Curtis Brown Creative courses

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5 essential editing tips to make your novel fly   We know it can be daunting to face down the complete first draft of your novel and work out what needs to be done to make it the best version of itself – but once you’ve planned out your edit comprehensively, it can actually be fun to get stuck into the rewrite. Here our founder and Managing Director Anna Davis shares her tips to help you move forward with your edit.

 

1. Get as much distance as you can for your read-through It’s important to be as dispassionate as possible when you come to review your work. Print it out to get that extra bit of distance, or at least change how it looks on the screen. Make notes about what is and isn’t working as you go along but don’t start trying to fix it mid-read – this can be an emotional rollercoaster. Give yourself time to process what’s there and to strategize.

 

2. Interrogate your material When you’ve finished your read-through, take some time to ask yourself every question you can think of about what is and isn’t working in your novel – and in the case of what’s not working, push yourself to think about why, and about what may be needed to remedy the problem.   3. Write a plan and use it to guide you along Many of us are ‘pantsers’ in first draft, but I think when it comes to self-editing and rewriting, we all need a plan. Without one, you can go wandering deep into your novel and never come out again. Figure out what needs to be done to each and every part of your novel and write it down. With your plan in hand you are freed up to approach your rewrite in any order that works for you.   Read full blog     Upcoming editing courses with Anna Davis   Get Anna’s feedback and advice on how to edit your novel: Join her popular one-day Zoom course, The Rewrite Doctor, running on 20 Mar. Or for a deeper dive into the process, enrol on our four-day Edit & Pitch Intensive course for 15 students, running from 14 to 17 Apr at our London offices, which features Anna’s in-person teaching plus a guest session with Curtis Brown literary agents.   More editing courses     'Write to the End of Your Novel was exactly what I needed to keep moving forward with my manuscript'   Suzanne Scott Tomita was a student on our Write to the End of Your Novel course in 2023. We caught up to discuss her debut novel, Until Even the Angels – out now from Penguin Random House SEA.

 

What does a typical day of writing look like for you? There is no typical day as I am a gold medal procrastinator! But there are days when I feel like I have honoured the creative process, respected the craft and worked hard on a scene, dialogue or plot line. Those are really good days. A perfect writing day begins with exercise in nature, good coffee and dedicated time for me to be still, find the voice of my character and drop into their thoughts and desires.

 

Do you have any tips for the aspiring authors reading this who are thinking of joining a writing course? One hundred percent GO FOR IT. Sign-up, register. And not just once, make it a habit, like working out. Once you are clear about your writing project and honour your creativity, you will be amazed at the outcome. Build community. This is critical for you to stay connected to your craft. And be kind to yourself as what you are experiencing is powerful and important.   Read full interview

 

Courses starting soon

 

30-Day Writing Bootcamp   Online | £40   Join us for an energising 30 days of writing, supported by online lessons. We have two writing bootcamps, each comprising 30 days of teaching videos, tasks, writing tips and prompts – created and designed by CBC’s founder and MD, Anna Davis – and delivered on our secure Learning platform. Starts 24 Feb.   'The Bootcamp was exactly what I needed to jump-start new materials. I highly recommend it.' – Laura Ember, former student   Enrol now

Starting to Write Fiction   8 Weeks | Zoom | £495   Find your voice and gain the confidence to put pen to paper on this eight-week beginner-friendly course. Attend inspiring Zoom lessons with tasks and feedback from renowned author Vanessa Gebbie – plus a guest session with crime/thriller author Lucie Whitehouse. Runs from 24 Feb to 14 Apr.   'It was wonderful to meet a group of likeminded writers! The feedback was constructive and balanced.' – Jane Boyes, former student   Enrol now

 

 

Finish Your Novel   8 Months | Zoom | £1,500   Get all the way to the end of that tricky first draft on this advanced course. We'll help you hit your deadlines with support and feedback from three expert tutors: Laura Kay, Jacob Ross and Simon Ings. This course features live Zoom teaching sessions, three workshops, three tutorials and dedicated writing time. You'll learn how to banish writer's block, inject pace into your writing, deepen your characterisation and nail your plot. Plus you’ll join a live Zoom masterclass Q&A with a top UK literary agent. Starts 17 Mar.   'I finished my first draft just as the course ended, and now I'm working through it again, applying strategies and advice from all three tutors.' – Caroline Morgan, former student   Apply by 2 Mar

Edit & Pitch Your Novel – Advanced   3 Months | Zoom | £1,600   Hone your novel and elevate your pitch on this course taught by author and former literary agent, Lauren Pearson. You'll also get five Zoom masterclasses on the editorial process with expert speakers, including Betty Trask Award-winning author Jenn Ashworth, founder and MD of CBC Anna Davis, commissioning editor at Canelo Craig Lye, commissioning editor at Penguin Michael Joseph, Lily Cooper, Curtis Brown literary agent Sabhbh Curran and Curtis Brown's editorial consultant Lisa Babalis. Starts 18 Mar.   'The course surpassed expectations. Having access to industry experts was invaluable. Editing my manuscript feels doable now.' – Sally Brockway, former student   Apply by 2 Mar

 

 

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