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Starting Your Novel
A 10-Week Workshop On Zoom with Louise Tucker
Have you always wanted to write a novel, but never had the time? Or, perhaps, you have an idea for a book but don’t know how to find your voice? If you have ever wanted to tell a story, but not known where to begin, this course is for you. It will kick-start your book, giving you the confidence to find and shape an idea, write a first draft and learn the steps required to take an idea from draft to publication.
Through reading and writing exercises, and by exploring books, films and songs, the weekly lessons will help you find your creative voice, build a writing habit that works with your daily life and develop that vague idea in your head into something real on the page. Take the first steps towards writing your novel in this encouraging and engaging workshop.
Time: Wednesdays 6.30-8.30pm Dates: September 21st - November 23rd
Online via Zoom. Course limited to 12 participants. Fee: £295
PLUS an optional live reading event at Ink@84 Books on November 30th for friends and family!
A unique opportunity to experience the professional writer's life in a warm and authentic setting!
'Louise was a fantastic instructor, and the class was everything I hoped for!'
- Tracy
'Really well structured and
paced. Louise gave fantastic, realistic, practical advice and managed the group dynamic really well so everyone
felt heard.' - Jo
Course Structure:
Week 1: What’s your story and why are you here? Routines and discipline: finding the time to write.
Week 2: Inspiration: how to discover and develop ideas, and when to abandon them.
Week 3: Why you should start at the end, not the beginning. How to choose a genre.
Week 3: Who’s telling the story and why. Point of view and narrative voice.
Week 4: Characters and why they matter more than plot. Using dialogue to bring them to life.
Week 5: Three-act structure: how to plot and build a story. Using a beatsheet.
Week 6: What’s it all about, Alfie? Theme and pitch.
Week 7: Learning how to move a story on, improve the pace and self-edit.
Week 8: Workshop on first chapters.
Week 9: Workshop on first chapters.
Week 10: What’s next: how to sell your book to agents and publishers
'Enormous fun...the diversity and quality of comments was terrific; it was exactly what I needed.’
- Andrew
'I've done other writing classes before but I've never had as good an experience as this. I feel completely galvanised not only to finish this one but to write books forever.’ - Ben
Objectives:
This course will give you the confidence to turn your idea into a novel.
We aim to help you:
• find your voice and develop a writing habit that works for you
• hone an initial concept and find the heart of your story
• develop your ideas, characters, structure, dialogue and setting
• plan, shape and develop a draft
• edit your own work and that of others; learn how giving and receiving feedback is essential
• submit 1–3 chapters (depending on length) of your novel for group discussion and feedback
• receive clear practical guidance about how to submit a novel to agents and publishers
• develop your writing confidence in a supportive, encouraging and fun environment
'You and the group have
lifted my last six months and really given me something to aim for and a completely new challenge...I could never have believed this would have worked so well on Zoom.
- Demelza
'I have got so much out of it and feel I have made more progress in six months than I have in the many years (more than I care to admit) I’ve been trying to do this. Great group, great ideas, great teacher.’ - Bella
About The Tutor:
Dr Louise Tucker is an editor, lecturer and writer. She has twenty years’ experience in commercial publishing (working at HarperCollins, Bloomsbury and Granta) and now edits part-time. She has taught writing at Goldsmiths and publishing at London Metropolitan University and was a reader for the Costa Short Story Award throughout its existence. In the last few years she has written her first novel and in 2022 it was shortlisted for The Bath Novel Award and the Cheshire Novel Prize.
Read What Our Students Say About This Course:
‘Fantastic workshop that has helped me pull my idea together, given me the tools to approach it professionally and the confidence to believe that I will see it through to a complete piece of work. If you are serious about wanting to write a novel, you couldn’t get a better start.’ Arabella
'As a complete beginner I started the course with only a vague idea of a novel and have left with a plan of action and have made a start on my novel. The group worked really well together and it was inspirational hearing everyone's stories. The weekly two-hour sessions went so quickly and after each week I felt I had learned more skills to help me on my way! Louise is extremely knowledgeable and an excellent teacher with a magical mix of facts and fun and made us all feel inspired with our stories. I can’t wait to do another course with her and my group if possible as we all bonded so well.’ Demelza
‘Louise was a fantastic instructor, and the class was everything I hoped for! The in-class activities and her insight into the literary industry were invaluable. Also, I was able to learn from like-minded classmates and incorporate their critiques into my work. I highly recommend this class.’ Tracy
‘I suppose the best recommendation for Louise’s workshop, “Starting the Novel”, is that I’d love for it to continue. I thought Louise’s insights were incredibly spot-on and useful. The exercises helped at any stage the class members happened to be in— whether they hadn’t put a word to the page, or had written numerous chapters already. Having the class as a whole give feedback on the work was also invaluable. Getting a range of views from thoughtful, engaged individuals encouraged the writing process in a supportive and effective way. Thanks so much, Louise for offering this exceptional course.’ Patty
‘Really well structured and paced. Louise gave fantastic, realistic, practical advice and managed the group dynamic really well so everyone felt heard (or so it seemed to me, anyway). I felt like I really got a lot out of it. Practical, insightful, inspiring and very fun!’ Jo
‘I had enormous fun on the Ink@84 course. Part of the attraction for me was the very different stories that we were allowed to visit and the insights provided by you and all the other participants, were invaluable. The diversity and quality of comments was terrific; it was exactly what I needed.’ Andrew
‘Being immersed in this class and writing this year has been a total escape. I've done other writing classes before but I've never had as good an experience as this. I feel completely galvanised not only to finish this one but to write books forever.’ Ben
‘Louise's writing course has provided a brilliant escape during lockdown. The group discussions have shaped my story and I have established a daily writing routine. I've gone from complete beginner to a plot, structure, characters and 10 thousand words in just 10 weeks...’ Geri
‘The “Starting your Novel” was great fun and I learned a lot. The first session was packed with enormously practical information and subsequent sessions allowed for sharing of work, which was always encouraging. Throughout, we benefitted from Louise’s considerable experience as a writer, teacher, publisher - and world traveller. Thank you, Louise for your supportive tutoring.’ Lesley
‘I love learning new things and being part of a course to develop creative skills so when I saw that Ink@84 was doing a writers course I signed up immediately to have a day a week where I could be part of a group of people on the same mission. I liked working with Louise as she was conducting the sessions with ease. She was listening and taking notes when the group shared their stories and questions. She was always coming with advice, sharing her own experience and sharing insight from other sources and writers. Every week we went through different parts of building a manuscript. The group was just the right size so we could all take part, get to know eachother a little bit better and get to discuss our ideas. I wish this would continue in one form or another as having a writers’ group really make the writing flow!’ Cecilie
‘Thank you Louise and the rest of our lovely writing class. It has indeed been a complete pleasure to be in your company for the past six months. I have got so much out of it and feel I have made more progress in six months than I have in the many years (more than I care to admit) I’ve been trying to do this. Great group, great ideas, great teacher.’ Bella
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