


Masterclass: Plotting
One of a series of six intensive, impactful masterclasses from Faber Academy's Director of Fiction.
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After eleven years directing our flagship Writing a Novel course, helping over a hundred students gain publication deals, Richard Skinner has developed our new series of six masterclasses. Covering the essential elements of fiction in his fullest, most impactful workshops, this series is perfect if you’re looking to sharpen your skills, improve particular elements of your writing, or aren’t able to commit to one of our longer courses.
What is the difference between story and plot? This workshop explores this question, so crucial to understand for any writer, new or otherwise. Using maps of the London Underground, Mike Figgis’s Dramatic Situations and a long plotting exercise, you’ll practise the art of how to lead a reader through a story.

Schedule
The course will take place on Zoom, using a mix of teaching and discussion time with practical exercises to get you writing.
18.30–18.45
Welcome and introductions
18.45–19.45
Finding ways through
We will look at a series of examples to show the way in which plot ‘leads’ you through the narrative, whereas you merely ‘follow’ the story.
19.45–20.00
Break
20.00–21.00
Plotting exercise
Using a set of prompts, diagrams, dramatic situations & oblique strategies, you will spend this half of the evening plotting an entire novel.

Richard Skinner
Richard Skinner is a novelist, poet and critic. His most recent book, The Mirror, was described as ‘beautifully written...
More About This TutorRichard Skinner is a great teacher [...] After every one of his classes, I return to my writing feeling inspired

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