Please note: this is an online course
Everyone has had an idea for a novel and many have a novel sitting on a hard-drive or in a desk drawer. Getting started on a novel is easy, but finishing is the hard part. Starting from your idea (and please come with an idea whether it be autobiographical or fictional), we’ll map out the blueprint for your masterpiece.
What will you be doing?
Writing a novel means making a series of decisions about things like structure, point of view, genre, setting, time and place. We’ll look at what the implications of these choices might be for your first novel. What makes a page-turner rather than a series of events, introduce you to the idea of archetypal plots, and look at the roles of pacing, hooks and conflict.
In Your First Novel, you’ll be drafting and developing ideas; learning to read as a writer and fleshing out concepts through titles and outlines. You’ll also be creating convincing characters that will excite readers. You’ll build a character, discuss successful characters, brainstorm how to develop your characters, and think about how character and plot interact – an issue that lies at the very heart of a strong narrative.
How does an online course work?
The first 30 minutes we will do a warm-up and then read the warm-up. Next, we will go over questions or concerns. Lastly, we will spend the next 45 minutes on an exercise (everyone stays online, but shuts off their camera and microphone – the teacher stays available if you have questions). The remaining 30 minutes we read the exercise, discuss how it went, and wrap-up.
