ONLINE: Novel Writing with Paul McVeigh

Participants may be given assignments to work on between sessions. These solo writing exercises would normally have taken place during classroom hours but as the workshop will take place via zoom instead this writing time will take place offline outside class hours.

Participants are encouraged to read Paul’s novel The Good Son as references will be made to this during the workshop. We will provide you with the first chapter of this novel.

Over the five days you will look at how to grow your story idea into a novel that grips your reader from start to finish. You will look at that crucial opening that hooks the reader, how to keep the narrative momentum going through that difficult middle and lead to a satisfying ‘inevitable surprise’ of an ending. You will look at creating believable complex characters that stand out and stay with your reader, the many uses of dialogue and how to find your voice. You will explore world building, the importance of setting and how it can become another character in your story. If you are happy to you can share your work-in-progress and get constructive problem-solving focused feedback. The course will finish with advice on what every debut novelist needs to know, covering agents, building a readership and an online presence, making industry connections and a behind-the-scenes look at those coveted literary prizes.

Instructions for participants will be emailed on purchase. And we’re here to support anyone with any questions.

You will need

• A good Wifi connection
• Access to a Laptop, Tablet, PC or Mac with a microphone