In this two-part workshop, author Elaine Isaak will cover many of the basics it takes to begin writing your novel. Maybe you’ve written some short stories before. You might have struggled with novel writing in the past—or simply come up with a great idea for a book that you’d like to pursue! How do you take the concept you have in mind and generate the big ideas and structure necessary to write an entire novel? What makes a character believable and compelling enough? How do you come up with the plot, and create enough tension to keep readers happily turning the pages?

Through games and exercises, you will create characters readers want to invest in. You will develop conflicts large enough to sustain a hundred thousand words of fiction. We will brainstorm plot elements to reveal your characters and conflict within a rich and believable setting. This practical and specific approach to working on fiction will help would-be novelists get a solid grasp on how to begin. Leave this workshop with a toolkit of approaches to your novel idea and pages of material to get you excited about drafting the book of your heart! (Make sure to sign up for both parts of this workshop separately)

In Week One

In Week 1, Elaine will cover the key elements needed to write a novel (the protagonist, setting, and main conflict) and brainstorming techniques for generating enough ideas to start working.

WHERE: The workshop will be held at The Ford House on the campus of SNHU (2500 North River Road, Manchester, NH 03106 — Directions and parking info here)

WHEN: Saturday, February 1, 10am-1pm

COST: This workshop is $65 for NHWP members or $85 for nonmembers and is limited to 12 students. Register now to ensure your spot in the class using the “Register now” button below.  (Make sure to sign up for both parts of this workshop separately)

Not a member? Want to join a community of writers working to foster an audience for literature in New Hampshire? Click here to join or renew your membership to the New Hampshire Writers Project.