Novel in 5 - Accelerated Novel Writing Course

Write the first draft of your novel in five months when you join NOVEL in FIVE.

Open enrollment: Begin the course at any time.

Learn your craft, grow as a writer, and get one-on-one advice from a New York Times bestselling novelist.

This course is ideal for you if you:

• Want to write a novel but don't know how to begin
• Have an idea for a novel but need structure and accountability
• Need inspiration and practical advice to maintain your writing habit
• Want to develop a better understanding of narrative craft
• Want to write a novel from start to finish in the next five months
• Enjoy working on your own with accountability check-ins

In Novel in Five, you will write a complete draft of your novel in just five months with practical, inspiring lessons and assignments to help you build your story from the ground up. Each week, you will write 4,000 words. At the end of five months, you will have a solid novel of 70,000 to 80,000 words.

In Novel in Five, you get guidance, inspiration, and accountability...so you can finally get your novel on the page.

What you will learn and accomplish in Novel in Five:

• You will begin by focusing on your novel's situation, protagonist, inciting action, setting, and point of view.
• Then you will work on introducing progressive complications, additional characters, new plot points, and subplots.
• You will discover the best way to structure your novel to make your story feel complete and compelling.
• You will learn how to pace your novel, providing a steady beat of highs and lows to keep your readers engaged.
• You will learn how to write authentic dialogue that drives your story forward and deepens characterization.
• At the course's midpoint, you'll learn into tools for maintaining your story's momentum and your writing practice through the middle distance.
• Lessons on process cover techniques for organizing your research and scenes, writing through challenging times, harnessing the power of vulnerability in your writing, and more.

What you get when you join Novel in Five:

• Twice a week, you will receive a comprehensive lesson and assignment to help you write a specific scene or chapter or work through a challenge in your book.
• Word Count Check-ins: I'll be checking in with you each month see how many words you've written. Why? When it comes to writing your novel, accountability is key!
• A Comprehensive Video Library: Videos throughout the course will offer valuable lessons on narrative craft, encouragement, and practical advice.
• There are no live sessions in this course, so you can do the lessons at the times most convenient to you.
• If you choose Novel in Five PLUS, you will also get monthly one-on-one coaching and feedback on the first 50 pages of your manuscript.

Your goal is to write 4,000 words per week, which you can break up in any way you wish.

• Write 800 words, five days per week
• Write 1,000 words, four days per week
• Write 2,000 words each day of the weekend

I encourage you to find the writing rhythm that works best for you, whether that means taking 45 minutes early every morning to write about 570 words, or setting aside a big chunk of time on the weekend to write an entire chapter in one sitting.

The last two weeks will be dedicated to tools for revision. Instead of writing new material, you'll approach what you've written with an objective eye, revising for plot, character development, point of view consistency, and more.

All assignments and lectures will remain online as soon as they are posted, so, if you miss a week or two, you can go back and catch up.

You will receive email notification each time a new lesson and assignment is posted.

How is Novel in 5 different from Novel in 9?

While Novel in 9 is a cohort-based course that is offered once per year, you can begin Novel in 5 at any time. In Novel in 5, you will work at your own pace with individual coaching instead of cohort-based discussions and live sessions.

It's also about timing. In Novel in Nine, students write 2,000-2,500 words per week. In Novel in 5, you'll write 4,000 words per week. You'll receive the same lessons you would receive in Novel in 9, but at an accelerated pace, without live sessions and weekly discussions. Novel in 5 is designed for writers who have more hours per week to devote to writing and want to complete a draft more quickly.

Course dates: You choose when to begin. You will receive your first set of lessons the moment you enroll.

You'll receive a new set of lessons twice a week. You will have access to your course materials for two full years. If you miss a couple of weeks, no worries! The material will be available for you to catch up when you return.

Discounted Editorial Feedback:

Upon completion of Novel in 5, you can sign up for editorial feedback on your novel at 15% off the regular price (a savings of $359).

Why now is the right time to start your novel:

How much time have you spent thinking about writing a novel? How often have you started a novel, only to hit a brick wall?

Your time is valuable, and your goal of writing a novel is achievable. Novel in Five provides you with the tools, incentive, accountability, and community you need to complete your novel in exactly five months.

Why does Novel in 5 work?

By breaking the big task of writing a novel into small weekly tasks, you will make real, recognizable progress that will keep you motivated. 4,000 words per week is manageable for committed, driven writers without being overwhelming. At the end of each month, you will have made serious progress on your novel.

What students are saying about Novel in 9:

"Novel in Nine was much more than a “class” for me, it was a transformation. I had tried for years and years to write a novel, always unsuccessfully. Under Michelle's guidance, I was able to complete my first novel, in a seamless, uncomplicated, and manageable workflow. Her experienced directives help me move through my writing to that final goal. I am forever grateful for this class, and for Michelle’s help. I’d do it again." Polly K.

"I'm blown away. I'm vastly enjoying meeting all of these creative minds." - Josh C.

"Novel in Nine was even more than I had expected. Who would imagine I would write a full 75,000-word first draft of a novel in only nine months? This class was always a bright spot in my week. Michelle has top-notch writing expertise and teaching skills, and she is generous with her time and input. She and the other serious-writer classmates provided valuable feedback and motivation. Novel in Nine was the perfect way to make novel writing a priority, and get to THE END in a timely way." Kathy B.