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Writing Popular Fiction

Lee Child

Writing Popular Fiction

Lee Child, the bestselling author of the Jack Reacher novels, is one of the world's most successful authors of all time. Since he began writing in his 40s, he's sold an incredible 200 million books, topping the best seller charts worldwide for three decades. For the very first time, and exclusively on BBC Maestro, Lee breaks down his writing process. He'll show you how to turn your blank page into a complete story, covering idea development, research, planning, character development and, ultimately, how you can make a living as a writer – whatever your age and experience. Lee's long and unparalleled career is proof that it's never too late to get started.

35 video lessons
Course notes
  • For new writers and professionals

  • Practical advice to apply to your work

  • Self-paced, no deadlines

The course

Unlock the secrets to writing compelling fiction from the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author Lee Child. Taking a practical, career-focussed approach to writing, Lee Child is confident you will likely have already picked up everything you need to know from your many years' experience as a reader, you may just not know you know – yet! And that's where Lee comes in – to help you tap into and apply that innate knowledge. On this course, you'll discover how to switch from first-person to third-person prose without making your readers 'seasick', develop characters with depth and complexity, and learn how to find your niche and making a living as an author.

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Capture attention with your first sentence with writer, Lee Child

Your Maestro

With over 200 million copies sold worldwide and multiple awards under his belt, Lee Child is the undeniably successful author of the popular Jack Reacher book series, which have also been adapted for the screen with two blockbuster movies, as well as a new TV series on Amazon Prime. And to add to his inspirational success story, Lee Child is also living proof that it’s never too late to get started, as he only started writing at the age of 40 after being made redundant from his job.

Lessons

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Course Notes

Course notes

136 pages

A downloadable PDF full of tips, tricks, and exercises to help you apply Lee’s teachings and get you started on your next bestseller.

Course Notes

What people are saying

I like that this course is simply the writer talking about his craft, and nothing else. It's as if I were invited to his house for coffee, and he's sharing some of what he's learned over his decades of experience, candidly and honestly.

- Duncan Ros

Lee Child has practical, intuitive, and supportive advice and a unique view on "the rules" of writing which resonates with me.

- Keenan Powell

Lee Child provides great detail about his creative process, and also provides a depth of knowledge about the history and mechanics of storytelling.

- Rob Griffith

Even after writing and publishing 3 suspense novels, this is hands-down the best course on writing and mindset that I’ve ever experienced. I feel like I’m sitting across from Lee Child and he’s speaking directly to me, and he makes total sense. I only wish I’d had access to this before I struggled to write my previous books!

- Karen Dodd

The instructor is very knowledgeable and conveys relevant and essential information clearly, offering outstanding examples to support his thesis.

- Thomas Weissmuller

What an excellent course on creative fiction writing. He's a better lecturer than most of my undergrad professors. I'd recommend this course to novice or experienced writers who really want to take a chance on their writing.

- Rebecca Green

Lee is a great story teller, and he is literally leaning forward, sharing his story on how to write popular fiction. I love it.

- Art J

Lee explains things very clearly and cuts through all the industry rubbish to give you realistic essentials.

- CS Franco

Start working on your novel

Find out all the insider tips, tricks and techniques to write a bestselling novel, with one of the world’s most successful authors as your teacher. 

Learn how to write a book your readers can’t put down, and get expert insights on how to get published. 

Watch the course at your own pace, on any device, and rewatch as many times as you like. 

35 video lessons, 8 hrs
Course notes
Writing Popular Fiction

Looking to inspire the next big popular fiction author?

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Capture attention with your first sentence with writer, Lee Child