---

Maybe you think you know what a story is, and you have good reason to: years of reading, writing, perhaps even teaching. But what if the foundational assumptions you carry about story are actually holding you back?

That’s the question at the heart of this class.

Most writers have been told that a story is “something with a beginning, a middle, and an end.” But so does a description of a chair. So does a shopping list. What really is a story? Time and again, writers who think they’re writing stories are actually writing reports. And that comes, in part, from following the three-act (or four-act or five-act) structure.

The three-act structure simply describes the temporal movement of a story, but doesn’t address at all the essential elements of a story. It also gives writers the impression that stories are about a progression of events and not a collision of desires. And that is a huge distinction.

There is a better way of understanding story—one that doesn’t depend on the number of (or nature of) acts. It works with any genre, any length, and will help rethink and reshape every scene in your novel. There are four elements to all stories and two additional elements to all great stories. Learning from them and beginning to include them in each and every scene can improve your writing dramatically.

This class, taught by national bestselling author and veteran fiction instructor Steven James, will help you rethink story and improve every scene you write. The concepts in this class are not simply esoteric or theoretical ideas, but practical, easy-to-apply tips, tricks, and lessons gleaned from tens of thousands of hours of writing, editing, and rewriting, and more than two decades of experience teaching writers at every level.

Rethinking story from the ground up might be the best thing you can do for your fiction. It will transform your writing forever. This class will show you how. You’ll learn:

• What a story truly is (it might surprise you), how it differs from plot, and how to shape better stories, starting today
• How to avoid action without intention, and why it matters
• How to move beyond three-act structure and avoid the dreaded “sagging middle” of your story
• 5 aspects of characterization that add value to your characters.
• What a “pivot” is and why every scene needs one
• Why pursuit matters more than plot—and how plot sometimes gets in the way of story
• How causality affects the movement of every action, the progression of every scene, and the emergence of every twist
• 3 realms of struggle in stories, and why there is no such thing as a “character-driven” or “plot-driven” story
• Disadvantages of “character arcs” and how to overcome them
• The difference between conflict and struggle, and why you should avoid introducing conflict and depend on struggles instead for narrative propulsion

Special materials you’ll receive

• Detailed handout containing 36 questions that will help improve every scene of your story

Who this class is for

This course is designed for all fiction writers and screenwriters, especially those who’ve been told that a story is “something with a beginning, a middle, and an end.” In addition:

• Authors who know something isn’t working in a scene but can’t tell what it might be
• Writers who want to pinpoint plot weaknesses in their work and address them
• Writers looking for a deeper understanding of how a story differs from a report and rises above plot
• Novelists and short story writers hoping to save time and write more resonant stories

This class is not suited for

• Essayists
• Poets
• Children’s picture book writers

What you’ll receive

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology. You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
• Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Pacific Time
• Fee: $25 through June 28, 2026 / $35 if you register after June 28, 2026

The webinar is broadcasted via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service, which is about 80%+ accurate.

Refund policy

If you attend the live class and/or watch the recording, and it does not meet your expectations, contact us for a full refund, no questions asked.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.