UCLA Extension winter holiday closure: December 21 through January 1. Learn More

Novel I

WRITING X 411.1

Start writing your novel in this workshop; guiding you through the building blocks of great books while teaching you essential tools for fiction writing.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Live Online
Online
In Person
Starting at $720.00
As few as 10 weeks
3.0

What you can learn.

  • Bring the story inside you onto the page with the guidance of a professional writer
  • Make weekly progress on the first chapter of your novel in a supportive, collaborative environment
  • Learn key elements of successful novels, including plot, structure, and point of view

About this course:

That novel is inside you waiting to emerge, but knowing how and where to start can be daunting. This course provides you with weekly assignments, group interaction and instructor feedback to help you explore various methods of writing your first novel while learning the key craft points of plot, structure, characterization, point-of-view, sense of place and voice. The goal is to complete the first chapter of your novel by establishing an intimacy with your characters as you artfully shape their journey and to develop an overall concept to guide you through your story. Required for students considering the long-fiction sequence.

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday, Saturday
Available
See Details
Instructor: Wally Rudolph
400618
Fee:
$720.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes

No meeting January 14.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 21, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Tue Jan 7, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Sat Jan 11, 2025
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Jan 21, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Jan 28, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Feb 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Feb 11, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Feb 18, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Feb 25, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Mar 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
Discussion
Tue Mar 11, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Haines Hall 110
-
Thursday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Available
See Details
Instructor: Elizabeth L. Silver
400617
Fee:
$720.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

 

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 23, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Thu Jan 9, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 16, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 23, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 30, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 6, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 13, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 20, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 27, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Mar 6, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Mar 13, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Available
See Details
Instructor: Dan López
400615
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 22, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Available
See Details
Instructor: Jennifer Chukwu
400616
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 22, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
The Last Draft: A Novelist's Guide to Revision by Sandra Scofield

Spring 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Melanie Thorne
402318
Fee:
$720.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Wed Apr 2, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed Apr 9, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed Apr 16, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed Apr 23, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed Apr 30, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed May 7, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed May 14, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed May 21, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed May 28, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
Discussion
Wed Jun 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
School of Public Affairs Bldg.
-
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Radhika Sharma
402317
Fee:
$720.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

 

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Wed Apr 2, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 9, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 16, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 23, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 30, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 7, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 14, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 21, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 28, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Jun 4, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Dan López
402315
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Jessica Barksdale
402316
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

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