Organised by The Guardian
Join author Tim Lott for this online masterclass on the basic skills you need to write the first 20,000 words
Sitting down to write your novel is the first hurdle: now faced with the blank page, your challenge is to fill it with your brilliant ideas. Getting psychologically and practically prepared for the marathon of writing a novel can be difficult, but all you really need is a beginning, a middle and an end.
In this masterclass with acclaimed novelist Tim Lott, you will focus on the all-important first 20,000 words, including research and getting started, laying down dramatic plot ‘mines’ that will explode later in the book, how to be expository without overloading your reader with information, and - importantly - how to launch yourself into the longer second part of your novel.
Aimed at all aspirational writers, the emphasis of this course is to face up to that blank sheet of paper and begin the gentle jog towards the first checkpoint, under the guidance of one of the best writers and coaches in the business.
Course Content
- Getting started: organising ideas, folders, space, research - and the inside of your head
- Psychological barriers to writing: why starting to write scares some people
- What has to happen in the first part of a novel: set up, character establishment, positing questions and choices, and the framing of dramatic dilemmas
- Plot bombs: laying down dramatic ‘mines’ that will glue your reader to the narrative
- Exposition: revealing information about your characters and the situations that begin your novel, without exhausting your reader
- Point of view and the handling of time: who’s telling the story and from what viewpoint?
- Keeping motivated for the longer second part
This course is for ...
- Writers who are approaching their first novel and want to know how to approach research and planning before getting started
- Writers who feel overwhelmed at the thought of starting their novel and are in need of a confidence boost to tackle the first stretch
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.
Course Details
- Date: Monday 6 February 2023
- Time: 6pm-8.30pm (GMT)
A catch up recording will be shared after the class and will be available for two weeks.
This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.
6.00pm GMT | 7.00pm CET | 10.00am PST | 1.00pm EST
You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.
We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses fully accessible. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.
This event will be hosted on a third-party live streaming platform Zoom, please refer to their privacy policy and terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket to the class.
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.