What happens on a discovery call?

A discovery call is a thirty minute chat about what you need help with. It’s very informal, and is like having coffee with a friend.

What will we discuss on a coaching call?

We will talk about anything you like to do with your writing. I use my experience as a creative writing tutor to both offer possible solutions to issues, as well as coaching you to understand why you are experiencing the issue and how we can move forward. I also set tasks outside of our time together so that you can work toward your goals. All our conversations are confidential.

Can we meet in person?

During Covid I am happy to work with your time zone and meet you on Zoom.

January 2023 – Rachel Grosvenor Author

It’s a question that I’ve heard throughout my writing career. As you know, I am an author, writing coach and editor, but I have also been a university lecturer in creative writing and have taught adults in this field for over seven years.

There are different types of creative writing classes. There is the type that allows you the time to write, essentially putting writers in a room together and giving them a theme to create with for an hour or so. There is also the type of class I teach, focusing more on the theory and craft of creative writing. From dialogue to characterisation, I teach writers everything from finding the time to write to creating a realistic character and plot.

In my experience, creative writing can be taught. Of course, talent is a huge part of anything creative, and some people find it easier to write and have a natural flair for the written word. But, I believe that anyone can tell their story with the right support.

Taking a creative writing class is the perfect way to get your creative juices flowing and hone your craft. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, want to refine your writing skills or brush up on some techniques, creative writing classes are a great launching pad.

Creative writing classes offer invaluable opportunities to learn new concepts while surrounded by like-minded writers. You can bounce ideas off each other and learn from different perspectives in order to expand your creative horizons. Not only will you become inspired by fellow students’ work, but you will also find motivation within yourself to develop further as a writer. Creative writing classes also offer networking opportunities with other writers who share your interests. Connecting with like-minded individuals can help open up possibilities for collaboration or even just making new friends within the creative circle.

The teachers of creative writing classes provide helpful advice and tips that guide you through the creative process. They often have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which can help you get the most out of your creative writing class. With their guidance, you’ll be able to explore various topics and find creative ways to express them in your writing.

Overall, creative writing classes can be an invaluable part of any writer’s journey. Such a course will inspire ideas and enhance your process, helping you build essential skills and connections that will benefit you as a writer. So why not give creative writing classes a try? You’ll be surprised at how much your creative work can benefit from it.

Looking for a creative writing class? If your preference is online, I offer a Masterclass, It’s Time to Write Your Novel. Here’s what my student Hannah had to say about it:

“The Novel Writing Masterclass is a resource that I just keep coming back to. The flexible lesson structure and topic-focused videos mean that I can come back to Rachel’s valuable insight when I’m stuck or battling with a certain area of my writing. It is a dream of mine to write a novel, and although life sometimes gets in the way, I know that I have the knowledge, expertise and compassionate guidance of Rachel always behind me through her Masterclass resources and material.”

If you favour real-life classes, reach out to your local hubs for more information, workshops and further resources. With the right guidance, you may find yourself improving as a writer in no time! So why wait? Take that creative writing class now and start developing your craft today.

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

5 Things I Wish I Had Known before Writing My First Novel
10 Ways to Grow as a Writer

Crafting believable characters is a key element of successful fiction writing. To create vibrant and engaging stories, authors must develop their protagonists and antagonists in ways that draw readers into the narrative with carefully crafted dialogue, motivations, backgrounds, goals – all these elements allow us to relate to the character’s journey on an emotional level. By infusing their protagonists and antagonists with individual characteristics, writers provide immersive narratives in which readers can identify themselves within the character’s journey. This helps to create a lasting impact, which can define the success of a book.

When character development is done right, it can be compelling. By successfully creating characters that readers can relate to and empathise with, writers will be rewarded with an engaged audience. Although characterisation is often subject to individual interpretations, there are some general tips authors should keep in mind when crafting their own unique protagonists and antagonists.

Firstly, ensure your character’s dialogue reflects their character traits – if they’re supposed to be shy or outspoken, this must come across in their dialogue. Remember that people change as they grow, so your character’s dialogue should change alongside their character arc and experiences. Think of Scrooge from A Christmas Carol and how his language changes as we move through the story. He goes from being a character who speaks in short, angry, monosyllabic bursts of dialogue to being lyrical, ‘as merry as a schoolboy’, when he sees that life’s riches are beyond his wallet.

Secondly, ensure you have provided enough detail about the character’s background and motivations for readers to connect emotionally with them – without these details, characterisation can fall flat. How can you help your reader connect with your character? What motivates them to move forward through the story? It might be love, grief, ambition, or pride. All of these are universal feelings that your reader will be familiar with, so dig deep, and don’t be afraid to ‘write what you know’ (not sure what I mean by this? Don’t worry – I don’t mean write about your life! Check out this blog post here).

Finally, consider how your character develops over the course of the story – do they change for better or worse? How does this affect their character arc? Show the reader your character’s journey and how they have developed along the way.

If you are looking to craft engaging and captivating stories, begin by considering your protagonists’ and antagonists’ motivations and goals, and how your readers will be able to identify themselves within the character’s journey.

Would you like to talk about your characters? Get in touch here.

Want to read something similar? Check out the following:

How to Create a Realistic Character
How to Use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Your Character Development