Stories that Satisfy
Self-paced Course
Writing isn’t hard. Anyone can put words on a page. Storytelling on the other hand is an art form, and it takes time to master. Why not give yourself a head start in mastering the art of storytelling by penning short stories.
Think about it ... writing a short story isn’t any easier than writing a novel just because it’s short. There might be less words in a short story, but it doesn’t take any less skill to engage and satisfy your reader.
Short stories do, however, take less time to write. Rather than dedicating months, perhaps years, to writing a novel only to discover that something just isn’t working, doesn't it make sense to learn your craft and hone your skills on stories with a lower word count?
Writing short stories can help you get a better handle in a shorter time frame on story structure and character development. You’ll also learn to make every word count. In short (pun intended), you’ll learn how to keep your reader hooked and turning pages until the very last word.
My self-paced course, Stories that Satisfy, is designed to walk you through the entire story-writing process, from idea conception and fleshing out your characters, to analysing feedback and revising. The process I share is the one I used to write my short story, Add a Little Spice, which won third place in the Romance Writers of Australia’s Sweet Treats Competition in 2020.
Libby is an excellent teacher who provides invaluable feedback. Her course, Stories that Satisfy, taught me the principles of writing ‘short’ and broke the process down into manageable steps. Using these principles, I’ve successfully won entry into five anthologies and earned finalist placings in two short story competitions. I highly recommend Libby’s course to anyone who is looking to write short stories.
Jacinta Peachey | Award-winning contemporary romance author
Write a short story in 9 easy steps!
This course is for you if you are still developing your storytelling craft and learning how to weave all the elements of story together.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this course, you will:
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explore sources of inspiration and learn how to turn the seed of an idea into a story;
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learn the importance of character development and how this can be used to fuel your story's plot events;
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learn how to write a well-paced and engaging short story, from the first word to the last;
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learn how to edit your story to ensure every word earns its place;
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learn how to solicit constructive feedback and use it to strengthen your story.
TIME COMMITMENT
You should expect to dedicate anywhere from 15-25 hours to this course, which will include planning, drafting and editing your story.
STEP 1
Idea Conception
Coming up with an idea for a short story can be difficult, but in this course, you'll learn how easy it can be to find inspiration. In this step, tips and tricks abound for nurturing your story concept.
STEP 2
Sketching Characters
The key to creating interesting and engaging characters is to know what drives them. In this step, you'll get to know your characters by answering these five guiding questions.
STEP 3
Identifying Point of View
Learn how to identify which character's perspective it's best to tell your story and practise immersing your readers deep in their point of view.
STEP 4
Outlining Your Story
In this step, you will develop your understanding of what each part of the story should achieve. Using what you learn, you will create your own story outline or 'roadmap'.
STEP 5
Drafting Your Story
Whether you're inspired by the blank page or frightened by it, I'll teach you techniques to harness your creativity and remain focused on getting that first draft written.
STEP 6
Revising Your Story
Learn about the big picture elements of your story, analyse them to ensure they are working together to engage the reader, and revise to fix any critical issues.
STEP 7
Choosing a Title
A cleverly crafted title can catch a reader's attention. In this step, you'll learn what makes a good title and get lots of tips for crafting the perfect one for your story.
STEP 8
Seeking & Analysing Feedback
To improve as a writer, you must be willing to share your work. Learn how to solicit and receive feedback to minimise any negative impact on your confidence as a writer.
STEP 9
Polishing Your Story
Once the story itself is in good shape, it's time to polish your words. This self-editing checklist will help you make your story shine!