Are you ready to write your BOOK?
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I did your 100-day writing course in 2015 for my novel, Gracie Stirling and the Whisper Horses. It's getting published! A small publishing house in Wales picked it up and will be publishing it. I have already signed the contract and they have sent their edits. I just wanted to say a big thank you so much. The 100-Day course was invaluable and it provided me with the structure and "action" they loved in the book. Thank you!
Jenny Kling, Gracie Stirling and the Whisper Horses, Gomer Publishing 2019
How does it practically work?
* Every day for the first month you will be given a short 2 min lesson via email to read, or to watch.
* Each day has exercises that takes you systematically through how to plot your book.
* At key points you will be asked to send some work for feedback and review.
* The lessons will show you how to plot your story, step by step, beginning to end, going over what the story is about, who the characters are, where the story starts, how it reveals itself and how it ends.
* The format of the course will make sure your story is set up right (the beginning hook) and has the dramatic momentum (the middle build) to carry it through to a fulfilling ending.
* You start actually writing after Day 10 and then the course will take you deeper into advanced plotting, storytelling, characters, dialogue, style, theme, genre and writing.
* Each stage of the mentorship has a task and word count targets for you to reach.
* You can book a private skype session with Sarah once you are two months into the writing in order to check you are on track and resolve any plotting issues.
* You are part of our closed FB group of writers in various stages of the publishing process where you can get advice, support or a reader
* You block book your own writing time when it suits you, using the prompts that I send you to know how far your writing should be at each point.
* Each day has exercises that takes you systematically through how to plot your book.
* At key points you will be asked to send some work for feedback and review.
* The lessons will show you how to plot your story, step by step, beginning to end, going over what the story is about, who the characters are, where the story starts, how it reveals itself and how it ends.
* The format of the course will make sure your story is set up right (the beginning hook) and has the dramatic momentum (the middle build) to carry it through to a fulfilling ending.
* You start actually writing after Day 10 and then the course will take you deeper into advanced plotting, storytelling, characters, dialogue, style, theme, genre and writing.
* Each stage of the mentorship has a task and word count targets for you to reach.
* You can book a private skype session with Sarah once you are two months into the writing in order to check you are on track and resolve any plotting issues.
* You are part of our closed FB group of writers in various stages of the publishing process where you can get advice, support or a reader
* You block book your own writing time when it suits you, using the prompts that I send you to know how far your writing should be at each point.
Stuck? How I will get you over the three key 'black holes' of writing
1. The idea
It is so easy to get stuck on just the IDEA of your book. So many possible stories swirling in your head….. Should he be a banker, werewolf or a lawyer? Should it be a crime or a romance? Should it take place in the future or present day? Chicago or Germiston? Should you actually write about yourself? All writers have so many choices. Let’s get some focus. Your very first choice and task is to move what is simply AN IDEA into a PLOT. You have to make some very clear decisions and stick to them. I always say, “that all stories are just a series of thumb sucks”. That means you just come up with an idea… and run with it. Yes, he’s banker, it’s crime novel set in the future and the book starts as he lands a big client but knows he is going to pay in blood money. Now plot THAT BOOK. Do the work to make a plot and stick to it.
2. The first few chapters
And here so many writers get stuck. Some for years! Chances are it will all change in your second draft so just do your best in the first round and move forward.
3. 20,000 words
You reach 20,000 words and you have told your whole story. So common. But a book needs to be longer and you can see that now. What happened? Plotting needs to happen! A book is a long form and that is why we require a certain number of plot points to take your story to the correct length. We do the plotting / outlining upfront so you can't go wrong.
It is so easy to get stuck on just the IDEA of your book. So many possible stories swirling in your head….. Should he be a banker, werewolf or a lawyer? Should it be a crime or a romance? Should it take place in the future or present day? Chicago or Germiston? Should you actually write about yourself? All writers have so many choices. Let’s get some focus. Your very first choice and task is to move what is simply AN IDEA into a PLOT. You have to make some very clear decisions and stick to them. I always say, “that all stories are just a series of thumb sucks”. That means you just come up with an idea… and run with it. Yes, he’s banker, it’s crime novel set in the future and the book starts as he lands a big client but knows he is going to pay in blood money. Now plot THAT BOOK. Do the work to make a plot and stick to it.
2. The first few chapters
And here so many writers get stuck. Some for years! Chances are it will all change in your second draft so just do your best in the first round and move forward.
3. 20,000 words
You reach 20,000 words and you have told your whole story. So common. But a book needs to be longer and you can see that now. What happened? Plotting needs to happen! A book is a long form and that is why we require a certain number of plot points to take your story to the correct length. We do the plotting / outlining upfront so you can't go wrong.
OK you want to start? First check these things
1. Make sure that you are starting this as the right time. Because you are getting these modules via email, you will want to make sure that you are going to have access to email over this time. If you are away you will want to bank them and then open them one day at a time.
2. Make sure that you want to write a NOVEL, not a non-fiction. It can be a children’s book, teen romance or any adult genre, but this course is specifically for fiction. If you want to write a NON FICTION book – this is NOT the course for you. You should be doing the 10 Weeks to a Non Fiction Book.
Are you confused about what you are writing? Please email me first so we can check and get you clear.
2. Make sure that you want to write a NOVEL, not a non-fiction. It can be a children’s book, teen romance or any adult genre, but this course is specifically for fiction. If you want to write a NON FICTION book – this is NOT the course for you. You should be doing the 10 Weeks to a Non Fiction Book.
Are you confused about what you are writing? Please email me first so we can check and get you clear.
WHAT GRADUATES SAY
This is the course I did in 2008/9 and I wrote my first novel. I was sick of thinking about writing a novel and making false starts for years, so I took a week off work and did this course. By the end, I'd trashed the novel I'd been wheel-spinning on, and had a new idea. A month later I had a very dodgy first draft, which later became A Million Miles from Normal, published by Penguin Random House in 2010. Today I'm working on my 9th novel, and pretty much still using the same techniques Sarah taught me.
So, if you're thinking of doing a writing course, stop thinking about it and do it. I can't imagine you'll regret it. Paige Nick, Million Miles from Normal
“This was a very useful course to do, particularly the early modules that actually got me plotting and writing in two weeks. I had no clue how to even start writing and the clear information that you provided just mapped the way forward.’
Maria Phalime, author of Second Chances and Postmortem: The Doctor who Walked Away - Winner of the Maskew Miller Longman Literature Award in 2013.
The workbook is comprehensive and covered all the aspects of getting my novel from an idea to a workable document. I loved the writing exercises and storytelling. Helped me to establish my writing process to a point where I have accomplished more in a few weeks than I have in months before.)
Jill 2017
Holy smoke Sarah, I actually sat and did it. It was a crash course in writing, but it worked like a charm. The plotting spreadsheets I got to the end, with a 60,000 word first draft of my book,”
Miranda Guest, New York 2010 on Write a Book in 100 Days
“....... easily the most practical and useful writing course I’ve ever done and certainly most reasonably priced. I not only read all the modules - I studied them and was delighted because they answered most of the questions that arose when attempting to write a book before. Those that were not specifically answered will probably arise when I actually write more scenes and then I will go back over the course and probably find the answers.-
Jane Vink
More questions? Read our most commons ones:
What do I technically need?
A computer, email and MS Word / any word processing package.
Can I write a non-fiction or memoir?
No, this strictly tackles fiction as the course is geared towards a novel or short story.
A fiction (novel) and non-fiction require two totally different approaches to writing. My reason for hesitating is that I really don’t think you can write an entire non-fiction (researched) book in 100 days. Both of mine took me about 12 months of hard graft from start to finish.
A fiction (novel) and non-fiction require two totally different approaches to writing. My reason for hesitating is that I really don’t think you can write an entire non-fiction (researched) book in 100 days. Both of mine took me about 12 months of hard graft from start to finish.
Can I form a group?
Absolutely not. I totally discourage this. Not if you are serious about getting this done. Writing is best done ALONE. But since we started the MasterMind I have softened a bit and you can get a writing buddy and check in that you are both on track. This works fantastically well.
You can write anywhere, in a noisy cafe, in a caravan in your garden or at a table while the kids are playing. I don’t care where you do it. However just don’t confuse it with a social event. Novel writing is best done alone. Or good writing is. Editing can be collaborative. The only person you will show your MS to, or get feedback from is me, and some of our writing coaches.
You can write anywhere, in a noisy cafe, in a caravan in your garden or at a table while the kids are playing. I don’t care where you do it. However just don’t confuse it with a social event. Novel writing is best done alone. Or good writing is. Editing can be collaborative. The only person you will show your MS to, or get feedback from is me, and some of our writing coaches.
Which is better, an online or group class
No question, the first prize is to come on an actual course. You will learn far more, get feedback and share your ideas with other writers. Writing is experiential and the courses are life-changing. You will walk out with a plan, a plot and ready to write your entire book. Part of a course is an automatic free entry into the Write a Book in 100 Days. If you can get to Cape Town or Greece, do it!
What if I don't finish?
Who are you writing this book for? You are writing it for yourself. You are doing this because you want to and you want to see if you can actually do it. Along the way many people realise that it's flipping hard to write a book! Many choose not to continue. I am not going to let you bail that easily. You can do it. You signed up because you want to do it. Many writers have done it. Many non-writers have too. It’s your choice and it is all about one thing - perseverance. If you don't finish it in the 100 Days that's no sweat - but you are going to finish it.
