How not to give up on your novel

Starting a novel is easy, finishing it is hard – the greatest challenge to would-be novelists is commitment. Learn how to keep on keeping on in this practical class with Tim Lott, author of eight novels.

“Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but, most of all, endurance.”

James Baldwin

The most crucial of all authorial powers is determination – even the best and most established novelists despair sometimes about finishing what they’ve started. Writing is a long haul with lots of potential pitfalls. However, there is a way through the obstacle course.

Award-winning novelist Tim Lott will explain the challenges you will face and need to overcome, showing you the secrets of getting yourself in shape mentally. You will gain an understanding of the psychological qualities needed to become a novelist and acquire techniques for overcoming mental hurdles during the writing process.

Tim will also share tips on how to make time for writing when your day is full of other commitments, and keep faith in yourself as a novelist.

Content

• Introduction
• How to get psychological support
• Writing a first draft
• Psychological barriers to finishing your novel
• Practically finding a way forward as a writer, including the clues that can be found in studying plot and story structure

Tutor profile

Tim Lott is the author of eight novels and Penguin Modern Classic memoir The Scent of Dried Roses. He is one of the most sought-after writing teachers in the country, particularly through his personal mentoring services. His writing has been highly praised by Hilary Mantel, Alan Bennett, Sebastian Faulks, Tony Parsons and Sarah Waters, among others. His students are equally enthusiastic – read their testimonials.

“Tim’s help got me to a point where I was ready to write my next draft. That next draft got me an agent”

Ben McPherson, A Line of Blood

“No one else could have taught me what Tim did. Without him I can safely say I would still be flailing around in piles of rejection slips”

Rebecca Thornton, The Exclusives

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Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website