Narrative Crafting for Novels: Foundations
Novel Writing
Most novels that stall do so because of structural problems that appear long before the first draft is finished. This course addresses those problems directly.
What the course covers
We work through the core mechanics of novel narrative: how scenes accumulate meaning, how POV shapes reader experience, and how pacing decisions affect the emotional weight of a story. Each module focuses on a specific craft element rather than abstract principles.
Scene and sequence
A scene is not just an event - it is a unit of change. We examine how professional novelists construct scenes that do multiple jobs at once: advancing plot, deepening character, and sustaining tension without feeling mechanical. You will analyze excerpts from published novels and apply the same techniques to your own material.
Point of view as a narrative tool
Choosing a POV is one of the most consequential decisions a novelist makes. We look at first person, close third, and omniscient narration not as abstract categories but as practical choices with specific trade-offs. Writers who finish this module typically feel much clearer about why their chosen POV is or is not working.
Who this is for
Writers who have started at least one novel manuscript and want to understand why certain sections feel flat or disconnected. Some writing experience is assumed - this is not an introduction to fiction writing in general.
What to expect realistically
Craft understanding develops over time and through practice. This course gives you a framework and specific techniques, but applying them well takes sustained effort across multiple drafts. Instructor Petra Vanlinden reviews submitted exercises and provides written feedback within five business days.
Inside the program
Material overview
The material is arranged in stages, with each one building on the last. You can work at your own pace, with no fixed deadline or minimum speed.
Course Structure
- Module 1 - Scene mechanics: Scene vs. summary, the scene-sequel pattern, how to identify where scenes lose momentum
- Module 2 - Point of view: First person intimacy and its limits, close third person distance, handling multiple POVs without losing coherence
- Module 3 - Narrative time: Compression, expansion, and the difference between story time and narrative time
- Module 4 - Tension and stakes: Scene-level tension vs. macro-level stakes, how to sustain both across a long manuscript
- Module 5 - Voice and register: How narrative voice differs from character voice, consistency across chapters, stylistic range
- Module 6 - Revision as craft: Reading your own work diagnostically, identifying structural problems in a completed draft
Each module includes a short writing exercise, an annotated reading excerpt, and an optional submission for instructor feedback.
Challenges this program addresses
- Story ideas that stall before chapter three
- Characters that feel flat or interchangeable
- Unclear sense of narrative pacing or tension
What you'll develop
- A clear structural framework for your novel
- Techniques for building believable characters
- Practical tools for sustaining momentum in long-form writing