Course Information
This writing course has payment options. Click the ‘Enrol Now’ link to view the payment options.
Prerequisite: Novel & Script Second Draft course.
Writing Your Third Draft
While you will continue to refine your structure in this course, the real focus is on the writing — the craft of re-writing and editing, making each scene as good as it can be.
The Third Draft is the most challenging yet exciting part of the writing process — where your story starts to feel like a book.
Each session, you will:
- Learn new tools and techniques designed to help you improve your writing and storytelling.
- Take what you have done in the Second Draft and plan your chapters, focusing on your character’s motivation, inner conflict and the emotional and dramatic logic of each scene.
- Receive targeted feedback on your chapter planning from your tutor, helping you shape strong turning points and build scenes with rising tension and authentic emotional stakes.
- See the benefits on the page when you start rewriting and editing.
- Write your chapters one at a time, submitting the opening 600 words of each chapter for feedback so you can catch issues early, push each chapter further and keep improving as you go.
- At the end of each session, choose one of your two chapters to polish and submit in full for detailed, professional feedback. The multiple rounds of feedback will accelerate your development as a writer.
Experience the satisfaction of watching your manuscript come to life on the page.
On Learning the Craft of Re-writing and Editing
After completing the course, Kylie Keogh – journalist and media manager, wrote:
“This has been my favourite course. I have loved focusing on the writing and the detail that needed to be fleshed out from Drafts One and Two. And I now see how important it was to get the structure in place before embarking on the Third Draft.
“I have learnt so much about the actual craft of writing in this course. The first lesson was about point of view and it has stuck with me ever since. That and other tools such as having a clear dramatic question have made a huge difference to my writing. And I felt that everyone in the class, after applying the tools and techniques, had a strong story worthy of being published.”
How the Live Course Works
Before the first session, you will be required to write your first 600 words, find the opening of one novel that you love, write your section summaries for TP 1 to TP 2 and answer some review questions.
Between sessions, you will receive feedback from your tutor on your scene planning and the opening 600 words of each chapter as you write them.
Before each session, you will submit a chapter for detailed feedback from your tutor and your fellow group members and prepare feedback for the other writers in your group. They will read and analyse your work and give you detailed feedback in class.
By the end of each session, you will have lots of suggestions to work with. This will give you a clear idea of what works, what does not and what needs to be done to make your story the best it can be.
You will be amazed at how much your story and writing improves during the course. One of the big differences between an amateur and a professional writer is knowing what to cut out.
The Importance of Re-writing and Editing
“The art of writing is the art of re-writing. Success depends on attitude and patience as you take it one step at a time. So much of writing is about re-writing, I never get it right the first few times. I’m of the school that it’s in the re-writes that the story is born. It’s a refiner’s craft. As territorial as we are, it is important to be challenged.”
Tina Howe, Nominated twice for Pulitzer Prize for Drama
“Most writers spend too much time looking at the big picture and not enough time down in the mines doing the nitty-gritty of the scene work. If you can master this skill of the scene you will be well ahead of the game.” Matt Bird – The Secrets of Story
“Re-writing is king. Whether you make it or don’t make it is in the re-write.” Michael Connelly
Course Outcomes
During the course you will:
- Clarify the spine of each chapter before re-writing and editing. To have your writing work on the page for your reader, you need to first be clear about your characters’ motivation and have a sound structure.
- Learn how to shape your writing in a way that connects your readers emotionally with your characters and story.
- Receive detailed, critical feedback on your writing and do extensive re-writing and editing to make every scene as good as it can be. Having fresh eyes review and critique your work, is critical to your progress as a writer.
- Have your writing flowing logically and dramatically so everything makes sense and your story feels authentic.
If you work through the process one step at a time, you will be amazed at how much your writing improves as you master the course’s tools and techniques and take on the feedback from the group and your tutor.
Course Dates
Workshop Dates for 3 October 2026 Course
All workshops run from 10am to 6pm except final session: 2pm to 6pm & drinks.
Session 1: Saturday 3 October 2026
Session 2: Saturday 31 October 2026
Session 3: Saturday 28 November 2026
XMAS/JAN BREAK 26/27
Session 4: Saturday 6 February 2027
Session 5: Sunday 7 March 2027
Session 6: Saturday 10 April 2027
Session 7: Sunday 16 May 2027
Workshop Dates for 27 September 2025 Course
All workshops run from 10am to 6pm except final session: 2pm to 6pm & drinks.
Session 1: Saturday 27 September 2025
Session 2: Saturday 25 October 2025
Session 3: Saturday 22 November 2025
XMAS/JAN BREAK 25/26
Session 4: Saturday 7 February 2026
Session 5: Saturday 7 March 2026
Session 6: Sunday 26 April 2026
Session 7: Sunday 24 May 2026
