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This novel writing course, Year of the Novel: In Person (Phase 1) with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, will be held at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Make 2026 the year you finally write that book in this course with bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt. 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 Year of the Novel: In-Person 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

We’ll start by getting the bare bones of your novel down on paper (or screen). In this first phase, we’ll discuss generating ideas and planning, and look at the basic elements of fiction – point of view, voice, narration, character, plot, dialogue and setting.

Throughout, Ashley will use examples from both contemporary fiction and students’ works-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.

To fully immerse ourselves in how novels work, we’ll refer throughout the year to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. You’ll benefit from reading this award-winning debut novel prior to the start of the course or during the phase.

You should come to the first class with a specific work-in-progress or idea for a novel, and be prepared to share and discuss throughout the year. 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. You can contact us with any questions before enrolling.

Phase One: Writing the bones

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, 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, and how you can make one into the other.

4. Character and dialogue
What makes a character complex and compelling, and how can you make your characters as alive on the page as they are in your head? We’ll discuss how brilliantly written dialogue can make your characters more believable.

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

6. Narrative drive
The difference between 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. 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.

Participant Requirements

Pen and paper or preferred device for writing. Ensure your device is charged. Please read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman prior to the course start or during phase one; it may help you to have your own copy to refer to. 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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