“The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem.”
― Pat Schneider (the 4th precept of the AWA Method)
HOW DOES A NOVEL APPROACH HELP YOU WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT?
(While also learning the key skills of writing novels along the way)
- Participants meet in a zoom room workshop every two weeks for two and a half hours to write new scenes and share fresh work in the supportive, positive feedback environment known as the AWA Method.
- We ensure that the primary focus of the workshop time together is on writing to prompts, and then creating a safe place for you to share your fresh writing with the other participants. You are never forced to share what you have written in the class. Reading your new scenes in the group is always optional.
- The objective of each workshop is to generate up to half of your bi-weekly objective of producing 3,000 new words which you are encouraged to email to us in a word document. We read these new scenes and make notes that support your strengths as a writer and encourage your skills as a storyteller.
- Once a month, at a mutually convenient time, we meet to discuss each block of 6,000 words in a one-on-one zoom meeting. If you have any questions about the craft lessons or writing strategies, we gladly offer assistance in these meetings.
- Each of the 20 workshops focusses on a specific aspect of craft that guides you through the writing process and develops you into a writer fully versed in the language and opportunities available to twenty-first century novelists. A copy of each craft lesson is emailed to you after each workshop.
- We offer short exercises from time to time that help you develop your craft as a writer, spark your imagination and keep your fingers on the keyboard.
- We meet with each participant individually after the seventh workshop in April for an additional 45 minute zoom meeting to celebrate your first 21,000 words and suggest strategies to help you finish your first draft by the final workshop.
- At the conclusion of the workshop, you will have written up to 60,000 words and have learned the key skills of writing compelling novels. You will also belong to a community of equally enthusiastic and learning-focused writers.
Our workshop is a terrific modern support mechanism designed to make WRITING happen. We’ve never been involved with anything as rewarding and creative as A Novel Approach!
A Novel Approach to FICTION First Draft 2025:
(facilitated by James Dewar)
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (biweekly) 6:00-8:30 pm. (EST)First workshop: January 8, 2025; 20th workshop October 1, 2025