Writing the Novel: Getting to the First Draft

Writing novels can seem like a mystical process. Write every day, and a novel will appear. The work can feel isolating and disorienting, particularly for a writer’s first book, like stumbling around in the dark. This 16-week course is designed to prepare writers for every stage of the novel writing process from beginning the first draft to finding an agent/editor once the manuscript is complete. The purpose of this course is two-fold: to discuss the novel-writing process and to create a community of writers working alongside one another. Students will leave the course well on their way to a first draft of a novel and a clear understanding of what comes next. Though this class is craft/discussion based, there will be a moments to share work and receive feedback from the class.

For fiction writers who are at an intermediate level and beyond.

Course Schedule

Weeks 1 – 4: How to Begin? The first four weeks will be a look at how other writers begin their first drafts. Some writers may prefer to outline before writing the first page. Others work by discovering the story as they write it. We’ll discuss how to carve out time and create the space necessary to write a book. There’ll be lots of generative writing exercises and lots of room for discussion.

Weeks 5 – 8: Getting Across the Finish Line. Often, writers can get stuck revising and editing the first hundred pages before the first draft is ever complete. We’ll work through how to move past common creativity jams in first drafts. The goal is not to finish a perfect first draft but to finish a first draft that can be made perfect.

Weeks 9 – 12: Sculpting the Block of Marble. Once a first draft is completed, the real work begins. In this section, the focus will be on how to outline, rewrite, and revise the novel. Students will receive tools so the process can be as efficient and effective as possible.

Weeks 13 – 16: What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The last four weeks will look at what comes after completing a tight, edited novel. Topics include: incorporating notes from beta readers and editors, finding the right agent/editor for your work, and what to expect in the year up to publication.

Emme is very knowledgeable, engaging and an excellent communicator and motivator. She treated all of us with the utmost respect for our work and made us feel able to succeed. – student, Fall 2023

Access Program
We want our writing classes and Delves to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and Delve tuitions at a reduced rate. Most writing classes have at least one access spot available.

Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you have questions.

Class cancellation policy:
If you register for a class and need to cancel before the class begins, here’s a link to our class cancellation policy.