In July 2017, Maria’s debut novel, THE LAST LOST GIRL, was published by Poolbeg Press. The book went on to be shortlisted for the Kate O’Brien Debut Award 2018 and the Annie McHale Debut Award 2018. Maria’s second novel, ON BONE BRIDGE was published in July 2018, also by Poolbeg Press. Her third novel, BAD SWEET THINGS, a Crime Thriller/Police Procedural was published in 2021.
Maria has also published a children’s book, The Little Book of Irish Saints, with Poolbeg Press, and has been teaching creative writing for several years.
Start Date: 8th January, 2025
Price: €190
Duration: Six Weeks
2 places remaining
Novella Writing: Join Our 6-Week Online Course
Ever thought about having a go at writing a Novella? With a real resurgence in this delightful literary form taking place right now, there has never been a better time to do just that. Longer than a short story but considerably shorter than a novel, the Novella is the perfect way to express your creativity and polish your writing skills.
So let us take you on this six-week guided journey that will immerse you in the world of novella writing.
What You’ll Learn
Our ‘Novella Writing’ course will provide you with a full understanding and appreciation of this literary form. It will also help equip you with the essential tools and guidance to begin, and develop your own novella, including initial brainstorming and defining your idea through theme, characterisation, plot, pacing and scene setting. Each week you will also complete a core assignment, which will serve as a tool for beginning your novella.
Limited Enrolment: Reserve Your Spot Today
To ensure a high-quality learning experience, this course is strictly limited to ten students. We recommend early booking to secure your place and embark on your literary journey.
Extended Access: Lifetime Access to Course Materials
Even after the course ends, you will have access to the course materials, allowing you to revisit the lessons and refresh your learning as needed.
Global Reach: Open to Students Worldwide
Our online courses are open to aspiring authors from around the world. Join our global community of passionate writers and benefit from their diverse perspectives and experiences.
Weekly Assignments and Personalised Feedback
Upon the course start date, your tutor will email you with your first module (check your Spam/Junk folder for this email and add us to your contacts to ensure smooth communication throughout the course). From there, you will receive weekly written assignments designed to hone your skills and keep you on track. Each assignment will be assessed by your dedicated online tutor, who will provide personalised written feedback to help you grow as a writer. Our course is structured around weekly modules, with new materials released in the form of text lessons. We recommend spending 2-3 hours per week on the course, but with no set class times, you have the flexibility to study at your own pace.
Course Outline
Week One: You will gain an understanding of what exactly a novella is, as we take a brief look at its long history, and the very many genres of novella open to a writer. You will explore what differentiates the novella from a full-scale novel, including the rules around wordcount and pacing, and what makes it such an attractive option to choose. You will also practice brainstorming and begin the work of defining your central idea for your own novella
Week Two: This module will explore the importance of both Character and Theme in the particular setting of the novella. You will look at just what qualities make compelling and believable characters, and the importance of understanding what motivates our characters. You will learn how Theme can be seen as the meaning behind the story of your novella and how to tease out your theme from your central idea.
Week Three: This module is all about plot and pacing. A single succinct plotline is one of the most important elements of your novella,. But plot can be one of the trickiest parts of the writing process. You will be guided through an understanding of the different components of plot, demystifying such terms as Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Resolution. There will also be a practical exercise in expanding your plot. In addition, you will explore the importance of pacing in your novella and how that is best achieved.
Week Four: In a novella, where the focus is generally on a single character, fully developing that character is crucial. In this module, we will be exploring the importance of character development and Character Arc (the journey your character will travel in the course of your novella, and how that journey will change them). We will also be exploring Setting – the Where and When of your novella and how important a role this plays in creating the world in which your characters exist.
Week Five: This module looks at what is meant by Central Conflict and why it is considered to be at the heart of plot. We will examine the difference between internal and external conflict and how to choose the right central conflict for your genre of novella. There will also be a practical exercise in pitting your character against a specific conflict. The module also includes a highly practical exercise in how to write a novella outline, which will pull together all the elements previously studied throughout the course.
Week Six: In this final module of the course there will be a section on a particular form of the novella – the Novella in Flash (NIF). This will be of particular interest to those writers with an interest in or curiosity about flash fiction. There will also be a short discussion on the business of publishing your novella whether traditionally or by self-publishing. The module finishes with an assignment which will set you the goal of writing the first 1000 words of your own novella.
Begin Your Creative Journey Today
Unlock your creative potential and take the first step toward becoming a skilled writer. Register now for our 6-week online Novella Writing course, and begin your journey toward mastering the art of storytelling.