Departing From the Arc:

NEW PATTERNS FOR FRESH STORY STRUCTURE

— with Jordan Rosenfeld —

Departing From the Arc:

NEW PATTERNS FOR FRESH STORY STRUCTURE

— with Jordan Rosenfeld—

$89.99

September 30, 2025
1:00 PM ET

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.  Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. This webinar is 90-minutes.

A copy of the webinar presentation recording will be added to your Writer's Digest University account as soon as possible after the live webinar. It may take 24-48 hours to process and post in your Writer's Digest University account.

Enroll Now

$89.99

September 30, 2025
1:00 PM ET

Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for one year. You do not have to attend the live event to get a recording of the presentation.  Attendees have the ability to chat with the instructor during the live event and ask questions. This webinar is 90-minutes.

A copy of the webinar presentation recording will be added to your Writer's Digest University account as soon as possible after the live webinar. It may take 24-48 hours to process and post to your Writer's Digest University account.

Enroll Now

About the webinar

About the webinar

Are you tired of the three-act structure, the hero’s journey, or Freytag’s pyramid—plot templates that hit the same beats over and over, making every story feel like another variation of the last? While there’s value in those classics, they’re far from the only way to tell a powerful story.

In this live webinar, you’ll explore fresh, unconventional story patterns found in published literature and learn how to craft the essential elements agents and publishers look for—tension, voice, and unforgettable plots—without falling into formula. Perfect for both novelists and memoirists, these techniques will help you shape narratives that stand out while still resonating with readers.

Publishers are always hunting for the next “new” hit—stories that capture the imagination, deliver compelling characters, and feel fresh yet universal. You won’t grab attention by rehashing the same old patterns.

Drawing inspiration from organic designs found in nature, as well as other non-traditional structures, you’ll see how risk-taking in form can still lead to commercial success. With contemporary published examples, you’ll leave with practical tools to reimagine your storytelling.

Jordan Rosenfeld, author of the bestselling Writer’s Digest craft book Make a Scene (among others), brings over twenty years of experience—and seven craft books—to her work as a writing teacher, developmental editor, and writing coach. An avid reader and deep craft analyst, she’ll guide you to step beyond your comfort zone while keeping your work aligned with traditional publishing standards.

This interactive live webinar includes plenty of time for your questions.

Meet the instructor

Jordan Rosenfeld

Jordan Rosenfeld is author of the novels Fallout, Women in Red and Forged in Grace and six books on the craft of writing, including the brand new Sound of Story: Developing Voice and Tone in Writing, How to Write a Page-Turner, the bestselling Make a Scene, Writing the Intimate Character, A Writer’s Guide to Persistence, Writing Deep Scenes and Write Free. Her freelance writing has been published in hundreds of publications, including: The Atlantic, The New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Salon, Scientific American, The Rumpus, Writer’s Digest Magazine, The Washington Post and many more. She is also a freelance manuscript editor, writing coach and teaches online classes. Jordanrosenfeld.net

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