It's finally time to write your book
(no experience needed)
Have you always wanted to be a writer, but have no idea where to start? Or maybe you’ve sat down to write, but nothing came out? Are you slightly terrified of the blank page? Do you need permission to be rubbish (at first)?
If so, grab a cup of tea, you’ve come to the right place, and your inner critic can wait outside. In this no-fluff, friendly, self-paced course, I’ll show you how to take your first steps into writing, with no deadlines and no pressure.
By the end of this course, you’ll understand why you don’t need a good idea (or any knowledge of grammar) to get started. And you’ll learn three easy-to-learn, powerful tools that you can use over and over again, whether you want to dip your toes, or one day write a novel.
Ever found yourself asking these questions?
It’s finally your time to write a book. Perhaps you have an amazing story to tell but don’t know how to get it on paper. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to have a go at writing but you’ve struggled to find ideas. By the end of this course, you’ll have started to write using proven tools that are tried and tested by successful writers.
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How do I sit down and write?
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What do I write about?
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How do I actually start to write a book?
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How do I generate ideas?
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Where do ideas come from anyway?
"Writing is a powerful tool that can help you express your creative self, if you're given the right tools and encouragement."
Writing for Beginners is for you if:
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You're a complete beginner who wants to start writing
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You feel stuck or unsure how to begin
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You want simple, effective tools to get started and keep going
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You need a a gentle, encouraging guide to build your confidence
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You'd like to get going straightaway, without lots of theory
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You’re ready to use your own life experiences for inspiration
Learn to see yourself as a writer
“Louise is not just a creative writer, she is a creative teacher. After her seminars my mind always fizzed with ideas; a blank page became something not to be feared but filled. Perhaps more importantly she changed the way I thought about myself: she taught me to see myself as a writer – that was the most valuable lesson and for that I’m extremely grateful.”
- postgraduate student
Be challenged, excited and inspired
“Louise was the first writer I ever met. She praised me, challenged me, and worked me hard. Thanks to her, I have been encouraged to take risks, and to write, instead of finding reasons not to. And thanks to Louise I have every confidence that I can write my first novel. […] May she go on to teach many more students, and may they, like me, come away feeling challenged, excited and inspired.”
- first time novelist
What's inside the course
You'll get three sets of video lessons each with an introduction, exploration, exercises and a recap, downloadable writing resources for each of the three writing tools, a list of books and resources so you can take your writing practice further, plus two bonus videos at no extra cost. There's a sneak peek below.
A sneak peek inside the course
Access video lessons and downloadable worksheets straightaway. The course is accessible on mobile and on your computer or tablet.
After completing this course you'll have
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A working understanding of the three essential writing tools.
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An instant, easy 'cure' for writer's block.
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Started a writing habit - plus strategies for working out the best time to write.
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A set of writing exercises to generate material and ideas and boost your creativity.
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First drafts you can mine for phrases or characters or develop into longer projects.
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Resources to develop your writing skills, find a writing community, and improve your practice.
Get started today with easy to follow writing exercises to download
To make it simple and easy for you to get your writing started straightaway WITHOUT having to think of ideas, you'll get downloadable PDFs of the exercises so you can put the tools into practice.
Who am I?
Lou Tondeur
Hi. I’m Lou. I write fiction, poetry, plays and nonfiction. With over 30 years of teaching experience, I’ve helped countless numbers of writers, from total beginners to aspiring authors, to find their voice and grow their writing skills.
I’m a published writer and a qualified teacher, with an MA Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature and I believe writing is a powerful tool that can help you express your creative self, if you’re given the right tools and encouragement.
FAQs
Can I get started straightaway?
Yes, as soon as you enroll you can access all of the videos and downloads.
Will there be any live or in-person lessons?
No, this class is self-paced. Access it in your own time, at your own pace. All the videos are pre-recorded.
How long will it take me to do the course?
I recommend that you practice one tool for a week before moving onto the next one, which means the course will take 3 weeks to complete. You’ll want to create 15-minute slots to do the exercises at least a couple of times a week – more if you want to make progress quicker. If you prefer to watch everything in one go, that’s fine too, but take your time over the actual writing.
Do I send in my work for feedback?
When you’re first starting out, it can be daunting to get feedback on your work. Once you gain more experience, feedback may be exactly what you need. So no, this course doesn’t include feedback for good reason!
Why should I buy this course? Can’t I just take a DIY approach?
Yes, you could take the DIY approach: that’s what I did at first and then eventually I figured out how to use these tools for myself. That said, I wish someone had told me these things when I first started out, which is why I’m sharing them here. You could learn from books or by searching the internet but personally it was only when I spoke to writers who were already further ahead on their writing journey that I really started to understand how the process works.
Is this the only way to start to write?
No, all you need is something to write with and time and space to write – otherwise there are as many starting points as there are writers. You’ll love some of the ideas in this course but others won’t work for you. Don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep going back to and all of the techniques reward repetition.
This is no ordinary writing course (it’s better)
I’m not going to tell you what the rules are, because there aren’t any rules. But if there were some writing rules, these are the ones you’d learn in this course:
1. Sod the rules: just start writing
2. Start before you feel ready
3. Drink tea, play around, create a commotion through writing
4. Write without waiting for permission
5. First drafts are meant to be bad
6. Your brain’s full of brilliant nonsense (let’s use it)
7. Write first, edit later
When the page is empty and you’re mildly terrified, this course will tell you what to do. It’ll help you form a writing habit (or at least trick yourself into one). You could call these tools training in ‘The Art of Noticing Without Being Weird About It’ (although admittedly sometimes I am weird about it). Looking for proof that you’re a real writer? You’re still reading this. So put the kettle on, and let’s get started.
