Everyone has a book in them - so the adage goes. And yet, so few people actually commit the time and hard work to putting words on the page, developing their story, refining their work, and then taking it forward. If you have a burning desire to tell a story, but don’t know how to possibly begin - perhaps you’ve found yourself reading authors’ accounts of how they write and discovered that everyone’s process is entirely at odds - now might be the time to sculpt your own process.

This workshop with bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink will enable you to carve out some space for starting to write. From believing in yourself to honing your craft through practical creative writing exercises, as well as how to excavate your story and find your authentic narrative voice, this is a masterclass you mustn’t miss.

Whether you dream of immortalising your family history, capturing a life experience you’ve had, crafting a robust suite of short stories, or you’ve had a compelling idea for a novel swimming around your head for years, Cathy’s class will help get you started. Based on her new book Write it all Down: How to Put Your Life on the Page , Cathy’s masterclass combines expert tips with interactive exercises designed to boost your confidence and inspire you on your journey as a writer.

This course is for ...

Writers and aspiring writers at any stage of their creative or research process
Anyone interested in writing in any format

Course content

Ways into writing: short creative exercises for developing your ideas and boosting your imagination
What's getting in the way of you telling your story?
Overcoming self-doubt
Finding your authentic narrative voice
How to excavate your story
Building and maintaining a writing habit
Developing a writer's mindset
Cathy's toolbag of techniques
Q&A

Tutor profile

Cathy Rentzenbrink is the author of the Sunday Times best-seller The Last Act of Love and of A Manual for Heartache and Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books. In 2021 she published her first novel, Everyone is Still Alive, and in January 2022 she will be publishing a guide to writing memoirs, called Write it all Down: How to Put Your Life on the Page. Cathy regularly chairs literary events, interviews authors, reviews books, runs creative writing courses where she welcomes anyone, no matter what their experience, education, background or story. She believes that everyone’s life would be improved by picking up a pen and is at her happiest when encouraging her students to have the courage to delve into themselves and see the magic that will start to happen on the page.

Course Details

Date: Monday 3 April 2023
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm (BST)

A catch up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.

This masterclass is available globally. See this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CST | 10.30am PT | 1.30pm ET

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the course start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link.

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Returns policy

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Ways into writing: How to begin your story with Cathy Rentzenbrink