Write Smarter,
Not Harder
Outline your novel with confidence in this Novel Plotting Crash Course led by Mel Torrefranca.
Learn essential plotting skills, like how to…
- write a killer book premise
- predict reader expectations with a tag cloud
- create an instantly relatable protagonist
- develop an antagonist to be reckoned with
- choose a theme that sparks emotion
- outline key events with a 16-beat story structure
20-page workbook included!
Course Curriculum
This Novel Plotting Crash Course consists of 9 video lessons, culminating to over an hour of content. By the end of this course, you’ll have a strong skeletal outline of the key events in your story, which you can use to write your first draft with confidence.
Lesson 1: Premise
Foundation 1
Craft a single sentence that captures the essence of your story.
Lesson 2: Central Conflict
Foundation 2
Outline your protagonist and antagonist to ensure their goals directly clash.
Lesson 3: Theme
Foundation 3
Develop your story’s theme to guide your protagonist’s growth arc.
Lesson 4: Setup
Story Beat 1
Plan your protagonist’s ordinary life and dissatisfaction.
Lesson 5: Disruption
Story Beats 2-4
Plan an event that shakes your protagonist out of their routine.
Lesson 6: Premise Payoff
Story Beats 5-7
Plan escalating challenges that prepare your protagonist to face the antagonist.
Lesson 7: Midpoint
Story Beats 8-10
Plan an event that changes the protagonist’s perspective and raises the stakes.
Lesson 8: Setback
Story Beats 11-13
Plan how your protagonist embraces the theme after hitting rock bottom.
Lesson 9: Final Showdown
Story Beats 14-16
Plan a climax where the antagonist puts your protagonist’s growth to the test.
Trial Class: Lesson 1
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to write a gripping, one-sentence premise that captures the essence of your story.
This premise description will help you test your concept, plot your story in more depth, and spread the word about your book with confidence. To ensure that you’re building on a strong foundation, set aside time to write multiple variations, and select the one that really clicks.
Meet Your Instructor
Mel Torrefranca is an award-winning YA author and the founder of Lost Island Press. Her debut novel earned the 2021 Readers’ Favorite Bronze Metal Award and her sophomore novel became a #1 Amazon Bestseller overnight. Mel also shares YouTube videos about writing and publishing with over 60,0000 subscribers.
At Lost Island Press, she manages everything from submissions and editing to publication and marketing—pulling from over 4 years of experience as a freelance editor and writing coach.
Her Novel Plotting Crash Course took over 6 months to create, much of it spend on refining the curriculum. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer looking to elevate your process, this course provides simple, actionable steps to clarify and develop your book ideas.
Launch Sale! $199 $99
For a limited time, this Novel Plotting Crash Course is 50% off!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of books can I plot with this course?
While this course isn’t designed for short stories, it’s perfect for plotting novels or novellas. This method works for all fiction genres and age group, making it a helpful tool for everything from middle grade fantasy to adult thrillers and young adult romances!
How long does it take to complete the course, and what should I expect in terms of workload?
This crash course is designed to be completed quickly—though you can certainly pace yourself if needed. After purchase, you’ll gain access to 9 video lessons and a 20-page workbook that you can fill in digitally or print. Each lesson includes 10-20 minutes of focused lecture time. Following the lectures, you will engage in “homework assignments” to apply what you’ve learned directly to your own story. While the time for these assignments may vary, it’s recommended to set aside at least an extra hour per lesson to complete them.
Can I adapt the plotting methods taught in this course for series or multi-book projects?
Absolutely! While this course is tailored for individual stories, the plotting techniques are scalable. As you become more familiar with these concepts and how they fit together, you’ll find it easier to apply what you’ve learned to larger or more complex projects, such as a series or a book with multiple POVs. If you’re already experienced with basic story structures, you may even choose to tackle a series or an unconventional narrative right from the start. This course sets you up with a rock-solid foundation so you can expand your storytelling abilities independently.
Still have questions?
Reach out to info@lostislandpress.com!