Duration
8 weeks of guided development
Dates
April - 14th, 21st, 28th
May - 5th, 12th, 19th
June - 2nd, 9th
Schedule
Tuesdays, 7pm–9pm
Location
Stoke Christian Centre, Plymouth
Group Size
Small supportive group
Price
£110
Course Overview
Everything you need to know before you join
Each session includes guided writing sprints, free writing time, and space to reset, reflect, and connect.
Structured Learning
Small Group Support
Guided Sessions
Practical Skills
Creative Confidence
Clear Direction
Fundamentals
You'll learn the core elements of storytelling. You'll explore the driving forces behind a novel and how to translate them to the page
Plotting
You'll explore different approaches to plotting a story to find the one that works best for you and your novel
Character
You'll build the cast of your novel. You'll study key examples to develop your heroes, villains and others into characters readers will love (or love to hate)
Worldbuilding
You'll lay out the environment of your novel. Taking inspiration from life and literature, you'll map you're novel's world weave it through your story development
Story Management
You'll learn to take a dual-perspective approach to your novel; breaking an 80,000 word idea into manageable chunks, while maintaining a whole project overview.
Writing Craft
Developing a novel idea also develops the writer. Through this course, you'll develop your writing craft, building routines and strategies to set you up to write that novel.
Goal Setting
We'll delve into your visioning set your own goals for your story. After all, it's your story. You have to tell it your way.
Genre
We'll consider genre norms as a guide to your novel's development. Which standards you stick to is entirely up to you.
Readership
Writing a novel is one thing but it's readers you want to love it as much as you do. So considering the reader right from development is fundamental.
Publishing
Publishing is a long way off, whether you want to self publish or use traditional routes. Yet understanding expectations and standards from the outset gets you closer to that elusive publishing deal.
COURSE CONTENT
What You'll Learn
Over 8 weeks, you’ll build the core skills needed to develop your novel idea into a structured, compelling story — with guidance at every stage.
Fundamentals
You'll learn the core elements of storytelling. You'll explore the driving forces behind a novel and how to translate them to the page
Plotting
You'll explore different approaches to plotting a story to find the one that works best for you and your novel
Character
You'll build the cast of your novel. You'll study key examples to develop your heroes, villains and others into characters readers will love (or love to hate)
Worldbuilding
You'll lay out the environment of your novel. Taking inspiration from life and literature, you'll map you're novel's world weave it through your story development
Story Management
You'll learn to take a dual-perspective approach to your novel; breaking an 80,000 word idea into manageable chunks, while maintaining a whole project overview.
Writing Craft
Developing a novel idea also develops the writer. Through this course, you'll develop your writing craft, building routines and strategies to set you up to write that novel.
What you'll learn
Goal Setting
We'll delve into your visioning set your own goals for your story. After all, it's your story. You have to tell it your way.
Genre
We'll consider genre norms as a guide to your novel's development. Which standards you stick to is entirely up to you.
Readership
Writing a novel is one thing but it's readers you want to love it as much as you do. So considering the reader right from development is fundamental.
Publishing
Publishing is a long way off, whether you want to self publish or use traditional routes. Yet understanding expectations and standards from the outset gets you closer to that elusive publishing deal.
What we'll cover
Getting Started
Define your idea, set your direction, and establish strong foundations
Develop Your Concept
Shape your idea into a clear, focused, and workable story
Plot & Structure
Learn how to structure your story and build a compelling narrative arc
Character Development
Create engaging characters that drive your story forward
Writing & Feedback
Write regularly with guidance, support, and gentle feedback
Refine & Move Forward
Strengthen your work and deepen your ideas
Final Progress
Build momentum and bring your ideas together
Next Steps
Leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan to continue your novel
WHAT TO EXPECT
How the Course Works
Over 8 weeks, you’ll move through each stage of developing your novel idea, building clarity, structure, and confidence as you go.
LOCATION
A Quiet Space to Write
Orwrite Together retreats are held at Stoke Christian Centre in Plymouth (listed on maps as Stoke Methodist Church on Devonport Road / Belmont Place).
The space offers a calm, welcoming environment away from distractions — giving you the time and headspace to focus fully on your writing.
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Stay Inspired
Join the Orwrite newsletter for writing prompts, course updates, retreat dates, and creative encouragement.
You don’t need to have written a novel before. This course is designed for beginners as well as those with an idea they’d like to develop further.
Life happens. While it’s best to attend each week, you’ll still be able to continue progressing with your work between sessions.
Each session includes guided writing time, plus you’ll be encouraged to continue developing your work between sessions at your own pace.
Yes — you’ll receive guidance and supportive feedback throughout the course to help you develop your ideas with confidence.
Absolutely. This course is designed to help you take an idea and turn it into a structured, workable story.
A notebook or laptop — whatever you feel most comfortable writing with.
Sessions take place at Stoke Christian Centre.
Group sizes are kept small to ensure a supportive and focused environment.
Yes — the course is designed to help you move forward each week, so you leave with a clear direction and tangible progress.
