How To Write A Novel

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is fast approaching and a few years ago, it helped me change my writing life. Whether you are considering NaNo this year or not, you might find this helpful.

Have you always wanted to write a novel?

I'd always dreamed of writing a novel but I was blocked by all the literary expectations of greatness. If I couldn't write a Booker prize winning novel, what was the point? I struggled with thinking that I wasn't creative for many years. I even tried to write my grand opus once, giving up my job and selling my house to pay for the writing time. But nothing came of it and I went back to the day job dejected.

Then in November 2009, I decided to write a novel as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I looked at what I was reading, and what people were buying in bookstores and understood that literary fiction was just one of the many genres people enjoy reading. I didn't have to write a prize-winning novel!

It is possible!

So I started to write an action-adventure thriller based on religious ideas with a kick-ass heroine. The rough scenes I started that November took over a year to turn into my first novel, Pentecost. In Feb 2011, it was published and has remained an Amazon bestseller for 6 months on the UK and US Kindle stores in Action Adventure & Religious Fiction categories.

I found my way through the jungle of books and blog posts, audios and How To workshops and made it to a finished novel, but it was a struggle.

I know I could have done it faster with the right knowledge

The next one in the series, Prophecy, will be faster because I know what I'm doing now. But I'm still very close to what it feels like to write the first novel and want to share what I have learned along the way to save you time and heartache on your journey.

We want to help you write your novel

Roz Morris has written 11 novels, 8 of which are bestsellers under other names as she is a ghostwriter. Roz also recently released her first novel under her own name, My Memories of a Future Life, a literary fiction novel that is both strange and brilliant. Roz is also a freelance editor and helps authors with writing and publishing advice at NailYourNovel.com. She is a pro who makes her living writing novels.

Together we are doing this webinar series on How to write a novel.

Roz brings years of writing experience to the mix as well as her love of the craft and the backbone of her book for writers, Nail Your Novel. I bring the fresh perspective of a brand new novelist who is selling pretty well but still has all the recent memories of lessons learned. Roz is the experienced teacher and I'm just one step ahead of you in the class.

Two instructors, plenty of varied knowledge.

What does the course involve?

The webinar series will consist of 3 live sessions of 1hr 30 mins each. There will be 60 mins teaching and then 30 mins where you get to ask your burning questions.

We will vary the times for the different timezones but you will also be able to send in questions and get a recording if you're not able to make it live. If you haven't attended a webinar before, it's basically a presentation over the internet where you click a link at the appointed time and you can see the screen-cast and hear our voices live. You can type questions in or ask them on the phone. It's a fantastic way to have a seminar from your study!

Click here to buy now for US$99 =>

The three sessions will be structured as follows:

Session 1: From idea to first draft (Roz Morris)

• Shaping your inspiration, nurturing ideas.
• Research.
• Plotting a novel vs. discovery writing. Outlining.
• Deciding genre, character, plot, sub-plot, theme, timeline.
• Starting with a bang
• The muse and the inner critic
• How to actually get the words done. Word count targets. Editing too soon. Writing fast.
• The saggy middle.
• Block-busters and games you can play to keep your creative side moving
• 30 mins of your questions answered.

Date: Mon 14 November 1pm – 2.30pm US Eastern time (NYC)

Session 2: Lessons learned from writing a first novel (Joanna Penn)

• Genre and deciding what kind of book to write
• Writing scenes: the revelation that changed the way I write
• Dialogue and character discussions. Writing a 3D antagonist/villain.
• Setting. Researching places you've never been to.
• Writing action and fight scenes. Aiming to write cinematically.
• Mind-mapping.
• Bum glue. How to free write and get the first draft out of the way whilst working a day job and having a real life
• Psychology of the first draft – what to do when you think your writing is terrible. To tell or not to tell others.
• What happens after the first draft. My editing tips and tricks.
• 30 mins of your questions answered.

Date: Sun 27 November 2pm – 3.30pm US Eastern time (NYC)

Session 3: From first draft to finished novel (Roz Morris)

• Before you rewrite
• The beat sheet. Structural survey of the novel.
• Editing your first draft – the essentials
• Ending on the right note
• How to know when the draft is finished.
• What to do next.
• 30 mins of your questions answered.

Date: Thurs 15 December 8am – 9.30am US Eastern (NYC)

How much does the course cost?

The live webinar series will be just US$99 to attend all 3 sessions and receive the recordings (video and audio) and slides afterwards. We wanted to time it with NaNoWriMo so as to keep you focused on your goal of getting the novel finished and then taking it to the next level.

There are limited places because of the need to keep webinars manageable, so please book your place now if you're keen to get that novel finally nailed!

Click here to buy now for US$99 =>

What if you can't make all the live sessions?

If you join the program you will have access to all the recordings as soon as the sessions are over so you can login and download and play in your own time. If you register, you will also get the chance to ask your questions by email and we will answer them in the Q&A part of the program.

If you have any questions about the program, please email me: joanna@TheCreativePenn.com

Once you click to buy, you will be able to pay with Paypal or a credit card and you will be sent to the webinar signup page where you will enter your details. You will also be sent to a password protected page where all the course materials will be located.

Click here to buy now for US$99 =>

If you are not happy with the material, I offer 100% money back guarantee, no questions asked. I want to provide useful information to you so I am committed to providing great value.

You can also email me with any questions: joanna@TheCreativePenn.com