James Patterson MasterClass Review:
Easiest Way To Creative Writing?

Content and Structure of the James Patterson MasterClass

James Patterson’s MasterClass has structured video lessons no longer than 14 minutes. There are 22 lessons with an average duration of 9 minutes. You can finish his writing MasterClass in 3 hours and 31 minutes. 

There’s a 65-page class guide with many assignments in addition to the lessons. The assignments range from using your five senses to write scenes to act as one of James Patterson’s co-authors. These assignments are fun and build on what James shows throughout his MasterClass.

The following is my breakdown of James Patterson’s MasterClass. It can help you plan the course if you want to complete assignments and take your own notes before diving into a new subject.

Advice for Writers

1-5 Lessons Summary

James Patterson starts his writing MasterClass with a joke – saying ”Hi, I’m Stephen King.” He follows it up by saying his course will be jokey at times but James hopes that you will learn the tricks and traits of being a good writer.

Before teaching writing, James Patterson gives plenty of life advice to writers, encouraging beginners to believe in themselves. 

This encouragement prepares the third lesson: Raw Ideas. James Patterson gives tips on how you can tell if an idea is worthy to write a book about and ways to generate story ideas.

The next lesson in this chapter, Plot, is connected to the book ideas lesson. James goes in-depth in this lesson, teaching valuable information any thriller writer should listen carefully. He ends this section with research tips and how he incorporates it into his writing.

The Writing Process 

6-9 Lessons Summary

For James Patterson, outlines are the skeleton of a book. He dedicates the sixth and seventh lessons to writing outlines, covering what they should include and improving an outline. In this part of his MasterClass, he shares the never seen Honeymoon outline and gives examples.

Before the next chapter, James touches on writer’s block and creating characters – referring to the blank page as the enemy. He gives tips on overcoming writer’s block and encourages writers to take breaks when necessary.

You see more of James Patterson’s writing style in the last lesson while making vital points on creating a character. For James, creating a complex character is the key, whether they are the hero or the villain. He also shows how vital it is to create important secondary characters, giving Nana Mama – Alex Cross’ grandmother as an example.

Writing Dialogue, Building Chapters, and Keeping Your Reader Invested

10-14 Lessons Summary

James starts this section with the importance of the first lines. For him, the first lines give writers an advantage to pull readers into their books. James transitions to writing dialogue and explains how to reveal a character through dialogue and move the story forward.

James then teaches how to write chapters that will keep readers hooked. He gives examples of what makes a great chapter from the Women’s Murder Club series. These lessons on chapters eventually prepare you to add suspense to your dialogue to keep readers invested in your book and the main character. 

James Patterson closes this section by saying the ending is hugely important. It’s what the reader is left with and what they spread about your book. James encourages writers to think of alternate endings and choose the one that makes the most sense – his secret to writing great endings.

Editing and Publishing Your Book

15-17 Lessons Summary

James starts his editing lessons by encouraging writers to rewrite constantly. He adds that he does countless drafts and rewrites constantly to improve the story. Patterson provides tips on editing, such as removing distractions and staying positive throughout the editing process.

He then invites co-authors from his books and teaches the essentials of working with a co-author. These lessons cover finding a co-author that reflects your own work to effectively communicate with them. The format of this lesson in this chapter is excellent for anyone planning to collaborate on a book.

This chapter ends with becoming a published author by getting your first book published. James talks about his previous mistakes, sending query letters, and what publishers want from young writers.

Marketing Your Book and Closing

18-22 Lessons Summary

Although the first lesson in this section, Book Titles And Covers, is more related to finishing and publishing a book, James explains that the title and the cover are crucial parts of marketing. He says readers judge books by their covers and shares his tips while giving examples from his books.

This lesson paves the way for the marketing lesson. James talks about the use of social media, branding yourself, and advertising as means for marketing a book.

Before James shares his journey to becoming the writer he is today and closes his MasterClass with encouraging words. He also explains how books get adapted to the big screen and jokingly warns writers about Hollywood.

Fast-Track Lesson Plan

Finish James Patterson MasterClass in 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 6 seconds.

James Patterson MasterClass Student Engagement and Retention

James Patterson is an excellent teacher. My fellow students who finished his MasterClass agree on this, as well as other James Patterson MasterClass reviews. He teaches everything in a simple and friendly manner as if he’s reminiscing about his early days writing Thomas Berryman Number, his first novel.

Throughout James Patterson’s MasterClass, you will hear him cracking jokes while giving insightful advice. I never once felt bored or disconnected watching his video lessons. 

The assignments from the 65-page workbook are also engaging. Whether you’re an aspiring author or it’s been a while since you’ve started writing, you will enjoy his MasterClass as I did.

One of the best parts about James Patterson’s MasterClass is you don’t need to watch further lessons as you learn. You can make notes about his writing process, editing, and publishing, and start writing right away.