Create and Shape a Publishable Novel

Create and Shape a Publishable Novel
Course Information Page

10 weeks live tuition online

A course about what you write rather than how you write.

By the end of this course, you will have a framework for a solidly structured novel. Maybe you have a work-in-progress that you want to knock into shape, or perhaps your novel-to-be is little more than an idea in your head? Either way, this course will help you find your story's heart and shape.

About your tutor: Kath Morgan

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Make a note for 2025

When: 29 March to 14 June
Sessions: 10 x 3 hours
Day of Week: Saturday
Time:10.00am to 01.00pm
Venue: Zoom

Forum: Online
Tutor Feedback: Ongoing throughout
Price: £595

Course programme 2025

Wednesdays - 10.00am to 1.00pm

Dates

29 Mar
05 Apr
12 Apr

26 Apr
03 May
10 May
17 May

31 May
07 June
14 June

Session Focus

Week 1: Introduction to story and character
Week 2: Theme, character arch and story type
Week 3:   Different frameworks: 5 Act, 4 Act, 3 Act
- - - - - - - - - - - - BREAK - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Week 4:   The roles of the rest of the cast
Week 5:    Plotting using the 4 Act structure
Week 6: Review character arc and plan Act 1
Week 7: Review Act 1 & plan Act 2
- - - - - - - - - - - - BREAK - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Week 8: Review Act 2 & plan Act 3
Week 9: Review Act 3 & plan Act 4
Week 10: Review Act 4 and plan next steps

Each week you'll spend 3 hours with your tutor, building a plan for your novel that reflects a deep understanding of plot and story structure.

You will enjoy 24 hour access to an online Forum throughout the course, where you can post work for comment by both your tutor and your peers.

Our clients tell us the thing they most value is personal feedback on their work, and on this course, tutor feedback is integral to the entire process.

All live sessions will be recorded and sent to you to keep, so if you miss a class, or feel you'd like to go through a learning point again, you can.

It's worth noting that this is a course for novelists and a novel is a big undertaking, so we assume you are up for putting in the work. You should be prepared to do plenty of homework, on average an extra 3 to 4 hours per week. As with anything else, the more you put in, the more you'll get out.

What our clients say

I enjoyed all aspects of the course; the content was very enlightening – I now have the tools to carve out my novel; Kath’s remarks and input are always constructive and insightful.It has taken me years to finish my first book. If I had known five years ago what I know now, my novel wouldn’t have taken so long. Learning by experience and trial and error is all very well – but you do need the right tools. It always seemed like a big secret, but the course has made me understand what publishers are looking for in a well-constructed plot. Kath is a great tutor, who both encourages and challenges you as a writer. - Caroline Little

Each class will help you produce detailed pieces of a puzzle which will all come together. Their purpose becomes very clear towards the end of the course. I had done some planning myself – but not to this extent! This course has lit a fire within me that is demanding to be fed! I am writing with much more enthusiasm than I have in years. Kath Morgan has been a tremendous help and has challenged me to do what I have always wanted. - Chris Nelson

Enrol on this course

You can send us an email at contact@thewritingretreat.co.uk and we'll get back to you. We promise, we don't bite here at The Writing Retreat, not even Becks, our writing retreat dog.