Have You Always Wanted to Write a Novel?
I work with only one or two beginning novelists at a time—people who are ready to make a serious, year-long commitment to developing, writing, and revising their first novel.
This is not a general story-coaching service. I do not offer one-time manuscript critiques, occasional coaching calls, developmental editing for established writers, or short-term packages.
My work is specifically for the person who has long thought:
Someday I’m going to write a novel.
And has decided that someday has arrived.
The Year-Long Novel Program
We begin with discovery and story development, then move through outlining, drafting, evaluation, revision, and redrafting.
Using the Fictionary approach as our framework, we work step by step from the first idea toward a completed novel.
The process is deliberate. We spend the time needed to understand the story before rushing into pages.
What the Year Looks Like
The calendar is flexible, but a typical year might look something like this:
Months 1–2: Discover the Story
We begin with what you have—even if that is only a sentence beginning, I’ve always wanted to write a novel about…
We explore the central idea, protagonist, story goal, conflict, stakes, setting, major characters, and the difficult choices that will drive the story.
Before worrying about chapters and word counts, we need to understand what story you are actually trying to tell.
Months 2–3: Build the Outline
Once the story begins taking shape, we identify its major structural moments and begin building the scenes that connect them.
This may take a month. It may take two or three.
There is no prize for outlining quickly. The purpose is to understand the story well enough to begin drafting with direction while leaving room for discovery along the way.
Months 3–8: Draft the Novel
Then you write.
Scene by scene. Week by week.
Some coaching sessions will focus on upcoming scenes or story problems. Other days may be devoted almost entirely to uninterrupted writing.
The goal during this stage is not perfection.
It is a complete first draft.
Months 8–10: Evaluate and Revise
Once the manuscript exists as a whole, we evaluate it at the story, character, and scene levels.
We look for structural weaknesses, missing or repetitive scenes, character-arc problems, pacing issues, conflict, stakes, and places where the reader’s experience can be strengthened.
Then you revise.
Months 10–12: Redraft and Finish
The final months are devoted to strengthening the manuscript as a whole.
That may mean rewriting scenes, cutting others, strengthening characters, improving continuity, and making another complete pass through the novel.
By the end of the year, the goal is simple:
You have written a novel.
The calendar is a guide, not a deadline schedule. Some stories need more time in discovery and outlining. Others move more quickly into drafting. We adjust the process to the novel while continuing to move forward.
Centered at West Hollow Writing Studio
This is an in-person program centered around regular writing time at West Hollow Writing Studio, near Boaz, Alabama.
West Hollow is a small, private, off-grid writing space in the woods.
There is no Wi-Fi.
No television.
No ordinary household activity competing for your attention.
You come to write.
You may spend part of the day working with me on the story, then return to West Hollow and continue on your own.
Walk The Meadow when you need to think.
When you need electricity, internet access, or research time, The Library is available nearby.
The outdoor kitchen and fire area provide a place to prepare something to eat, sit beside a fire, or step away from the manuscript for a while.
Everything exists to support the work.
What a Week Might Look Like
The program is built around a regular writing schedule.
A typical participant will come to West Hollow at least three days each week, usually for at least four hours at a time, with many writing days extending longer.
Some days will include story coaching with me before you return to the studio to work.
Other days will be devoted almost entirely to drafting, revising, or working through the current stage of the novel.
The important thing is consistency.
A novel is too large a project to depend on inspiration or occasional free time. If you are serious about completing a novel that readers will want to keep turning pages to finish, you need protected, recurring time to do the work.
The program is designed around that commitment.
Why I Keep It Small
My own novel writing remains my primary work.
I do not want to build a large coaching practice. I want enough room in my writing life to work seriously with one or two people who are equally serious about the work.
The relationship is personal.
The work is sustained.
And the commitment matters.
Is This for You?
This program may be a good fit if you:
- have long dreamed of writing a novel;
- want guidance from the idea stage forward;
- are willing to learn the craft and structure of story;
- can commit to working steadily for a year;
- can spend regular time at West Hollow near Boaz;
- and are ready to make writing the novel something you actually do rather than something you continue planning to do.
A Place to Begin
If you have been carrying a story for years and are ready to give it a real chance, this may be the place to begin.
A place to begin.
A place to write.
A year to turn the dream into a novel.
