This novel writing course, Year of the Novel with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, will be held at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Make 2025 the year you finally write that book in this course from bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt. Over three phases of eight weeks each, you’ll receive the tools, support and encouragement you need to plan, write and edit your novel.

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, to editing your completed manuscript, there’s a lot to consider. In Year of the Novel, award-winning writer and tutor Ashley Kalagian Blunt will guide you through three phases that cover the stages of writing a novel from beginning to end. At the end of the year, there will be an evening of celebration at which friends, family, other writers and industry insiders can hear you read from your novel.

In the 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.

In the course’s second phase you will start developing your novel, by considering structure, style and theme, and going deeper still with character, voice and plot. As you approach the year’s half-way mark you’ll also talk about how to stay focused and motivated to see this thing through to the end.

Finally, in phase three, you’ll work on turning your very good novel into a brilliant one. You’ll kill some darlings, bolster any threadbare sections, and refine and finesse the language. You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to launch your fully-realised novel into the world.

Throughout, Ashley 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.

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. The building blocks of story

An introduction to the building blocks of story, including the difference between story and plot, 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. We’ll also discuss how brilliantly written dialogue can make your characters more believable.

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. Narrative drive

We’ll consider the difference between terms like suspense, tension, pace, momentum and narrative drive, and discuss why these are essential to the concept of story.

7. 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.

8. Setting and progress review

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.

Phase Two:

Phase two is all about putting flesh on the bones of your novel, giving your story depth and force and vigour by looking at structure, style and theme, and going deeper with character, voice and plot. As we approach the year’s half-way mark we’ll also talk about how to stay focussed and motivated to see this thing through to the end.

1. Workshopping what needs to be done 

Whether you’re back from the break after Phase One, or starting with us for the first time, this is a week to take stock of your work in progress.

2. Macro structure

Structure is what turns a collection of scenes into a satisfying novel. We’ll talk about scene beats and story arcs, and look at common structural templates.

3. Advanced plotting: scene structure

We’ll go deep into understanding how scenes work and how we can strengthen ours.

4. Character: going deeper

Avoiding stereotypes, identifying archetypes, writing across gender and cultural lines and making full use of minor and supporting characters.

5. Backstory and subplots                                          

We’ll look at backstory, time-jumps, transitions and subplots.

6. Voice, tone and style

What is voice and how do you find, or develop, yours? What’s the relationship between voice and tone? We’ll talk about metaphor, imagery and finding the exact right word every time.

7. Point of view: going deeper 

How does ‘head-hopping’ differ from omniscient POV? And why does any of this matter? Can’t we just tell the story as it comes out? Answers to these questions and more as we dive deeper into the wonders of POV.

8. Forging on 

We’ve been working on our novels for over half the year by now. It’s time to talk about smashing writer’s block, pushing through frustration and dealing with doubt.

Phase Three:

This is where we take a long hard look at your very good novel and figure out how to make it brilliant. We’ll cut the fat, plump up the too-lean bits, polish the language and do whatever else is necessary to ensure your novel is ready to face the world.

1. Revision and editing basics

Learning to read like an editor, and the difference between structural, line and copy-editing.

2. What’s missing?                                                                                   

Every novel-in-progress has weak points and this week we’re going to confront yours head on. Whether it’s a weak antagonist, a giant plot line or dodgy dialogue we’ll work one-on-one to pin-point your problems and come up with strategies to fix them.

3. What needs to go?

You’ve done a lot of work since you first began this writing journey. Now it’s time to go back and pull down the stuff you no longer need. We’ll pull out the scissors and ruthlessly cut out all those no-longer necessary explanations, descriptions and conversations.

4. Beginnings                                                                        

It may seem a bit late to be talking about beginnings, but it’s often only once you’re close to the end that you can see where you should have begun! This week is all about making sure your novel starts where and how it needs to (know that you know where it’s going).

5. Endings 

Endings are tough, but we’re going to be tough right back at them! We’ll talk finales, climaxes, cliffhangers, epilogues, and the difference between an open-ending and no-ending at all.

6. Word by word

This week we go micro, considering the rhythm and flow of sentences and hunting down filter words, clichés and clumsy constructions.

7. Over to you

This week’s content will be determined by the needs and concerns of the students, and will include one-on-one time with the tutor for each student.

8. Where do we go from here? 

Freelance editors, manuscript assessment, agents, publishers, competitions and more.

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.

If the full-year course is not sold out prior to commencement, each phase will be made available as a separate course for individual enrolment. If the full course does not sell out by early 2025, enrolments in Phase One only will be made available. You can join the waitlist here if you would like to be notified in the event of this happening. Please note that the full-year course has generally sold out prior to commencement in recent years, and it has not been possible to open individual phases for bookings.

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