MasterClass

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  • MasterClass
  • Documentary

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55x1
Introduction
Episode overview
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.
55x2
Truth in Fiction
Episode overview
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.
55x3
Sources of Inspiration
Episode overview
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.
55x4
Finding Your Voice
Episode overview
Your writer’s voice is what makes it possible for someone to pick up a page of text and recognize that you wrote it. Learn how to develop your voice and how to overcome the fear of making mistakes.
55x5
Developing the Story
Episode overview
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.
55x6
Story Case Study: The Graveyard Book
Episode overview
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.
55x7
Short Fiction
Episode overview
The short story is an ideal format for risk-taking. Neil teaches you how to focus your scenes and descriptions for maximum impact.
55x8
Short Fiction Case Study: “March Tale”
Episode overview
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.
55x9
Dialogue and Character
Episode overview
Neil teaches you how to write realistic dialogue, how to listen to and trust your characters, and techniques to help readers remember your characters.
55x10
Character Case Study: “October Tale”
Episode overview
Neil explains the technique of bringing a character to life by putting them in an unfamiliar situation that creates tension.
55x11
Worldbuilding
Episode overview
Learn Neil’s philosophy of worldbuilding, including how to create compelling and believable settings for your novel, and how to avoid the common pitfalls many inexperienced writers make.
55x12
Descriptions
Episode overview
Neil shares his techniques to liven up descriptive prose, including cold opens, withholding information, finding emotional weight, and choosing memorable details.
55x13
Humor
Episode overview
Neil shows how he uses humor in his work. He includes a close look at his novel Anansi Boys to illustrate his personal techniques such as “sherbet lemons” and “figgins.”
55x14
Genre
Episode overview
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.
55x15
Comics
Episode overview
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.
55x16
Dealing With Writer’s Block
Episode overview
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.
55x17
Editing
Episode overview
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.
55x18
Rules for Writers
Episode overview
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.
55x19
The Writer’s Responsibilities
Episode overview
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.

Characters