Creating a story is like putting a puzzle together, one with missing or misleading pieces. In this course you’ll learn how to recognize what pieces of your story you have (such as characters, scenes, or conflicts), determine what pieces are still missing, and fashion the pieces you need. Dave will show you how to create imaginative settings that can give birth to incredible societies and characters, plus how to take those characters’ cores and generate enthralling conflicts for your plot.
David Farland's Online Writing Courses
"I still use the writing techniques he discussed, and constantly reference him and his instruction when I teach creative writing myself. . . His explanations led me directly to getting an agent, and subsequently, my first book deal."
"He understands storytelling and writing on a freaky level. All of us feel like we owe a huge debt to him."
“Dave’s work spans many genres and is always good!”
"If you’re like me, stuck trying to get a novel completed for years, then you’ll love David Farland’s writing courses as much as I do. I was reading dozens of how-to books, attending writing conferences, but on square one. Since taking The Story Puzzle, Professional Writers Workshop and Writing Mastery 1 my critique group writers tell me they can’t believe how much I’ve improved, and want to sign up themselves. I’m surprised how much more confidence I have. All because I have a best-selling expert at my side coaching me along. I’m finally on my way to publication."
"Aside from being a talented writer, David Farland is an excellent writing teacher. Hearing him teach live and reading his written advice has helped me focus many of my own thoughts about the writing process. Those who would like to learn more about the craft of writing would be wise to pay attention."
"David Farland’s writing courses gave me the tools to build my writing
career. I wrote the first chapter of *The Brass Queen* as a worldbuilding
exercise in the *Story Puzzle* class. Dave’s kind words of encouragement
inspired me to expand that exercise into an entire novel. As I worked
through Dave’s courses, I learned how to create unforgettable characters,
thrilling plotlines, and emotionally resonant themes. I also gained an
insider’s perspective of the publishing industry that helped me to become a
traditionally published author. Dave shared the tools to build my rocket
ship and pointed me toward the stars. I couldn't have wished for a better
launch!"
"I paid the full $2,400 for these courses and books over the years, which were all well worth it!"
“If there's an aspiring writer in your life, this is a princely gift. If YOU are the aspiring writer, this is an investment in your own success.”
“This is a seriously good deal. The classes I've taken from Dave have been some of the most useful, thought-provoking writing lessons I've had.”
"Invaluable! These workshops kicked my writing into high gear"
"Dave Wolverton's workshop is a hands on Master's Course in developing all aspects of your novel. Whether you're interested in making the transition to professional author or are already published and wish to facilitate your move to the next level, Dave will give you the skill set necessary to make it happen. It is rare to find such an in-depth analysis of both craft, as well as a thorough examination of the publishing business, offered with such frank generosity. This class will motivate you to reach higher and dig deeper. I highly recommend it."
"I took the Story Puzzle course on My Story Doctor. The course is all about building a satisfying narrative for your reader. I highly recommend it and other My Story Doctor courses for anyone who wants to write professionally. Dave is a wonderful instructor who has an ability to explain concepts in an understandable and engaging way. He is encouraging toward students while also being able to dig into the problem areas in the prose they produce. This, coupled with the community he is building makes My Story Doctor one of the premier locations for writer education."
"David Farland is a phenomenal creative. An unusual mix of left- and right-brain thinking: an artist, but also a technician.
A brilliant man, but also so nurturing. The list of his students is long and impressive—people who may well not have achieved their greatness without David's guidance.
His workshops, instructional books and newsletters are all invaluable. (With his constant stream of help, advice and instruction to new and developing writers, I sometimes wonder when he finds time to write novels. But he does!)"
David is one of my own most valued mentors.
"I can say completing Dave's Writing Mastery I class has been invaluable to improving my skills as a writer and I can’t thank Dave enough for his tutelage. Now, I’m moving on in the next phase of my plan to prepare the first book of my Fantasy Series to submit seeking a publisher. I’m comfortable with Dave Farland, and have learned a great deal from him. I’m embarking on a higher level online class with Dave called Rewriting to Greatness which is geared toward teaching authors the ins and outs of editing and revising their own work. My goal is to revise my book to make it the very best it can be in order to secure a publishing contract. I’m confident that with Dave’s guidance I’ll be able to develop the professional skills that will help me launch a successful career as a professional writer."
"Does anyone know more about the craft of writing than David Farland? It's possible, but you can't go wrong with his books and courses. As a general rule I don't review other writers, but this isn't a review of a specific book. This is a review of the Story Doctor; in short, everything Farland has done to share his unique insider knowledge of writing, publishing, and working with Hollywood. The information he shares is invaluable.
"I first took a class from David Farland called Writing a Blockbuster Novel (or something like that) at LDStorymakers several years ago. He talked about writing novels in a way I could understand--in terms of movies. I love to read, but MOVIES really stick in my head. And the best books I've read (and those I want to write) READ like movies. But until Dave I hadn't had "permission" to think of them that way. Since then I've attended one of Dave's workshops, taken a couple classes from him at various conferences and read his books. The man is brilliant. And his creative way of looking at the writing process (statistics? movies for research? drawing on cultural preferences?) really resonates with me. I highly recommend any of David Farland's writing workshops and books."
"I took one of Dave's in-person training seminars and it proved to be a major milestone in my writing career. I learned the reasons why my beloved first novel would never sell. More importantly, I learned how to approach re-working the novel from the ground up, which I did. The end result is 10 times better and will be released within the year. I absolutely and without reservation recommend David Farland's training classes."
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