Plot Curious
Sundays February 2, 9, 23, and March 2 (no class February 16)
1:00—3:30pm EST (Live on Zoom) ***will not be recorded***
PLUS a bonus conversation with author Rufi Thorpe and her literary agent Michelle Brower on February 10 at 8pm EST (this WILL be recorded)
You have an idea for a novel that could change your life. You know you can’t sell the book until you write it. So what’s stopping you? Is perfectionism preventing you from beginning? Do you feel as if you are stumbling around an unfamiliar house in the dark, feeling every wall, searching for the light switch? Are you curious about plot structure but afraid it will transform you from a genius into a hack? Have you tried to write this book three times already and something still isn’t working?
This course is for plot-curious writers who want to craft novels that keep readers up past their bedtimes. You’ll learn the most common mistake literary novelists make, what bestselling novels all share, and how to inject more pleasure into your writing. If you’re worried that you’re wasting time by figuring out an 80,000-word story arc as you go, if you studied creative writing in graduate school but never learned plot structure, or if you feel like crying every time someone asks “what’s your book about?,” you may be plot curious.
Each week, we’ll meet live on Zoom to discuss a TV show, movie, or novel, breaking it down to its essential conflict, web of characters, moral argument, designing principle, pleasure inventory, and scenes. Like the little boy in The Sixth Sense, you will soon be able to say, “I see plot structure everywhere.” The syllabus includes one rom com, one courtroom drama/murder mystery, two literary novels, and a craft book.
“Leigh’s depth of knowledge and willingness to help made a huge difference—she’s not only brilliant but also genuinely invested in helping you work through any struggles with understanding plot, which can feel overwhelming. Her approachable style and clear explanations made even complex topics accessible. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to deepen their storytelling skills!”
— Sierra
By the end of the course, you will:
Be able to describe your novel in a succinct and compelling way
Intimately understand your main characters and what’s driving them
Complete an outline of the major turning points in your story arc
Better understand scene structure
Please note: this is a plot structure course, not a writing workshop. There won’t be sharing of student work, or teacher feedback on student work.
Syllabus: Fleabag (season 2); Anatomy of a Fall; Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe; Victim by Andrew Boryga; The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
About the teacher: Leigh Stein used Truby’s 7-step story structure method for her novel Self Care, which was named one of the 10 Best Pop Fiction Titles of 2020 by Library Journal and “highbrow brilliant” by New York magazine, and for her new novel If You’re Seeing This, It’s Meant for You, which is forthcoming from Ballantine.
“Leigh’s Plot Curious course truly revolutionized how I think about story structure. Leigh is a fantastic, empathetic, quick-witted instructor who you’ll learn so much from.” — Katie
Enrollment: Class size is limited to 20 students and is by application only. This is not a course for beginning writers. Previous writing experience is required.
Applications are due by Sunday, December 8 and Leigh will send out acceptance notifications by Friday, December 13.
Registration fee: $495 will be due upon acceptance
“This class taught me more about structure and narrative than the three years I spent getting my MFA in film. Leigh is an excellent instructor and this class is truly worth every penny and every minute.” — Sarah