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.

