Have you always wanted to write that novel? Do you have a novel idea and not know what do to with it?
The first part of Orwrite's 1 Year Novel programme, this eight week in-person course will lead you through the fundamentals of story, developing the seed of your idea and mapping out your novel. Through guided sessions, you’ll explore your world, build a cast of characters and plot your novel’s journey, creating the foundation you need to return to the beginning and write your first scene.
After this course: Graduate to the sixteen week Novel Builder course or give one of our other short courses a try.
What you'll learn
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 we'll cover
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 Dates & Times
Title | Day | Date | Start time | End time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome | Tuesday | 27/01/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 2 | Tuesday | 03/02/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 3 | Tuesday | 10/02/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 4 | Tuesday | 24/02/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 5 | Tuesday | 03/03/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 6 | Tuesday | 10/03/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Session 7 | Tuesday | 17/03/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
Final Session | Tuesday | 24/03/2026 | 19:00 | 21:00 |
New dates coming soon
New Year, New Beginnings... But Where to Start?
Every story has to start somewhere. Yet starting is often the hardest part. The blank page- nemesis of writers everywhere- can be as daunting as it is alluring. But New Year is exactly the time to begin something new. And here's why... Every story starts with two magical words: What if? The possible answers are endless and that's what electrifies a writer. There's no limitation to imagination. Especially in the early stages. Before we get to the hows and whys and 'should that happen theres'....
Reading Room
Just yourself. Notebooks and pens will be provided as well as everything else you need to engage in the sessions. Of course, if you have a favourite pen or notebook you prefer, by all means bring them along.
Not at all — Orwrite courses are open to everyone from beginners to seasoned writers, in search of a refresher.
We've chosen course venues around the city that are easily accessible and which offer the quiet and space to learn in a comfortable environment. All venues are on bus routes and all have parking nearby.
At Orwrite, we believe the only way to learn is by doing. That's why all Orwrite courses will give you the chance to develop your skill and your confidence in writing:
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Through guided writing exercises designed to develop your style, approach and thinking
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Through pair and group activities that encourage supportive and collaborative working that helps develop specific skills to be used in individual exercises
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Through individual feedback and reassuring guidance to help you build on your learning and hone your craft
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Don't worry. We know not everyone can be available, just in the daytime or in the evenings. That's why we deliberately offer courses on a rolling basis; offering the same courses across the day and into the evening. If a course isn't available at the time you want it, check back the following term for alternative course timings. Alternatively, sign up for our newsletter to get updates on upcoming courses.
In the meantime, why not book onto a retreat to get your creative juices flowing?
Sorry to hear you're not enjoying the course you enrolled on. We get that sometimes courses can feel overwhelming or you chose a creative area you aren't fully comfortable with.
Unfortunately, we can't offer refunds beyond the first week of learning. If you find, however, after the first week that a course isn't for you, we will do our best to accommodate, either refunding the difference (excluding week 1 fees) or transferring you to a more appropriate alternative course. Just drop us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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