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Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling
Unleash your imagination.
Award-winning author Neil Gaiman has spent more than a quarter of a century crafting vivid, absorbing fiction. Now, the author of Stardust, Coraline, and The Sandman teaches his approach to imaginative storytelling in his online writing class. Learn how to find your unique voice, develop original ideas, and breathe life into your characters. Discover Neil’s philosophy on what drives a story—and open new windows to the stories inside you.
Award-winning author Neil Gaiman has spent more than a quarter of a century crafting vivid, absorbing fiction. Now, the author of Stardust, Coraline, and The Sandman teaches his approach to imaginative storytelling in his online writing class. Learn how to find your unique voice, develop original ideas, and breathe life into your characters. Discover Neil’s philosophy on what drives a story—and open new windows to the stories inside you.
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First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 14, 2020
I have watched Neil Gaiman’s brilliant MASTERCLASS and read its companion guidebook.
and this is an excerpt from the guidebook summarizing the class:
"Humans are fundamentally storytelling creatures.
Whether you’re talking to a friend or penning a novel, you’re using the same tools to form a connection with people, to entertain them, and to make them think differently about the world.
As a writer, Neil is an explorer. His approach to writing encompasses a broad range of storytelling skills and offers useful tools for all kinds of writers at all stages of development.
This MasterClass will give you access to Neil’s literary toolbox, which contains quite a complex collection. In the first eight chapters, you’ll cover the basics, such as developing character, creating conflict, and determining your story’s main themes and concerns. You’ll use short stories to learn about economy and backstory, but also as a way to generate a reader’s interest. Neil provides ample case studies, including comic books, that analyze character and story structure. Most of all, you’ll learn the signature aspects of Neil’s craft: how to push your story beyond a single genre or influence, how to subvert the expected, and how to weave disparate ideas into something unique and fresh.
Chapters 9 and 10 will tackle the deeply interwoven aspects of dialogue and character while Chapters 11-14 will help you build the world of your story. In Chapter 15, you'll see Neil's process for drafting stories in the comic format. The final four chapters will provide practical advice for the writer’s life—everything from editing to overcoming writer’s block.
Throughout, Neil sends a plumb line into writing’s deeper subjects—the social importance of storytelling, where inspiration comes from, and what to make of the great contradiction of using lies to reveal the truth. These questions, which lie at the center of writing, can often reveal just the right thing to the writer who has become stuck or who is looking for an evolution of their craft."
and this is an excerpt from the guidebook summarizing the class:
"Humans are fundamentally storytelling creatures.
Whether you’re talking to a friend or penning a novel, you’re using the same tools to form a connection with people, to entertain them, and to make them think differently about the world.
As a writer, Neil is an explorer. His approach to writing encompasses a broad range of storytelling skills and offers useful tools for all kinds of writers at all stages of development.
This MasterClass will give you access to Neil’s literary toolbox, which contains quite a complex collection. In the first eight chapters, you’ll cover the basics, such as developing character, creating conflict, and determining your story’s main themes and concerns. You’ll use short stories to learn about economy and backstory, but also as a way to generate a reader’s interest. Neil provides ample case studies, including comic books, that analyze character and story structure. Most of all, you’ll learn the signature aspects of Neil’s craft: how to push your story beyond a single genre or influence, how to subvert the expected, and how to weave disparate ideas into something unique and fresh.
Chapters 9 and 10 will tackle the deeply interwoven aspects of dialogue and character while Chapters 11-14 will help you build the world of your story. In Chapter 15, you'll see Neil's process for drafting stories in the comic format. The final four chapters will provide practical advice for the writer’s life—everything from editing to overcoming writer’s block.
Throughout, Neil sends a plumb line into writing’s deeper subjects—the social importance of storytelling, where inspiration comes from, and what to make of the great contradiction of using lies to reveal the truth. These questions, which lie at the center of writing, can often reveal just the right thing to the writer who has become stuck or who is looking for an evolution of their craft."
January 25, 2024
This is a good book if you're starting from scratch. It has some interesting ways of introducing the theories of writing, good if you need a refresh, but nothing revolutionary.
September 13, 2020
Bhadra 28, 2077, Sunday
Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling - Neil Gaiman (2019)
Genres: Nonfiction/ Writing
Pages: 94 (@)
Rating: 9/10
Themes: Writing/ Art of Storytelling/ Finding One’s Voice/ Dealing with Writer’s Block/ World-building/ Editing/ Writing Humor/ Script Writing/ Finding the Heart of the Story
Opener:
“I want to take you into a lot of the nuts and the bolts and the dibbers and the switches and the flashing lights and the mousetraps and the doomsday devices, and I want to walk you through that safely and have you coming out of that gloriously garbled mess of a metaphor with actually a rather better idea of how to write than you had when you started.”
Summary:
Neil Gaiman shares tips and tricks about fiction writing, takes us through his writing process and divulges ways to deal with the roadblocks and hurdles that may arise in the course of writing fiction.
Verdict:
Neil Gaiman is a certifiable genius and I don’t need to list out the works in his oeuvre. Neil Gaiman possesses magic with words that draw you in. From the first episode when he talks about Compost Heap for Writes (I loved the term and the idea of it) through to the last when he talks about the Responsibilities of a Writer (which I thought was the best episode and the one that I took the most from), it is a most glorious opportunity for any young writer (or a writer starting out) to be able to take in and jot down the pearls of wisdom that he imparts. Next to attending his classes physically, this is a wonderful way to get a glimpse inside the mind of a master of his craft. The workbook has been helpful in making me see the faults in my writing and in giving me an idea of what constitutes a more compelling fiction. Some ideas that remain with me after the classes are:
1. Read other’s work as a craftsman and your own finished work as a reader.
2. Write, write some more, sprinkle fiction with your own anecdotes, and finish what you write.
3. Go out, live your life, meet people, people of myriad professions and background because they will be reflected in your fiction.
4. Ask yourself, “What is the story about? What is the heart of your story?”
5. Enjoy the process of writing. Even if some days may be tough, there’ll be some other days when words will practically pour out from your pen; and in the end, you won’t be able to point out your bad days from your good because it will all be you, your writing.
6. The responsibility of an author is to tell the truth through your story and to entertain as many people as you can through your stories, through the things you believe, and also by allowing other points of view in.
Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling - Neil Gaiman (2019)
Genres: Nonfiction/ Writing
Pages: 94 (@)
Rating: 9/10
Themes: Writing/ Art of Storytelling/ Finding One’s Voice/ Dealing with Writer’s Block/ World-building/ Editing/ Writing Humor/ Script Writing/ Finding the Heart of the Story
Opener:
“I want to take you into a lot of the nuts and the bolts and the dibbers and the switches and the flashing lights and the mousetraps and the doomsday devices, and I want to walk you through that safely and have you coming out of that gloriously garbled mess of a metaphor with actually a rather better idea of how to write than you had when you started.”
Summary:
Neil Gaiman shares tips and tricks about fiction writing, takes us through his writing process and divulges ways to deal with the roadblocks and hurdles that may arise in the course of writing fiction.
Verdict:
Neil Gaiman is a certifiable genius and I don’t need to list out the works in his oeuvre. Neil Gaiman possesses magic with words that draw you in. From the first episode when he talks about Compost Heap for Writes (I loved the term and the idea of it) through to the last when he talks about the Responsibilities of a Writer (which I thought was the best episode and the one that I took the most from), it is a most glorious opportunity for any young writer (or a writer starting out) to be able to take in and jot down the pearls of wisdom that he imparts. Next to attending his classes physically, this is a wonderful way to get a glimpse inside the mind of a master of his craft. The workbook has been helpful in making me see the faults in my writing and in giving me an idea of what constitutes a more compelling fiction. Some ideas that remain with me after the classes are:
1. Read other’s work as a craftsman and your own finished work as a reader.
2. Write, write some more, sprinkle fiction with your own anecdotes, and finish what you write.
3. Go out, live your life, meet people, people of myriad professions and background because they will be reflected in your fiction.
4. Ask yourself, “What is the story about? What is the heart of your story?”
5. Enjoy the process of writing. Even if some days may be tough, there’ll be some other days when words will practically pour out from your pen; and in the end, you won’t be able to point out your bad days from your good because it will all be you, your writing.
6. The responsibility of an author is to tell the truth through your story and to entertain as many people as you can through your stories, through the things you believe, and also by allowing other points of view in.
November 28, 2019
Gaiman no es un autor con el que esté muy familiarizado, pero esta serie de lecciones, ejercicios y consejos me parecen de gran ayuda, ya sea para aprender a escribir ficción o sólo para leer mejor.
Con la amabilidad que lo caracteriza, Gaiman muestra que conoce bien su oficio: tanto el de escribir como el de enseñar.
Con la amabilidad que lo caracteriza, Gaiman muestra que conoce bien su oficio: tanto el de escribir como el de enseñar.
May 12, 2023
I had heard that this class was really more of Gaiman talking about his own writing. And that’s true. But there’s a lot to be learned from his own writing.
I have discovered that most good writers are terrible at telling others how to write. It’s like trying to teach someone else how to waterski, after you’ve known for years. You forget the thousand little things you have to do to make it work. Plus, most writers are “fuzzies“ not “techies“. They are good at getting the feel of how to do something, not so great at breaking it down and analyzing all the pieces.
Gaiman does, indeed, fall into this category. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from him. When you’re listening to a master who is a “fuzzy“ you have to listen very carefully. You have to follow their thought processes. And if you do that, you’ll pick up marvelous gems along the way.
Plus, who doesn’t want to listen to Neil Gaiman talk about writing?
I have discovered that most good writers are terrible at telling others how to write. It’s like trying to teach someone else how to waterski, after you’ve known for years. You forget the thousand little things you have to do to make it work. Plus, most writers are “fuzzies“ not “techies“. They are good at getting the feel of how to do something, not so great at breaking it down and analyzing all the pieces.
Gaiman does, indeed, fall into this category. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from him. When you’re listening to a master who is a “fuzzy“ you have to listen very carefully. You have to follow their thought processes. And if you do that, you’ll pick up marvelous gems along the way.
Plus, who doesn’t want to listen to Neil Gaiman talk about writing?
May 17, 2020
“We’re using memorable lies. We are taking people who do not exist and things that did not happen to those people, in places that aren’t, and we are using those things to communicate true things.” - Neil Gaiman
This is the workbook to Neil Gaiman's online writing class, but I'm talking about the whole thing here. I love this workbook, and I love the whole writing class. I have listened to all the lessons and read the workbook, but I'm still planning to work more on the writing exercises etc., so I'll be back with a review later.
I can already say that I like this writing class a lot, though. The lessons I have taken so far (1-6) have been inspiring, and I've gotten some great tips. Some of the things Gaiman talks about in the workbook and in the videos might be obvious to others, but it's all helpful to me. He’s a great teacher, in the way that he draws us in, uses his beautiful words, and feelings and stories, to sneak the knowledge in. I love his anecdotes, too. The music and the art in the videos and in the workbook is beautiful and feels very right.
This is the workbook to Neil Gaiman's online writing class, but I'm talking about the whole thing here. I love this workbook, and I love the whole writing class. I have listened to all the lessons and read the workbook, but I'm still planning to work more on the writing exercises etc., so I'll be back with a review later.
I can already say that I like this writing class a lot, though. The lessons I have taken so far (1-6) have been inspiring, and I've gotten some great tips. Some of the things Gaiman talks about in the workbook and in the videos might be obvious to others, but it's all helpful to me. He’s a great teacher, in the way that he draws us in, uses his beautiful words, and feelings and stories, to sneak the knowledge in. I love his anecdotes, too. The music and the art in the videos and in the workbook is beautiful and feels very right.
February 10, 2020
This is the companion book to Neil Gaiman's Masterclass on The Art of Storytelling. The class itself was fantastic, and the guidebook lived up to the same expectations. Neil has amazing tips for improving yourself as a writer and for growing as a storyteller in general. I loved this class. I will be going back to this guidebook in the future as a super important tool in my writing toolbox.
September 4, 2019
It's Neil Gaiman teaching you how to write stories. I think I'm ready to write six books now. You know how everyone can suddenly see the obvious after the artist points it out? That's kind of like how this is.
May 2, 2023
So, so, so good!!!! I took pages and pages and pages of notes, most of which are for sheer encouragement’s sake. Yes, I learned things, but even more, I was deeply INSPIRED by each lesson. That’s hard to find. ❤️
December 19, 2020
A bunch of boring, self centered rants don't make no master-class.
April 12, 2021
So glad Neil did this project. It was good.
February 15, 2026
Nothing really new to me, after reading so many other books on the craft of writing... but it's always a pleasure to read and listen to Neil Gaiman.
October 22, 2022
A conversational book in which Gaiman teaches what writing a book is like, and how you can do it too.
Written and narrated by Neil Gaiman. In this book he essentially talks us through the proces of writing a book, the pitfall that exist and the many (mis)conceptions that exist on the topic. Gaiman's premise is that all humans are storytellers and that we already do this in everyday life. With a thoughtful touch on what to write about, how to find inspiration and the kind of context to place these kind of questions in.
In all this was a relaxing and enjoyable read.
Written and narrated by Neil Gaiman. In this book he essentially talks us through the proces of writing a book, the pitfall that exist and the many (mis)conceptions that exist on the topic. Gaiman's premise is that all humans are storytellers and that we already do this in everyday life. With a thoughtful touch on what to write about, how to find inspiration and the kind of context to place these kind of questions in.
In all this was a relaxing and enjoyable read.
January 26, 2020
A wonderful yet brief look into Neil Gaiman's views on storytelling. The lessons are simple, compelling and memorable. I think I might be sold on comic books now. We'll see.
Very calming, btw.
Very calming, btw.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews