The best writing partners you could ever have!

From the first spark of an idea to a polished manuscript, Dara and Deb will not only help you write a better story, but they’ll help you become a stronger, more confident writer.

What’s inside Inside Story

Our seven-part course goes beyond storytelling fundamentals; it’s designed to make the creative process inspiring, relatable, and actionable. Each session begins with a dynamic, visually rich lecture by master teacher Dara Marks. Renowned worldwide for her seminars and bestselling book, Inside Story, Dara goes beyond conventional story structure, offering insights that inform, enlighten, and resonate on a deeply human level.

Getting it on the page

To develop a true understanding of story, it’s essential to take action and put theory into practice. Following each of Dara’s inspiring lectures, acclaimed story coach Deb Norton leads you through an engaging, hands-on workshop. Each session is crafted not only to move your story forward but also to equip you with a personal set of writing techniques and practices that will continue to guide and inspire your lifelong creative journey.

In this course you’ll learn to:

  • Build dynamic story structure from the inside out.

  • Craft stories that resonate and leave a lasting impact.

  • Develop character arcs that reflect authentic human experience.

  • Explore the shadowy depths to design compelling antagonists.

  • Infuse your story with thematic depth and resonance.

  • Create powerful imagery and strong, honest dialogue.

Class One – THE POWER OF THE PLOT

A compelling Plot ignites and fuels the fire that drives your story forward.

LECTURE: Learn to craft a Plot that:

  • Creates intense, external conflicts.

  • Establishes clear goals and high stakes, sustaining narrative tension.

  • Skillfully handles multiple, interwoven storylines.

WORKSHOP: Build essential story elements to define and clarify your Plot, sparking gripping conflict and momentum.

Take a peek inside the course

Class Two – CHARACTER COUNTS

Craft unique, memorable characters that build a profound connection with your audience.

LECTURE: Learn to develop multidimensional characters who:

  • Balance both form (design) and function (purpose).

  • Challenge the protagonist with life-defining obstacles.

  • Embody a Character Arc that reflects universal human experiences.

WORKSHOP: Bring your characters to life using techniques that ignite conflict and reveal the emotional core of your story.

Class Three – UNEARTHING THEMATIC GOLD

Theme is the unifying force that binds characters and plot into a compelling, unforgettable narrative.

LECTURE: Learn to craft powerful themes that:

  • Infuse your story with depth and purpose.

  • Engage audiences on a profound emotional level.

  • Elevate your writing, sparking ongoing inspiration and insight.

WORKSHOP: Explore how to harness Theme as a guiding compass to shape, refine, and interweave every element of your story.

Class Four – THE FATAL FLAW: BRINGING CHARACTERS TO LIFE

The Fatal Flaw introduces layers of internal conflict that drive your protagonist’s growth.

LECTURE: Discover how to unlock storytelling depths that:

  • Transform thematic values into rich character evolution.

  • Reveal profound emotional dimensions within your narrative.

  • Forge a resonant, human connection with your audience.

WORKSHOP: Dive into your protagonist's past, unpack their complexities, and create powerful imagery that captivates, moves, and resonates with your audience.

Class Five – ACT I: HOOK, THRILL, AND CAPTIVATE

Act One establishes intense conflicts that propel the protagonist into action, setting the stage for an exhilarating journey.

LECTURE: Learn to craft a powerful storytelling framework that:

  • Captivates your audience with layered, compelling conflicts.

  • Blends high-stakes action with rich character development.

  • Elevates subplots to create meaningful emotional connections.

WORKSHOP: Define your central conflicts, transforming them into compelling action and vivid imagery that launch your story with impact.

Class Six – ACT II: TURNING UP THE HEAT

Discover how the Second Act propels the story forward, raising the stakes and intensifying momentum.

LECTURE: Master the craft of a high-impact Second Act that:

  • Heightens tension with pivotal, game-changing twists.

  • Drives the protagonist through deep internal struggles.

  • Supercharges the story with impactful Turning Points.

WORKSHOP: Develop advanced techniques to fuse Theme and Character, bringing dynamic energy to this traditionally challenging Plot section.

Class Seven – ACT III: LEAVE 'EM WANTING MORE!

In the Third Act, every twist, tumble, and triumphant reversal converges in a powerful Climax.

LECTURE: Master the art of an unforgettable Third Act that:

  • Builds relentless suspense, driving the plot to a riveting conclusion.

  • Drives emotionally charged character transformations.

  • Reaches a striking Climax that resonates far beyond the final page.

WORKSHOP: With expert guidance, seamlessly integrate all story elements, crafting a unified and gripping finale that leaves a lasting impression.

“Before the course, I could write.
Now I can fly.”

Is this course for you?

  •  Aspiring writers looking to start their first project

  • Experienced authors seeking to deepen their understanding of story structure

  • Screenwriters aiming to create more impactful scripts

  • Anyone fascinated by the power of narrative in human communication

“Awesome, extraordinary, and

both mind- and career-changing.

Transformed my writing and continues to guide me.”

Anthony J. Giunta

Level up your writing. For good.

Inside Story Writing Program

$1,050

reg. price

$1,500

Once you buy the course, you’ll have lifetime access so you can take it as many times as you like, for as many writing projects as you need.

Use code WRITER30 to claim your launch discount.

People love Inside Story.

  • ★★★★★

    “Simply put, Inside Story blew me away! It's about going deeper into your stories beyond just the outer action to unify plot, character and theme into a whole. It's about applying knowledge you already know in order to craft richer, more emotionally resonant stories that people will want to discuss long after the credits roll. Whether you're writing a teen sex comedy, a mainstream horror script, a branded web series or a novel, I'm confident you'll find value in Inside Story.”

  • ★★★★★

    “Marks provides a breathtakingly practical approach to some of the thorniest elements of storytelling- elements that before her seemed beyond formal analysis and resistant to practical solutions.”

    Alex Pogel

  • ★★★★★

    “Dara's insight, intelligence and knowledge of her craft provided invaluable advice allowing me to further understand what I had written, where I had to make changes and why. As a result of her expertise, that script was signed to an independent company and made into a movie.

    "Inside Story" gave me back my passion because it taught me to think, see, feel and hear with a clearer understanding and knowledge of how to tell a story.”

    Bill Johnston

  • ★★★★★

    Writers of character-driven pieces will feel like Marks is speaking directly to them but, for action-adventure writers, understanding the inside story could make the difference between a flop and a franchise. I would recommend this to beginners (the sooner you grasp Marks' message the better off you'll be) but also to friends who've been writing and writing well for years. Its lessons offer an opportunity to take any script to a new level.

    Nancy Hendrickson

  • ★★★★★

    IMPRESSIVE!!!  Clearly the writer's bible!

    Kate Riley

  • ★★★★★

    Inside Story delves deeply below the surface of story explaining the difficult concepts that others skim over lightly.

    Tom Ball

Questions? We’ve got you covered.

  • Our course is uniquely tailored to help each writer hone a technique that suits their personal style and strengths. Whether you're just starting out or polishing a draft, this training program will push your writing to new levels. Beginners will learn to turn creative ideas into solid choices that shape and define their story, while experienced writers will gain advanced tools to refine their narrative and uncover deeper, more impactful themes.

  • Absolutely. The fundamental idea behind Inside Story is that all narratives, regardless of genre or medium, reflect the human experience — it's the universal story we all know. Once you grasp the fundamental patterns and functions of storytelling, you’ll find it easier to express the story you’re inspired to tell. This applies to scripts for stage, screen, fiction, memoir, non-fiction, and even gaming narratives or web videos. At its core, it’s all storytelling.

  • Our program is designed for you to work at your own pace. The course consists of seven interconnected classes that guide you through the entire process of developing a complete narrative. You can choose to move through the course swiftly, using both lectures and experiential exercises to outline your project, or you may choose to take a more gradual approach, writing your full manuscript as you go. The time you dedicate each week depends entirely on your own schedule, but with this course as your guide, you’ll be able to stay focused, connected, and inspired every time you sit down to write.

  • No prerequisites are required but having a writing project will help you get the most out of the course. Just like learning a new skill, practice is key to growth. Dara’s insightful lectures and Deb’s engaging exercises are designed to stimulate your creativity as you apply the techniques to your own work. Whether you’re refining a story idea or just starting with a small spark, using the course in this way will deepen your understanding of the creative writing process. However, you are free to go at your own pace and tailor the course to your personal needs.

  • This course is a powerful remedy for overcoming writer's block. Deb Norton's innovative techniques gently help quiet the inner critic, freeing writers from perfectionism and allowing their creativity to flow without fear or self-doubt. The practical tools and techniques gained throughout the course will not only help in your current creative endeavors but will also provide lasting solutions for navigating future creative challenges with confidence.

  • Once you purchase the course, you own it. It is yours to access anytime and anywhere through an internet connection.

  • Your course can be accessed from any phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. We recommend using an internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps.

  • We are always here to help. If you run into a technical issue while working on the course, simply click your name in the top right corner of your screen and you will see a “support” option on the menu. This will provide you with a direct email link to us and we’ll take it from there…