Everything you need to know to write a novel or short story

This course will help you to elevate your idea for a novel or short story from ‘pipe dream’ to work-in-progress. Led by Whitbread Prize-winning novelist Tim Lott, the day includes an introduction to the basics tools every writer needs, and confidence-boosting advice on how to enjoy the writing process.

During the course, you’ll learn the basics of plotting and storytelling, as well as how to create believable characters and dialogue. Crucially, you’ll also learn how to deal with the emotional and psychological struggles of writing, including how to banish doubts and nerves so you can express yourself with confidence.

Course content

• The basic tools and techniques every writer needs
• Plot vs story: planning and structure
• Character: how to create convincing characters, and how character relates to plot
• Dialogue: how to make dialogue work on the page, and how it differs from real-life speech
• Psychology: how to find the mental resources to complete your novel or short story
• Confidence-building tips to help you maintain creative focus
• Practical writing exercises
• Q&A and discussion

This course is for you if...

• You’re taking your first steps towards writing a work of fiction and are unsure of the basic principles of the process
• You want to write a short story or novel, and need advice on how to get started
• You have experience as a writer and want to move into writing fiction or short stories

Tutor profile

Tim Lott is an award-winning novelist, journalist, critic and creative writing tutor. His first book, the memoir The Scent of Dried Roses, was published in 1996. His first novel White City Blue, published in 1999, won the Whitbread First Novel Award, and other works include Rumours of a Hurricane (2002), The Love Secrets of Don Juan (2003), the Seymour Tapes (2005) and young adult novel Fearless (2007). His latest novel is Under the Same Stars. His column on family matters appears weekly in the Guardian Family section.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website