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Novel Writing I - The Basics

In writing a novel, when in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns.

Raymond Chandler

This is for all those who are working on a first novel, or who would like to start their first novel. Some writing experience is preferred, but is not essential.

Course objective : to study the basic principles of novel writing and advance creative writing skills. Each conference is a mixture of course notes and writing assignments.

By the end of the course it is hoped that all participants will have completed a brief plot synopsis for their intended novel, and/or a rough draft of a chapter.

orientation week	familiarisation week
week 1	what's a good idea?
week 2	whose story is it?
week 3	planning
week 4	dreams
week 5	handling time: summary and scene
week 6	once upon a time, in a land far away, on a dark and stormy ...
week 7	dialogue
week 8	writing is about rewriting
week 9	the novelist: the saint at the typewriter