Genre Writing
Action (includes Action Adventure)
Action stories thrive on momentum, danger, and high stakes. This certificate program explores pacing, physical conflict, escalating tension, and cinematic scene construction. Learn how to craft adrenaline-driven narratives that keep readers turning pages.
Courses
Building an Action Adventure Series Readers Can’t Quit
A.M. Adair, Baron R. Birtcher, Jim Nesbitt, Michael Lucker, Richard Meredith, and S. Lee Manning break down the building blocks of a great action adventure story. Topics include pacing, handling violence responsibly, developing strong characters, and shaping a series arc that keeps readers coming back for more.
How to Write Action That Hits Hard and Stays Human
Baron R. Birtcher, Nellie Neeman, Richard Meredith, Rodney Syler, Sonja Dewing, and T.M. Clark dig into what makes action adventure impossible to put down. They explore pacing, danger, heroes and villains, and the moral choices characters face under pressure, showing how to balance nonstop action with emotional weight and memorable characters.
Manfiction: Defining Action-Driven Fiction
Andrew Grant, Andrew Kaplan, John Gilstrap, Leonard Rosen, and Max Allan Collins take on the question of what “manfiction” really means. Through lively debate, they examine how themes of heroism, danger, and moral code shape this style of storytelling and why it continues to resonate with readers.
What Makes Action Adventure Work
Charles Kowalski, Dale T. Phillips, Kathryn Lane, Margaret Mizushima, Phil Ribera, and Stacy Allen explore what defines the action adventure genre and why it works so well. They discuss how to create fast moving plots, sustained tension, and characters who drive the story forward with urgency and purpose.