Would you like to write a novel? Find inspiration and guidance, helping you navigate the fiction writer's craft? Now in its 10th year, this popular one-year novel writing course is open for bookings, for a start in April 2023.
This course is ideal for someone who has some experience in creative writing, and who would value guidance in the art and craft of fiction writing. It will be ideal for someone who has written the first draft of a novel, or a good part of one, and wishes to gain a deeper knowledge of the craft, to then apply to their 2nd draft.
The novel writing course is nine months long, and the monthly creative novel writing workshops will take place in the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh. There will be one full-day crafting workshop per month, plus one sharing/reading from work in progress evening per month (these reading sessions will be over Zoom), plus one to one tutorials.
The monthly workshops focus on different aspects of the craft; for instance, developing characters, point of view, pace, voice, plot, levels of conflict, suspense, structure, editing, etc. Janis is a skilled and creative teacher and each workshop aims for a balance of writing exercises on the theme, close reading of texts, discussions and sharing. The group is encouraged to foster a supportive and community spirit.
Writers considering this course should have a rough draft already written, or at least 30,000 words of a rough draft. Much of the advice in writing is to firstly 'get the story idea out' in what is often called a messy first draft. This work in progress will then give us something to work with, and to apply the various fiction techniques and crafts to.
The fee for the course is £950, and a deposit of £200 is asked to secure a place. Book your place by 15th March.
People interested in this course are asked to email Janis at
Janis@janismackay.com
'I can't recommend this course highly enough. It covers everything you need to consider when writing a novel, as well as providing a supportive and fun environment, enabling you to connect with other writers and to get valuable support and feedback. Janis is a brilliant teacher and goes above and beyond to provide well-prepared, interesting sessions.' Elaine Connelly (a past novel writing student)