Novel Writing

Course Summary

This practical novel writing course will give you a thorough overview of the key elements to finally write that novel, covering everything from character and plot development to point of view, voice, structure, dialogue and description. With an emphasis on workshopping, motivation and practical writing, bring along your ideas and watch as that blank page is soon brimming with exciting opportunities!

During the course you will learn the following; and more:

• Characterisation
• Developing plots/subplots
• Creating structure
• Point of view and voice
• Dialogue
• Discussing things such as direct and indirect speech
• Eliminating clichés, and overuse of adjectives and adverbs

Some homework is set between classes, and throughout each session there will be an emphasis on writing, workshopping and the sharing of ideas.

Course outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to use the skills they’ve acquired to develop their story ideas and well equipped to take the next step on their writer’s journey.

What should I bring on the day?

Please bring a pen and paper to each session along with any novel/story ideas you might already have.

If you are just starting out and do not have any ideas then don’t fret! During the course you will learn ways to find inspiration and the tools needed to develop new ideas.

Who is this course for?

This course is perfect for anyone with an interest in writing fiction and is looking for the confidence to get started. It’s also the perfect opportunity to meet other aspiring writers in a similar situation!

Your teacher is writing professional Dr Amanda Apthorpe, a published writer of two novels and an educator. Effective time management skills are a signature strength, evident in the completion of a Master of Science, a Master of Arts, a PhD and two novels while working as a full-time secondary science teacher and raising a family. Amanda has presented papers on creative writing and time management at conferences in Wellington NZ (2014) and London UK (2015, 2016), has been interviewed on radio, and has convened workshops on time management for Writers Victoria. She teaches at Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria University, and the Centre for Adult Education.

Learn about novel writing and join the great tradition of novels from Melbourne.