Free your creativity and get started on your book

Learn how to overcome self-doubt and enjoy the writing process, from editor Philippa Pride, who has worked with authors including Stephen King

This interactive workshop is designed to help you get started on a novel or short story. In the space of two days, you’ll learn how to overcome self-doubt, find your voice, and become a more creative and disciplined writer. Suitable for writers of all skill levels, the course includes practical exercises which can be tailored to the abilities and interests of members of the group.

During the course, book editor and writing coach Philippa Pride, who has worked with authors including Stephen King, will teach you workable techniques to help you tap your creativity, even when inspiration is running dry. With workshops on planning, structuring and pitching a book, the course offers practical advice, as well as a fantastic opportunity to get professional and creative feedback in a supportive group environment.

Course content

• How to overcome obstacles and switch off your inner critic
• Setting goals and a writing schedule to suit your life
• Exercises for creativity – how to access your ideas and enjoy the writing process
• Tips for writing – building and developing a toolbox
• Finding your unique voice
• Plot, empathetic characters, dialogue, description
• What makes a good story?
• How to shape your book and create ‘narrative drive’
• Painting and dancing with words
• Visualisations – the magic of imagery and metaphor
• Moving from concept to final draft
• Structuring your book – the benefits of a chapter breakdown
• Q&A and group discussion

This course is for you if...

• You’re new to novel or short story writing and have a creative instinct, but are unsure how to kickstart the writing process
• You want to learn techniques to establish a more disciplined or productive writing process
• You want to know more about the organisational aspects of writing a novel, including planning, plotting, structuring and scheduling
• You want to spend less time procrastinating and more time writing

You may also be interested in...

• Develop your book and get it published
• Guardian Summer School: How to write a brilliant story

Tutor profile

Philippa Pride has been running creative writing courses since 2006, combining her skills as a certified NLP master practitioner and coach with her inside knowledge of the publishing profession. A commissioning editor for one of the major publishing houses before setting up her own business, The Book Doctor, Philippa is described by Hodder & Stoughton’s CEO as having “a reputation as a talented spotter of new fiction, a creative editor with flair and vision, a nurturer of writers’ careers and a terrific champion of her authors.” Philippa continues her connection with Hodder as British editor for bestselling author Stephen King.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website