Introduction to Novel Writing Workshop

What you'll learn

Improve your work skills by learning the techniques of writing a novel through our writing short courses online and in Sydney!

This introductory workshop is designed to get you started on your novel-writing journey with information and strategies to help you achieve your writing goals. 

This workshop will give you an introduction to the art and craft of novel writing with an overview of the tools and techniques required to develop, research and write a novel. We will focus on three main pillars of novel writing: developing and researching your idea, creating compelling characters, and exploring the key elements of story structure. Short readings, film clips, and writing exercises will help illustrate key areas and allow participants to put their ideas into practice. Students will also discover tips to help them to set and maintain their writing goals.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Novel Writing workshop, you should be able to:

• Understand how to develop your ideas and world-building
• Understand how to create compelling characters, creating internal and external conflict and the importance of dialogue
• Recall the key elements of story structure and how to maintain the narrative drive
• Understand the tools necessary to start and maintain a good writing practice

Course content

What will be covered in this Novel Writing workshop?

How to develop your idea and world building

• Planning your novel and taking your story idea from premise to synopsis
• Practical tools to developing and researching your novel
• What genre is your novel? Whether its romance, thriller, comedy or fantasy, you’ll gain an understanding of the different genres and their conventions by looking at comparative titles in the book market
• Starting to write, understanding what kind of writer you are and building on your strengths
• World Building and establishing sense of place

Creating compelling characters, building internal and external conflict, and the importance of dialogue

• A process for creating three-dimensional characters
• Essentials of character building through research e.g.: first-hand accounts, diaries, research skills and interviewing people to create convincing characters
• Point of view and helping find the character’s voice
• Examining character arcs and ensuring character development through internal and external conflicts

Recognising the key elements of story structure and the best structure for your novel

• Getting the engine running; the first 50 pages or three chapters of your book is the most important, and it’s also a chance to prove your story idea to yourself
• Shaping your novel
• Exploring other texts to understand plot, obstacles and narrative arcs
• How to maintain the narrative drive

Understanding the tools necessary to start and maintain a good writing practice

• Setting and maintaining writing goals, best practices and useful tools and recommended resources to help with your writing goals - while ensuring your writing journey is fun and creatively fulfilling!

Intended audience

Who is this Novel Writing workshop for?

This workshop is for aspiring and emerging writers who may or may not have started a project and written some of their draft. It is also suitable for well-read beginners, and anyone enthusiastic and interested in how to write a novel.

Course materials

What to bring to class

Notebook and pen for notetaking

Additional information

Please note:

Resources will be recommended during the session and students are encouraged to do the following reading beforehand. Reading list tbc.