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This novel writing course, Online: Year of the Novel (Phase 1) with Amy Lovat, will be held online.

Make 2026 the year you finally write that book in this course with acclaimed author Amy Lovat. Over eight weeks, you’ll receive the tools, support and encouragement you need to plan and begin writing your novel.

Please note: This page is for Phase 1 of Online: Year of the Novel only. Participants who enrol in the full year benefit from a lower overall fee than those booking each phase individually. To enrol in the full year-long program, please visit the Year of the Novel (Full Year) page.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ before enrolling>> 

Course Overview

Writing a novel is exciting and gratifying, but it can seem like a daunting task. From knowing how to start, to overcoming writer’s block, there’s a lot to consider. In Year of the Novel, writer and tutor Amy Lovat will guide you through the first of three phases that cover the stages of writing a novel from beginning to end.

In this first phase, you’ll work on getting the idea of your novel down on paper (or screen). You’ll talk about idea generation and planning, and look at the basic elements of fiction – point of view, voice, narration, character, plot, dialogue, and setting.

Throughout, Amy will use examples from a wide variety of contemporary fiction and from students’ work-in-progress to explore the topics covered, and guest speakers will share their insights to further expand your understanding of how published writers do what they do.

Each week during the course, a new lesson will be posted online. Participants will have the week to work through the content and post responses to exercises designed to put the theory we’re learning into practice. Participants will engage in giving and receiving peer feedback on writing exercises and receive some limited tutor feedback. 

Participants will meet with the tutor each week on Zoom to ask questions and discuss the online lesson content. Sometimes, those Zoom sessions will involve a guest speaker talking about their writing life. 

As you work through the lessons online, you’ll also be working offline to write your novel. To this end, you’ll be encouraged to set specific, achievable writing goals each week and have the opportunity to share your successes, discuss your challenges and help others with theirs, in our class forum. 

You should come to the first class with a specific work-in-progress or idea for a novel. Sharing and discussion will be encouraged, and there will be ample opportunity for you to speak to the group about how various techniques and lessons may be applicable to your specific project. However, one-on-one detailed feedback from the tutor will be limited.

To benefit from this course, you should be working on a novel and have an existing writing practice. You can contact us with any questions before enrolling.

Phase One 

This phase is all about getting the bare bones of your novel down on paper (or screen). We’ll talk about generating ideas and planning, and look at the basic elements of fiction – point of view, voice, narration, character, plot, dialogue and setting. 

1. Introduction and planning

Setting goals, creating structure, identifying obstacles, and figuring out ways to get past them.

2. Inspiration

Generating ideas, re-invigorating memories, stealing from life, stealing from history, and making the old and tired, vigorous and new.

3. Story and plot

The difference between story and plot, and how you can make one into the other.         

4. Character and dialogue

In this session, we’ll discuss what makes a character complex and compelling and what you can do to make your characters as alive on the page as they are in your head.

5. Point of view and voice

We’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of first, second and third POV, and which works best in what circumstances. We’ll also consider the relationship between POV and voice.

6. Showing and telling

Beginner writers are often told to ‘show, not tell’, but it’s not as simple as that. This week we’ll talk about the difference between showing and telling, and how to get the balance right. 

7. Narrative layers 

Novels are never about just one thing; there will always be multiple dimensions that exist in a story beyond the main plot. We’ll discuss how much is too much, as well as multiple perspectives, flashbacks and foreshadowing.

8. Setting

We’ll discuss using the details of time and place to create atmosphere and solidify your invented world. We’ll also review our progress over phase one and forward plan. 

Participant Requirements

Pen and paper or preferred device for writing. Please ensure your device is charged. You should come to the first class with a specific work-in-progress or idea for a novel.

This course is designed for writers of fiction. If you have a narrative non-fiction manuscript and are interested in enrolling in this course, please contact us to discuss.

Please note: The in-person and online streams of Year of the Novel are completely separate, so please choose carefully at enrolment. We’re unable to offer transfers between the streams once your place is confirmed.

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