Writing a novel is a great idea—in theory. In reality, it’s probably one of the most difficult challenges you’ll ever take on. It not only tests your storytelling skills, but your commitment, determination, ability to block distractions and to finish what you’ve started.
Scary.
That’s why most writers either never attempt it or start, get overwhelmed, decide it’s too hard and quit.
Call it fear. Call it writer’s block. Call it whatever you want. Underlying the entire failure is one thing: Not having a plan.
When you have a plan, when you have a direction, it makes the writing process a breeze. In fact, a plan is an almost guaranteed way to cross the novel-draft finish line.
And planning your novel ahead of time not only makes it easier to know where you’re going with the story, but also makes you anticipate your next writing session. Because you feel so clear on the story.
But how do you create a plan?
“Jennifer has guided me to a solid story form from a sad little outline. Although my story has a long way to go, I can now complete my draft because of her great coaching. And that’s what I was looking for in a coach.” —Paul Swann (Paul finished his draft in 30 days, thanks to his story plan)
The Story Roadmap
A roadmap tells you everything you need to know. And it can make all the difference when you’re on the road. It tells you the stops you need to make—or the cities you need to pass through—to get to your end point.
Without a roadmap, you could end up driving in the wrong direction for two days before you realize you were supposed to make that left turn way back when.
The same goes with writing your novel.
Without a story plan, you might not figure out your First Plot Point until after you’re already 25,000 words in. And you won’t want to turn around, so you’ll keep writing, keep telling yourself it doesn’t matter and you can always edit it later.
But in the end, you’ll either quit because you’re overwhelmed and your story is confused…or you’ll cross the novel-writing finish line, but never touch the manuscript again because it’s a total mess.
And isn’t that a tragedy?
If you’re going to spend time writing all those words, you want them to be words you can do something with.
A story roadmap will keep you on track with your novel, which will help you stick with the writing.
“With the Story Roadmap workshop, I was able to walk through the different phases of my novel and be ready to write when November 1st rolled around. I hit the 50,000-word mark with three days to spare and ended up writing close to 60,000 words before writing THE END. If you’re looking for someone to help you put some structure to your thoughts, I would highly recommend Jennifer’s Story Roadmap workshop.”–Kerry Meacham
If you’re ready to get serious about writing your novel, it’s time to get planning. And that planning starts with the Story Roadmap Group Workshop.
Group Workshop Schedule
“The Story Roadmap Workshop has been incredibly helpful in structuring my work-in-progress. I now have an easy-to-use plan to write, which makes the process so much more enjoyable.”–Joanna
This virtual group workshop runs from January 19 to February 17. Here’s how it works:
Week One: Idea, Concept and Premise
This week, we take the idea in your head and transform it into a Concept and Premise. This includes:
- Developing Your Concept and Premise (Video)
- Idea, Concept and Premise (Worksheet)
- Refine Your Concept and Premise (Worksheet)
Week 2: Character Creation
This week, we create your Protagonist, Antagonist and important secondary characters, as well as develop the character arc for your Protagonist. This includes:
- Character Creation (Video)
- Three Dimensions of Character (Worksheet)
- Character Arc (Worksheet)
Week 3: Story Structure
This week, we create the structure for your story, including all the important moments: First Plot Point, Midpoint, Second Plot Point and Pinch Points. This includes:
- Story Structure (Video)
- Story Structure (Worksheet)
- Story Structure (Cheat Sheet)
Week 4: Scene Building
This week, we build your scene plan (aka story roadmap)–so you know exactly what to write and where to write it in your story. This includes:
- Story Roadmap (Video)
- Detailed Story Roadmap (Worksheet)
What You Get
What the Story Roadmap Group Workshop includes:
- The Story Roadmap Kit—four weekly modules you’ll work through during the workshop (see Group Workshop Schedule above for details)
- Access to the private Story Roadmap Facebook group—a place for you to connect with other workshop participants. And where I give feedback, answer questions and help you work through the modules
- A weekly group call—once a week for four weeks, we’ll all get on the phone to discuss the weekly module and I answer questionsCalls will take place as follows:Call 1: Jan 22 at 3 p.m. EST
Call 2: Jan 29 at 3 p.m. EST
Call 3: Feb 5 at 3 p.m. EST
Call 4: Feb 12 at 3 p.m. EST - Call recordings—in case you miss one of the calls. Also, you can submit questions for me ahead of time and I will answer on the call.
- A story planning process—one you can repeat over and over again with every story you write.
Bonuses
- A free 60-minute call with me—one-on-one support and feedback on your story plan
- A pdf of my book, Butt-In-Chair: A No-Excuses Guide For Writers
Your Investment
There are only 10 spots are available in this program, and it will sell out. Grab your spot now:
$499
Workshop Is Currently Full
“I enjoyed the workshop and it was helpful to learn about story structure so I knew how to go about plotting my novel. Having a deadline and knowing that I had to submit completed worksheets made me feel more accountable, and therefore I was able to make myself get everything done.”–Meghan
Who Is This Workshop For?
This workshop is perfect for you if you:
- Want to have a fully developed story plan before writing your novel draft
- Need help figuring out your story structure and how to move from scene-to-scene in your story
- Are looking for support, feedback and guidance from a professional fiction-writing coach
- Desire community and connection with other writers
“In the Story Roadmap Workshop, I embarked on my own quest, one filled with the same type of trials and milestones that form a great story. And, just like a great story, mine comes with a happy ending: a Story Roadmap, one that I can follow like bread crumbs to my dream of completing my first novel – a structurally sound novel.” —Chrissy
