The Key to Writing Your First Book: A Step by Step Novel Designing Workshop

Have you started writing a story but keep getting stuck and don't know why?  Did you know that most well known authors design their novel before ever writing their first word?  If you'd like to get your story ideas organized and into a fleshed out book, then this fast paced workshop will give you the tools and knowledge you need to outline your entire story before going any further.  Once you have the key to your novel blueprint (your outline), the writing will come much more easily because you'll already know your story works and will have a roadmap of where it is going!  (Please note that this workshop moves super quickly so if you'd like the same information in a slower paced format, please see my on-going novel writing class which is more tailored to each individual writer's pace.)

Week One:  Starting With Basics When Designing a Novel

Day One:  Steps 1 & 2
We will discuss the two most common types of writers and why one type tends to be more successful.  Students will learn why a novel needs to be designed first and how we can create a blueprint for it.  The purpose of the first day will be to start organizing our thoughts.  We will also briefly discuss the three act structure since it is connected to the second step.  Learners will discuss the ideas they have and will then be given time to start working on the exercises that accompany each step.  (Learners can continue to think about and work on the exercises outside of class if they'd like.   While one hour is recommended for the exercises, some learners may need more time while others may get it done rather quickly depending on how much they already know about their story.)

Day Two: Step 3
Character Design: We are going to learn how to flesh out the main characters.  Characters are what drive a story and the extra time invested into designing them will be well worth it! 

Day Three:  Step 4
Story Design: This is the fun part where we will be expanding on our ideas and, more specifically, the conflict!  One hour is recommended for the exercise given but every writer is different so some may need a few days to finish while others may move more quickly.

Week Two:  Getting Up Close and Personal With Your Novel

Day Four: Step 5
Character Synopsis:  We will now be meeting ALL the characters in your novel as well as working on many more details for your major characters.  A couple days are recommended for this exercise so what isn't finished in class can be worked on in the time before our next class.  Please be assured that there is no pressure to finish in a certain amount of time!  This workshop is very fast paced as it's a lot of information in only six days  so learners don't need to feel they have to finish it all.  It is unlikely they will be able to finish all the exercises but it's alright as this workshop is simply meant to help them get started and give them the tools to finish when they can.

Day Five: Step 6
Story Synopsis:  We will be expanding on our summary and creating a four page synopsis for the novel as well as discussing why this is such a vital step in designing a novel.  A week is recommended for this step but due to this being a fast paced workshop, learners can alway go back to this step after the workshop ends to continue working on this exercise.

Day Six:  Steps 7 & 8 
We will discuss how to make a scene list for your novel and why this is necessary.  We will also take a little time to discuss issues such as writer's block as well as some pros and cons of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing.  

The specific & detailed steps which I will be implementing in this class were originally created by a physicist turned author and I've found it a huge game changer in my own writing.  There are dozens of methods on the internet and a plethora of books written about how to write a novel but after years of trial and error and trying different methods, I feel this one is a keeper!  (I've made a couple tweaks to it but if you'd like the original steps, let me know and during class, I can show you the extra step that I took out.)  It is super helpful in organizing one's ideas and getting from the idea to an actual outline for a book.  I have used it personally for a few of my novels and it has really enriched my own stories and characters!

Commonly Asked Questions:

I've already started writing my novel.  Will this method still work?
Absolutely.  I have used this method for novels I'd already begun myself and it greatly helped me to find direction in my stories.  While it did make me go back and change some things, it made my story so much better and enabled me to continue it with renewed energy!  I now use this method for beginning fresh stories but I definitely recommend it for novels that have already been started as well.  

I don't like outlining.  Why can't I just start writing?
While many prefer to simply write rather than outline, the reality is that sooner or later you will get stuck or will find the story lacks direction.  Without planning done beforehand, it will also be much harder to weave in themes throughout the book or have rich character development.  There also may be a greater risk for plot holes or things that simply "don't make sense".  By planning your novel in advance, you save yourself a lot of time in the long run by not needing as many revisions.

I'd really like to take this class with my friend.  Can we take this course together?
Yes, while this class is set to 1:1 by default, feel free to let me know if you and your friends would like to do a group class of two or more people.  You can message me for details.  

Don't see a day/time that works for you?  Feel free to message me with any day/time requests!