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: £160
Duration: Six Weeks
3 places remaining
Novella Writing: Join Our 6-Week Online Course
Have you ever thought about writing a novella? With its resurgence in popularity, now is the perfect time to dive into this captivating literary form. Longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, the novella offers the ideal space to explore your creativity while refining your writing skills.
Join us for a six-week guided course designed to immerse you in the world of novella writing and help you craft a compelling and cohesive story.
What You’ll Learn
In our Novella Writing course, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the novella as a literary form. You’ll also receive the essential tools and expert guidance needed to bring your own novella to life—from brainstorming your idea to developing key elements like theme, character, plot, pacing, and setting. Each week, you’ll complete a core assignment designed to build the foundation of your novella.
Limited Enrolment: Reserve Your Spot Now
To ensure personalized attention and a high-quality learning experience, this course is limited to just ten students. We recommend registering early to secure your place and start your writing journey.
Lifetime Access to Course Materials
After the course ends, you’ll have lifetime access to all course materials. This means you can revisit lessons, refresh your skills, and continue your creative process whenever you need.
Open to Students Worldwide
Our online courses are open to aspiring writers from all corners of the globe. Join a diverse community of writers and gain inspiration from different perspectives and experiences.
Weekly Assignments & Personalised Feedback
Once the course begins, you’ll receive your first module via email (be sure to check your Spam/Junk folder and add us to your contacts to ensure smooth communication). Each week, you’ll complete an assignment that will help you stay on track and develop your novella. Your dedicated tutor will provide detailed, personalised feedback to support your growth as a writer. The course is structured around weekly modules with text lessons and exercises. We recommend dedicating 2-3 hours per week to the course, but you have the flexibility to complete the work at your own pace with no set class times.
Ready to start your novella? Enrol today and take the first step toward bringing your story to life!
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.
Start Your Creative Journey Today
Unleash your creative potential and take the first step toward becoming a skilled writer. Our 6-week online Novella Writing course is the perfect opportunity to dive into the art of storytelling. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, this course will help you craft compelling, concise narratives that resonate with readers. Enrol today, and begin your journey toward mastering the novella form, honing your writing skills, and bringing your unique stories to life.
