Got a burning desire to write a novel but don’t know where to start? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Written by bestselling novelist and creative writing tutor, Lynne Barrett-Lee, Novel: Plan it. Write it. Sell it, will teach you the skills you need to do that, step by step.
There has never been an easier time to get your work in front of readers – just look at the millions of self-published books uploaded to Amazon. But if you want success of a commercial kind – i.e. to write a novel that will sell – then you need to take the time to learn your craft. To ask yourself questions: what are the key components every novel needs? How can you make yours unputdownable? How should you approach planning? Where’s the best place to begin? How do you create memorable characters, and build effective plots and subplots? How can you use dialogue to best effect? How should you plan your chapters? How can you make it sing? Where should you end?
But going the distance as a novelist is not just about ticking boxes. Neither is it just about talent. It’s about nailing your theme, maintaining passion, about caring for your characters. It’s also about doggedness and resilience - continuing to write even when everything feels hopeless. How exactly do you find the wherewithal to go the distance with your novel? And assuming you have, how the heck do you find an agent?
Taking you right through the novel creation process and beyond, Novel aims to guide you towards the answers that will work best for you, pointing out the pitfalls that beset so many would-be novelists, and helping you to chart a course through the entire creative process. That book burning inside you - would you prefer to see it sitting in a bookshop? Then welcome – your journey starts here.
"A fantastic, supportive course: just what I needed when I was setting out to become a professional writer. Constructive advice and feedback on what I was writing, combined with practical help on negotiating the world of markets, agents and publishers. Lynne shares her successful experience generously."
Peter Higgins
Peter Higgins' first novel, Wolfhound Century, is published by Gollancz in the UK and Orbit in the US, and in translation in France, Germany, Poland and Finland. The sequel, Truth and Fear, comes out in early 2014.
"Before Lynne’s course, I was a revved up sports car after a three gin lunch, full of ideas, ambition and passion, but prone to crashing into a central reservation of procrastination and improbability. The content of the course was the steadying hand that transformed my desire into direction and eventual publication. I owe Lynne a lifetime of three gin lunches as thanks."
Dan Tyte, author of ‘Half Plus Seven’, published by Parthian Books, spring 2014.
"Lynne's classes are fun and friendly and her expertise covers many different aspects of writing. If you can't be there in person then the chance to read her notes has to be the next best thing."
Evonne Wareham, award-winning author of romantic suspense.
There has never been an easier time to get your work in front of readers – just look at the millions of self-published books uploaded to Amazon. But if you want success of a commercial kind – i.e. to write a novel that will sell – then you need to take the time to learn your craft. To ask yourself questions: what are the key components every novel needs? How can you make yours unputdownable? How should you approach planning? Where’s the best place to begin? How do you create memorable characters, and build effective plots and subplots? How can you use dialogue to best effect? How should you plan your chapters? How can you make it sing? Where should you end?
But going the distance as a novelist is not just about ticking boxes. Neither is it just about talent. It’s about nailing your theme, maintaining passion, about caring for your characters. It’s also about doggedness and resilience - continuing to write even when everything feels hopeless. How exactly do you find the wherewithal to go the distance with your novel? And assuming you have, how the heck do you find an agent?
Taking you right through the novel creation process and beyond, Novel aims to guide you towards the answers that will work best for you, pointing out the pitfalls that beset so many would-be novelists, and helping you to chart a course through the entire creative process. That book burning inside you - would you prefer to see it sitting in a bookshop? Then welcome – your journey starts here.
"A fantastic, supportive course: just what I needed when I was setting out to become a professional writer. Constructive advice and feedback on what I was writing, combined with practical help on negotiating the world of markets, agents and publishers. Lynne shares her successful experience generously."
Peter Higgins
Peter Higgins' first novel, Wolfhound Century, is published by Gollancz in the UK and Orbit in the US, and in translation in France, Germany, Poland and Finland. The sequel, Truth and Fear, comes out in early 2014.
"Before Lynne’s course, I was a revved up sports car after a three gin lunch, full of ideas, ambition and passion, but prone to crashing into a central reservation of procrastination and improbability. The content of the course was the steadying hand that transformed my desire into direction and eventual publication. I owe Lynne a lifetime of three gin lunches as thanks."
Dan Tyte, author of ‘Half Plus Seven’, published by Parthian Books, spring 2014.
"Lynne's classes are fun and friendly and her expertise covers many different aspects of writing. If you can't be there in person then the chance to read her notes has to be the next best thing."
Evonne Wareham, award-winning author of romantic suspense.
