The Course
Dive into the world of fiction with a pen in hand and a wealth of imaginative narratives in mind! This engaging course is your personal playground for learning how to craft captivating, concise tales that pack a punch.
Explore various elements of storytelling, including character development, plot structure, and dialogue, plus learn how to polish your prose to a gleaming shine.
Whether you've got a head buzzing with potential whodunnits, ghost stories, or heartfelt dramas, we'll guide your journey from the first spark of an idea to a fully-realized short story.
What you will learn
My goal in this course is to provide you with a comprehensive toolkit for short story writing. I've organized each lesson to build your confidence, offering guidance on how to weave compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and master the art of transporting your readers.
Both your creativity and technical skills will be nurtured here, with real-world techniques used by successful short story authors. By the end, not only will you have a portfolio of your own stories, but you'll also have the keys to getting published.
Curriculum
- Lesson 1- Introduction (2:29)
- Lesson 2- The Difference Between Short Stories and Novels (2:38)
- Lesson 3- Exploring Short Stories — Flash Fiction (1:18)
- Lesson 4- Exploring Short Stories — Mini Sagas, Drabbles, Feghoots (1:25)
- Lesson 5- Exploring Short Stories — Vignettes (1:08)
- Lesson 6- Exploring Short Stories — Sketch Stories (1:13)
- Lesson 7- Exploring Short Stories — Anecdotes (1:39)
- Lesson 8- Exploring Short Stories — Novelettes (1:10)
- Lesson 9- Plot vs. Story (6:13)
- Lesson 10- The Dramatic Elements (7:00)
- Lesson 11- Character Building (7:17)
- Lesson 12- Story Structure (5:50)
- Lesson 13- Viewpoint (4:24)
- Lesson 14- Scene and Sequel (4:40)
- Lesson 15- Setting (3:58)
- Lesson 16- Dialogue (4:36)
- Lesson 17- Beginnings and Endings (3:49)
- Lesson 18- Writing Big (4:28)
- Lesson 19- Editing and Manuscript Checklist (3:47)
- Lesson 20- Marketing Short Stories (5:34)
- Lesson 21- Self-Publishing Your Short Story Anthology (4:20)
- Lesson 22- Conclusion and Next Steps (3:37)
Your instructor
Steve Alcorn is the USA Today best-selling author of more than a dozen books across various genres – from mysteries and thrillers to writer's guides like the acclaimed "How to Fix Your Novel".
Beyond the written word, his entrepreneurial spirit shines through as the founder of Alcorn McBride Inc, marrying storytelling with technology in the world’s most renowned theme parks. This unique blend of creativity and innovation is infused into his teaching, where he empowers students to weave their own tales.
With over two decades mentoring over 100,000 students, many of whom are now published authors, Steve’s teaching is deeply rooted in his passion for helping students bring their ideas to life and get published.