Course Information
Story Structure and the Process
During the course, participants often ask, “How could anyone write a novel or screenplay without having a process like this?”
The Writers’ Studio process allows you to access the power of your imagination while grounding your story in solid structure. This is what creates the magic on the page and helps produce a profound and dramatic experience for your reader.
The importance of Story Structure
Ninety percent of novels and screenplays are rejected because of poor structure. This course demystifies story structure so you can harness its power without getting confused or rigid. It will expand rather than limit your imagination.
Many people can write great scenes and/or have a strong idea or initial incident that they think will make a great story. But an idea, a few good scenes and a dramatic incident is unfortunately rarely enough. Everything needs to be connected for your story to have a powerful impact.
Robert McKee, acclaimed teacher and author of Story, says, “You might have the insights of Buddha, but if you can’t tell a story, your ideas will be as dry as dust. Craft is the sum total of all means used to draw the audience into deep involvement, to hold that involvement and ultimately reward them with a moving and meaningful experience.”
The purpose of structure is to link the action of the story with the character journey so that each scene contributes to the overall character arc and the story builds in a dramatic and logical way, engaging your reader from beginning to end. This is the art and craft of storytelling.
The power of a step by step process
This course’s step-by-step process shows you what to do and when you need to do it, grounding your story in classic story structure while allowing your creativity to flourish and your characters to come alive on the page.
The process will bring out the best in you and your story. You will be amazed at how much your story and characters evolve and deepen over the ten months.
The live sessions are great fun. You get to experience the pleasure of going on a creative journey with a group of like-minded people and witnessing the magic of seeing everyone’s stories come alive as they work through the process. Our goal is to have everyone walking away from each session knowing what they need to do between sessions and feeling energised and inspired.
The workshops are scheduled one Saturday per month and one full weekend intensive. (See dates below) The workshops are where most of the heavy lifting, that is the planning and structure, is worked out (missed classes can be caught up online). Your tutors give you weekly feedback on your developing structure using our bespoke, interactive online Steps Board.
Google Reviews
“Roland and Kathleen, and of course, Rich are Sydney’s best kept secret. They bring an aptitude, love for writing, and unique talent in drawing out the stories within, like no one else. I’m totally indebted to them for the richness of my story and in developing a love of storytelling that I never realised was so deep inside me. You will not regret one second of the time you dedicate to turning up and being guided by these lovely, lovely people. I just finished my first draft and am looking forward to starting Second Draft!” Rebecca
Course Outcomes
During The Course You Will:
- Develop the broad spine of your story using our Ten-Step Outline before you start writing your actual first draft to make sure your story is structurally sound and has the legs to go the distance of a novel or screenplay.
- Implement strategies to develop, flesh out, and motivate your characters so they feel authentic, unique and come alive on the page.
- Follow a proven step-by-step process that will help you work effectively. The process interacts with our bespoke interactive online tools making sure your story is grounded, kept on track and builds dramatically and logically in the weeks between sessions.
- Learn how to develop a dance between structure and imagination to utilise your creativity while grounding your story in solid story structure.
- Receive guidance, accountability, inspiration and support from your tutor and fellow classmates to enable you to fully develop the possibilities of your story.
- Develop a regular writing habit – a fundamental ingredient of writing success.
- Learn the essential keys to creating powerful drama full of internal and external conflict using our specialised Scene Templates to bring your scenes alive on the page.
- Develop a deep understanding of classic story structure dynamics by using our 8 Turning Points and 29 Story Steps. This will keep your story on track and make sure you don’t get lost in the dreaded middle, which is where many writers get stuck.
- Learn the art and craft of storytelling. The goal of the first draft is not to write the perfect story, but rather to discover the possibilities of your story and characters.
- Complete your first draft in ten months while taking your main character and yourself on a profound journey of change. A huge achievement.
Please Note: If you plan to write a memoir, we recommend our First Draft Online course, which provides one-to-one tutor support. The collaborative, fiction-focused environment of the live class is best suited to writers working on novels, screenplays, or fictionalised stories. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to help.
What Writers Say about our Creative Writing Courses
Below is a short compilation video featuring writers talking about their experiences doing our 4-Week Unlocking Creative Writing course and our 10- Month Novel & Scriptwriting course.
Workshop Calendar Dates
All classes available online if you need to miss any workshops. We reserve the right to change class dates if necessary.
Workshop Dates for 13 September 2025 course
All sessions run from 10am to 6pm except final session: 2pm to 6pm & drinks on us!
Workshop 1: Saturday 13 September 2025
Workshop 2: Weekend Intensive Saturday and Sunday 11 & 12 October 2025
Session 1: Saturday 8 November 2025
Session 2: Saturday 6 December 2025
Session 3: Saturday 24 January 2026
Session 4: Saturday 21 February 2026
Session 5: Saturday 21 March 2026
Session 6: Saturday 18 April 2026
Session 7: Saturday 16 May 2026
Session 8: SUNDAY 14 June 2026
Workshop Dates for 8 March 2025 course
All sessions run from 10am to 6pm except final session: 2pm to 6pm & drinks on us!
Workshop 1: Saturday 8 March 2025
Workshop 2: Weekend Intensive Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 April 2025
Session 1: Saturday 3 May 2025
Session 2: Saturday 31 May 2025
Session 3: Saturday 28 June 2025
Session 4: Saturday 26 July 2025
Session 5: Saturday 23 August 2025
Session 6: Saturday 20 September 2025
Session 7: Saturday 18 October 2025
Session 8: SUNDAY 16 November 2025
Workshop Dates for 14 September 2024 course
All sessions run from 10am to 6pm except final session: 2pm to 6.00pm & drinks on us!
Workshop 1: Saturday 14 September 2024
Workshop 2: Weekend Intensive Saturday and Sunday 12 & 13 October 2024
Session 1: Saturday 9 November 2024
Session 2: Saturday 7 December 2024
Session 3: Saturday 25 January 2025
Session 4: Saturday 22 February 2025
Session 5: Saturday 22 March 2025
Session 6: Saturday 26 April 2025
Session 7: Saturday 24 May 2025
Session 8: SUNDAY 22 June 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for writers based in Sydney who are ready to dive into the 10-month process of writing the first draft of their novel or screenplay. The pre-requisite writing course, Unlocking Creativity, is complimentary to anyone who enrols directly into the First Draft Live Course. Unlocking Creativity gives participants a solid foundation in our approach and philosophy and sets you up with key tools and techniques before starting your first draft.
Is this course suitable for scriptwriters?
Yes, if you want to write a screenplay, we recommend writing it in narrative form first. Once you have completed the first draft and found your story, you can then adapt it into screenplay format. Think of this process as writing a detailed treatment, which is a common practice among industry professionals.
How much time will I have to commit?
Our courses are designed for people who work full-time. To get the most out of the course, it is essential to develop a consistent writing practice, otherwise your writing goals remain a hope and a dream. We recommend setting aside around 3-5 hours each week, or roughly 30-60 minutes a day. The live workshops are held one Saturday per month and include one full weekend intensive. All sessions are from 10 am to 6 pm, except for the final session, which runs on a Sunday from 2 pm to 6:00pm followed by a get together to celebrate! Should you need to miss any workshops, all classes are available online, ensuring flexibility for your busy schedule.
Do I need to have an idea of a character or story before I start the course?
No, it is not necessary to come to the course with a fully formed idea for a story. Many of our writers start with a blank canvas or a vague idea. The first two months of the course are dedicated to exploring and developing the broad shape of your character and story before you start writing the actual first draft. This process ensures you have a character and story that you are eager to write about and has the structural integrity to sustain a novel or screenplay.
How is the course structured and what support will I receive?
The course is delivered over 10 months, with live workshops held one Saturday per month and one full weekend intensive. Each month you will receive new lessons and exercises designed to build on the previous month’s content. You will write the majority of your first draft behind closed doors. You will have opportunities to share your work with your personal tutor and receive tailored feedback on the dynamics and evolving spine of your story during the in-class sessions.
Additionally, you can share your story and writing with fellow writers in class and between sessions online, on our bespoke Writers’ Board, fostering a supportive community and gaining diverse perspectives on your work. Between sessions, your tutor will support you in planning and structuring your scenes, facilitating your writing process.
What outcomes can I expect by the end of the course?
By the end of the First Draft Live Course, you will have a complete first draft of your novel or screenplay which is a huge achievement and what most people can only dream of. You will have a thorough understanding of your story’s structure, well-developed characters and a solid foundation for further refinement. You will also gain confidence in your writing abilities and a network of supportive fellow writers.
What is the difference between the First Draft Live and First Draft Online Course?
The First Draft Live course includes in-person workshops that provide immediate feedback, dynamic discussions, and a collaborative, interactive atmosphere. This format enhances learning through real-time support and shared experiences, fostering deeper connections and creativity.
The First Draft Online course, on the other hand, offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Both the live and online courses cover the same content and are designed to achieve the same outcomes, ensuring that you receive the same education and support regardless of the format you choose.
Where does this course sit in the journey of writing my novel or screenplay?
The First Draft Online Course is the first crucial step in the journey of writing your novel or screenplay. It builds on the foundation laid in Unlocking Creativity, guiding you through the process of writing a complete first draft. No one writes a perfect first draft. To make your story as good as it can be, you will still have to write a number of drafts, involving re-writing and editing, either on your own or with us. Excellence is a commitment to completion.
Read more about The Writers’ Studio Pathway.
Can I write a memoir in this course?
The First Draft Live course is best suited to fiction writers — those working on novels, screenplays, or fictionalised stories based on real experiences. The collaborative environment is focused on dramatic storytelling, where you’ll be encouraged to invent new possibilities and explore what might happen next — even if it didn’t.
Memoir often requires a different process. If you’re working on a true-life story and want to stay closely aligned with your lived experience, we recommend our First Draft Online course, where you’ll receive one-on-one support from a tutor who can help shape your story while honouring its emotional truth.
If you’re open to fictionalising your experience, the live course may still be a good fit, as long as you’re comfortable with creative invention and feedback from fiction writers.
Not sure which option suits you best? Get in touch — we’re happy to help.
