How to Write Best-Selling Fiction

Overview

Course No. 2533

Award-winning author James Scott Bell reveals the proven recipe for crafting compelling fiction in this 24-lecture masterclass. Drawing from techniques used by literary giants like Stephen King, Suzanne Collins, and John Grisham, you’ll learn the seven critical success factors that transform ordinary stories into page-turners.

From developing unforgettable characters to structuring three-act plots, writing dazzling dialogue to marketing your finished work, this comprehensive guide covers every stage of the writing process. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned writer, you’ll gain practical tools to elevate your storytelling and navigate the publishing world.

Video Lectures

01: Tell Me a Story (31 min)

Discover the seven success factors of fiction and 10 traits of serious writers.

02: Anatomy of a Best Seller (28 min)

Analyze what makes novels successful across genres.

03: Developing Ideas (30 min)

Spark creativity with “What-If Moments” and first-line exercises.

04: The LOCK System (31 min)

Master Lead, Objective, Confrontation, Knockout foundations.

05: Structuring Your Novel (31 min)

Compare plot-driven vs character-driven approaches.

06: Act I – The Disturbance (33 min)

Learn hook techniques from bestselling opening pages.

07: Act II – Arena of Conflict (30 min)

Build tension with mirror moments and character challenges.

08: Act III and Resolution (31 min)

Craft endings that leave readers wanting more.

09: Jump-off-the-Page Characters (33 min)

Develop flawed, unpredictable protagonists.

10: Bringing Characters to Life (31 min)

Use voice journals and relationship grids.

11: Point of View (30 min)

Choose between first-person, omniscient, and third-person.

12: Essentials of Dazzling Dialogue (31 min)

Master five functions of effective conversation.

13: Tools for Talk (33 min)

Script unexpected responses and meaningful silences.

14: Voice and Style (34 min)

Develop your unique writing fingerprint.

15: Make a Scene (32 min)

Construct scenes with goals, obstacles, and outcomes.

16: Subplots and Parallel Plots (31 min)

Weave secondary conflicts using a plot grid.

17: Deepening Emotional Experience (31 min)

Avoid melodrama while delivering powerful feelings.

18: First Pages That Grab (31 min)

Analyze strong openings from contemporary bestsellers.

19: Revising Your Novel (32 min)

Implement professional editing techniques.

20: Blunders and Baloney (34 min)

Avoid common pitfalls and debunk writing myths.

21: Getting Published (33 min)

Craft query letters and navigate contracts.

22: The Self-Publishing Option (33 min)

Evaluate indie publishing pros and cons.

23: Marketing Your Work (32 min)

Build author platforms and effective promotions.

24: Conquering the Mental Game (35 min)

Overcome writer’s block and rejection.

BONUS: Writing Short Stories (32 min)

Adapt techniques for shorter fiction markets.