Jumpstart Your Novel

What does it take to write a novel? Maybe you have an idea but don’t know what to write, or maybe you’ve written dozens of pages but suddenly feel stuck. What do you need in order to keep showing up to the page?

“Apart from knowing novel-specific craft elements such as dramatic development, plot, character, and point of view,” instructor Shelby Hinte says, “we need to fall in love with what we’re writing. Then we’ll be moved by our desire to return to the page over and over again.” 

During the first part of this course, we’ll cover essential craft elements and develop a craft-focused writing practice that suits our own unique novel writing pursuits. We’ll ask questions like: 

• Is my idea a good enough premise for a book? 
• Who’s my narrator anyway? 
• What’s my point of view and how do I know if I’m doing it right? 

Then, in the final weeks, we’ll shift to a more intensive writing practice where we’ll hunt down our novel’s big questions and emotional dilemmas, building the energy and curiosity to sustain the writing. We’ll receive feedback on our writing efforts from Shelby and the group, and we’ll discuss strategies for seeing a novel through to the end.  

“The goal of this course is to indulge our desires, to experience writing less like plodding work and more like a love affair,” Shelby says. “You’ll come away with a much deeper sense of fundamental craft elements, with new pages and new writing habits, and a plan for continuing to work on your novel.”

About The Writing Salon's Online Zoom Classes

You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.