Novel Writing I - Start Writing Your Novel

In writing a novel, when in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns. Raymond Chandler

This is for all those who are working on a first novel, or who would like to start their first novel. Some writing experience is preferred, but is not essential.

Course objective : to study the basic principles of novel writing and advance creative writing skills. Each conference is a mixture of course notes and writing assignments.

By the end of the course it is hoped that all participants will have completed a brief plot synopsis for their intended novel, and/or a rough draft of a chapter.

orientation week Familiarisation week week 1 What's a good idea? week 2 Whose story is it? week 3 Planning week 4 Dreams week 5 Handling time: summary and scene week 6 Once upon a time, in a land far away, on a dark and stormy ... week 7 Dialogue week 8 Writing is about rewriting week 9 The novelist: the saint at the typewriter