Humanities
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Creative Writing Tips to Hook Readers

68 CQ
10 Lessons
Course Info
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  • Playing
    Free
    6 CQ
    1. How to Structure a Story
    A lesson with T. P. Jagger
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    This lesson goes beyond the idea that a story merely consists of a beginning, middle, and an end, looking at the five basic elements of the narrative arc.

    How to Structure a Story
    with T. P. Jagger

    This lesson goes beyond the idea that a story merely consists of a beginning, middle, and an end, looking at the five basic elements of the narrative arc.

  • Playing
    9 CQ
    2. Writing Openings & Point of View
    A lesson with T. P. Jagger
    View lesson

    This lesson looks at ways you can hook your readers with your story's opening lines and explores the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

    Writing Openings & Point of View
    with T. P. Jagger

    This lesson looks at ways you can hook your readers with your story's opening lines and explores the advantages and disadvantages of different points of view.

  • Playing
    6 CQ
    3. Writing in Past vs. Present Tense
    A lesson with T. P. Jagger
    View lesson

    This writing lesson explores the advantages and disadvantages of past tense and present tense, helping determine which tense may work best for your story.

    Writing in Past vs. Present Tense
    with T. P. Jagger

    This writing lesson explores the advantages and disadvantages of past tense and present tense, helping determine which tense may work best for your story.

  • Playing
    6 CQ
    4. Powering Your Story's Plot
    A lesson with T. P. Jagger
    View lesson

    This creative writing lesson provides tips for using conflict and suspense to inject tension into your story, powering the plot from beginning to end.

    Powering Your Story's Plot
    with T. P. Jagger

    This creative writing lesson provides tips for using conflict and suspense to inject tension into your story, powering the plot from beginning to end.

  • Playing
    7 CQ
    5. How to End a Story
    A lesson with T. P. Jagger
    View lesson

    This lesson explores different types of story endings, providing tips for writing effective endings that both satisfy and surprise your readers.

    How to End a Story
    with T. P. Jagger

    This lesson explores different types of story endings, providing tips for writing effective endings that both satisfy and surprise your readers.

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    11 Comments
    500 characters max

    Amber H
    I’d love to mail you something from the UK as a thank you. Can I have a contact address? Amberhartman@hotmail.co.uk
    appreciate appreciated
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    T. P. Jagger
    Thank you, Amber—I'm glad you're enjoying my course!
    appreciate appreciated
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    Michelle Z
    You’re terrific. Thank you.
    appreciate appreciated
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    Ben F
    Really great lessons. I very much appreciate the knowledge you’re willing to share!
    appreciate appreciated
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    Ramon V
    You're a great teacher. Thank you for this lesson too!
    appreciate appreciated
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    Jay T
    "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler" by Italo Calvino is an often cited novel written in second person. You might want to talk about close third and omniscient third. Think I'll pick up your example book--it sounds really good.
    appreciate appreciated
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    T. P. Jagger
    Thanks for the feedback and the additional 2nd-person POV title. I know this lesson merely scratches the surface of POV, and you're right--it would be good to dig deeper into the various forms of 3rd-person (omniscient v. limited). Thanks again! :)
    appreciate appreciated
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    David W
    Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerny is also written in 2nd person. It's not a great book, but the POV raises interesting questions. Is the narrator talking to someone else, or is it actually a 1st person narrative told in a very detached fashion?
    appreciate appreciated
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    T. P. Jagger
    David, thanks for sharing that 2nd-person title with us!
    appreciate appreciated
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    500 characters max