A NOVEL APPROACH - The Novel Writer’s MOT
(See the Diary for course dates.)
This weekend course is designed specifically for those who are either thinking of writing a novel, or who have already begun but would love some professional help.
The course includes:
- Four workshops, presented by two of our authors over two days
- One to one sessions where you will be given personal feedback on your own work by one of our two resident authors
- Full board (single or double rooms) from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon at Mellstock House on the edge of Exmoor.
The maximum number of people on the course will be 12.
Cost: £295.00
(If a block booking is made for 4 or more people to attend this course there will be a discount of approximately 15% bringing the cost down to £250 per person)
Contact us at Creative Writing Courses for details on how to book.
Day 1
First Workshop: Where to Begin?
Starting with a workshop session in the morning for the whole group, tackling the tricky problem of How to Begin your Novel. It’s harder than you might think!
The session will include examples, games, discussion and advice and will be an invaluable aid in getting your novel off to a good start.
Second workshop: Losing the Plot?
Your novel is going like clockwork, characters coming alive, descriptive passages bringing the background alive, when suddenly you realise: You’ve lost the plot! The whole thing is sagging in the middle.
This group workshop will help you get back on track. You will be encouraged to write a Chapter Breakdown to show you where your plotting is at its weakest; this will help you to begin each chapter on a hook and to end it on a cliff-hanger (or at least, something intriguing to keep your reader turning the pages).
One to one sessions
An integral part of this course is that you will have a unique opportunity to have any part of your novel appraised by an experienced author who will then go through her report with you in a One-to-One private session.
Once you enrol for the course you will be able to submit a 5,000 word mss for assessment. Each writer will then be allocated a time slot during the two day course where you will meet with the author for an in depth discussion of your submitted mss.
Day 2
First Workshop: Meat on the Bones
How can you improve tension, raise suspense, create more rounded characters? Are there any techniques and tips out there to help you attract attention from agents and publishers? In this workshop we will look at all those features that can turn an ordinary novel in to one with the potential to get published.
Second Workshop: Downhill all the Way
How to keep your book going! Maintaining the momentum of your novel through to the very end can prove tricky. This group workshop will show you how to fill the pages without boring the reader or breaking into a gallop. You will leave with fresh ideas to keep you writing.