring those scenes together. The trouble is knowing how to create an effective sequel that keeps the pacing and tension running, but also gives the characters and readers a little room to breathe. Learn the best balance of Scene and Sequel […]

Increasing the emotion in a novel is about a lot more than just adding a character death or a shocking family secret. Writers need to first create compelling characters who build a connection with the reader, then craft a plot that brings out the emotion, and develop strong backstory and motivations for the character’s actions. […]

This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, from the basics of knowing which POV you are in, to the more in-depth technique of using POV to build stronger reader/character relationships and create intense emotion. Hands-on homework will have students diving deep into their scenes to create more memorable moments in their character’s head. […]

Editors love books that are character driven and have layered plots. Learn how to create novels with plots created by the characters themselves, using Shirley Jump’s Brainmap Technique, giving a stronger, more powerful--and more emotional story. If you're stuck in your writing, needing inspiration or just want to learn more about developing characters and developing […]

This hands-on class helps writers understand how POV works, which POV to use based on the book, characters, and their author goals, and how to take a blah POV and turn it into something deeper and more emotional. We will talk about the impact of narrative, and show how a few simple tweaks in language […]

Capitalize on this technique marketing gurus have used for years to find the "thought not thought of yet" and avoid duplicating a plot line, character quirk or other idea already out there (that you may have seen subconsciously). Then learn how to use this technique to take your writing deeper and draw out more emotion, […]