Take your novel plan and turn it into a 50,000+ word first draft
Finish the course with a solid manuscript
Join our lovely little online community to support you through starting, middling, finishing and beyond
SMASH out YOUR FIRST DRAFT WITH STEP-by-step GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, inspiration and the best writing community in town!
Writing the first draft of a novel is an epic, exciting, and sometimes daunting undertaking — but you definitely don’t have to do it alone! The First Draft course will make even the most ambitious writing project feel totally doable by breaking the mammoth task of novel writing down into manageable chunks, and offering advice, support, tea, biscuits and silly gifs, every step of the way.
There’s no one single way to write a novel*, which is why we’ve brought together a huge collection of flexible approaches, techniques and ideas to help you find the best way to write YOUR first draft. Whether you’re a planner, a pantser, or an ‘I have no idea what I’m doing’ writer, The First Draft course is packed with options to suit everyone, along with practical exercises, examples, and prompts to keep you going.
We also have the most AMAZING online writing community for 24/7 chat, feedback, critique, troubleshooting and general writerly shenanigans!
Let us help you walk your story idea through The First Draft and come out the other side with a novel.
[*P.S. We use #marketingjazzhands to describe this as a 6-month course but if it takes you longer (or shorter!) that’s cool, too. As a Gold Star WHQ member you’ll have ongoing access to this and all our courses for as long as you need, and can dip in and out at a pace that suits you. It’s all gravy.]
LESSONS IN THIS COURSE
CREATING ORDER
THE FIRST ACT
INCITING STUFF
REFUSE THE CALL
SET UP
CRISIS AHOY!
CROSS THE THRESHOLD
SUBPLOTS
THE SECOND ACT
MIDPOINTS
BAD TIMES
PINCH POINTS
ALL IS LOST
NAVEL GAZING
THE THIRD ACT
GET IT TOGETHER
SLAY THE BAD GUYS
FAILURE
THE CLIMAX
WRAPPING UP
ENDINGS
THE FINAL SPRINT
WHAT NEXT
Get full access to The First Draft when you join Writers' HQ today!

Get stuck in straight away with our specialist library of online courses covering everything from productivity, idea generation, short stories, novels, editing, and publishing – suitable for writers at any point in their writing journey.
ROADMAPS TO GUIDE YOU FROM STARTING, MIDDLING AND FINISHING
Our step-by-step roadmaps will guide you from a standing start to a solid writing routine, help you smash through writers block, and hold your hand through the winding alleys of novel writing.
With Writers’ HQ, there’s no writer left behind.


THE MOST AWESOME, SUPPORTIVE, HILARIOUS, PRODUCTIVE writing COMMUNITY
Whether it’s to help you workshop a story, offer in-depth critique, celebrate a finished story, squee over an acceptance, argue over the finer points of an arcane novel, or pick you up when you’ve had a rejection, the Writers’ HQ community is everything.
Members get access to special buddy groups and accountability logs, and you’ll often find Sarah and Jo loitering on the forums instead of doing their own writing.
Hone your craft by getting answers to your writerly questions and exploring your challenges with regular online events, including live Q&As with Sarah and Jo, Flash Fiction write-a-longs, and advanced journaling skills.

THE FIRST DRAFT SUCCESS STORIES!
If you’re ready to take your writing to the next stage just click the thing and do the thing. Woohoo yeah do it do it yeah woo etc and so on
PAY MONTHLY
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Sign up now and get the first month for £10
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Monthly recurring payment. Cancel any time
PAY ANNUALLY
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Save £50 when you join for a year
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No automatic renewal so no surprises in 12 months!
Head on over to the bursary page to find out about free Writers’ HQ membership