Neil Gaiman – Teaches The Art of Storytelling

Unlock your storytelling potential with Neil Gaiman, one of the most celebrated storytellers of our time. In this masterclass, Neil guides you through the art of creating compelling stories, drawing inspiration, and developing your unique voice.

What You’ll Learn

Module 01: Introduction

Meet your new instructor: Neil Gaiman, one of the most prolific storytellers of our time. In his first lesson, Neil explains why he loves to teach and how he wants to encourage you to tell stories that matter. He’ll share his passion for storytelling and give you the foundation to begin your own journey.

Module 02: Truth in Fiction

One of the central tools of literature is using the “lie” of a made-up story to tell a human truth. Neil shows you how to make your story’s world—no matter how outlandish—feel real to readers. You’ll learn to infuse your fiction with genuine emotions and truths that resonate with audiences.

Module 03: Sources of Inspiration

Neil believes that even old stories can be approached from new angles. Learn how to create your own “compost heap” of inspiration and how to draw from your experiences to make a story uniquely your own. This module will help you cultivate creativity and discover hidden gems for your stories.

Module 04: Finding Your Voice

Your writer’s voice is what makes it possible for someone to pick up a page of text and recognize that you wrote it. Neil teaches you how to develop your voice and how to overcome the fear of making mistakes. By the end of this lesson, you’ll feel more confident in expressing your unique style.

Module 05: Developing the Story

Every story has a big idea. Learn how to find a big idea that’s meaningful to you, as well as how to create conflict and compelling stakes for your characters. Neil will teach you how to structure your plot, making sure it captures and holds the reader’s attention from beginning to end.

Module 06: Story Case Study: The Graveyard Book

Neil uses his young adult fantasy novel, The Graveyard Book, to illustrate how character motivations serve as the essential building blocks of a compelling plot. You’ll see how a well-developed character can drive a story forward and create a connection with your readers.

Module 07: Short Fiction

The short story is an ideal format for risk-taking. Neil teaches you how to focus your scenes and descriptions for maximum impact, showing how short fiction can be both powerful and concise. By understanding the nature of short fiction, you can sharpen your storytelling skills.

Module 08: Short Fiction Case Study: “March Tale”

Using “March Tale” as an example, Neil shows you how to expand your narrative by creating conflict for your protagonist and how to bring your story to a satisfying climax. This case study will help you apply the concepts learned in the course to your own work.

Module 09: Dialogue and Character

Neil teaches you how to write realistic dialogue, how to listen to and trust your characters, and techniques to help readers remember your characters. The module will help you develop characters that feel authentic and relatable, with dialogue that propels the plot forward.

Module 10: Character Case Study: “October Tale”

Neil explains the technique of bringing a character to life by putting them in an unfamiliar situation that creates tension. Through this case study, you will understand how to push characters to their limits and create compelling, dynamic arcs.

Module 11: Worldbuilding

Learn Neil’s philosophy of worldbuilding, including how to create compelling and believable settings for your novel. This module will teach you how to avoid common pitfalls and make your fictional world as rich and immersive as possible.

Module 12: Descriptions

Neil shares his techniques to liven up descriptive prose, including cold opens, withholding information, finding emotional weight, and choosing memorable details. You’ll learn how to create evocative descriptions that draw readers in and enhance the emotional impact of your story.

Module 13: Humor

Neil shows how he uses humor in his work, including a close look at his novel Anansi Boys. He demonstrates techniques like “sherbet lemons” and “figgins” to bring lightheartedness and wit into your writing.

Module 14: Genre

Readers’ expectations are intrinsically tied to genre. Neil explains how an understanding of your story’s genre can help you provide delightful surprises to your audience while adhering to genre conventions. This lesson will guide you in playing with genre while keeping your readers engaged.

Module 15: Comics

Writers don’t need to shy away from comics just because they’re not illustrators. Neil demonstrates his process of plotting and scripting a comic, using an award-winning issue of Sandman as an example. This module will teach you how to write compelling stories within the unique constraints of the comic medium.

Module 16: Dealing With Writer’s Block

Every writer faces times when they’re stuck. Neil talks about some of the difficulties of the writing life and gives ideas about how to get through them. You’ll leave this lesson with practical strategies to overcome creative blocks.

Module 17: Editing

Neil gives advice about the editing process, including why it’s important to take time away from a project and to get feedback from a trusted reader. This module will guide you in honing your drafts and refining your work for maximum impact.

Module 18: Rules for Writers

In his rules for writers, Neil talks about striking the right balance between humility and confidence, as well as the need to stay organized and devoted to daily work. These principles will help you navigate the challenges of being a writer.

Module 19: The Writer’s Responsibilities

Neil concludes with a deeply personal discussion of the responsibilities that people who create art have to their audience and what this means for humans as a whole. This module challenges you to think about the power of storytelling in shaping culture.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or an experienced author looking to refine your craft, Neil Gaiman’s course on storytelling provides valuable tools and insights that will elevate your writing. From understanding character development to mastering the art of worldbuilding, this course will transform how you approach storytelling. With Neil’s guidance, you’ll learn how to tell stories that resonate with readers and stand the test of time.