Start Your Book Today

As the author of over a dozen books, I know how daunting the blank page can be. When I’m on book tour, the question I hear most often from aspiring writers is: “I have an idea for a book, but where do I begin?”

I get it! Starting a new book is a huge challenge, no matter how many times you’ve done it. In this class, I’m going to walk you through the steps I take to start a first draft. I promise it’ll be easy, fun, and low-pressure.

In the first section, we’ll gather our ideas.

You’ll get to hang out at your favorite bookstore or library. You’ll get to tear open a fresh new package of index cards. Best of all, you’ll start filling a notebook (or a computer screen!) with pages.

In the second section, we’ll work on shaping those ideas into a story.

How do you organize your ideas into a coherent book? I’ll teach you the storytelling methods that I rely on for every book I write, and I’ll use real-world examples from well-known books, as well as from students in my own workshops. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, or memoir—there are ideas here for all kinds of book projects.

Finally, I’ll share some approaches for building a successful writing practice.

It’s one thing to start a book, but it’s another thing to keep going, day after day! If you struggle to find the time, the patience, and the focus you need to get your writing project done, this section is for you. And you’re not alone–every writer deals with distractions, dead ends, and those days when nothing works.

I’m going to give you my twenty best ideas for building a successful writing practice. I’ve used all of these at one time or another, and it’s how I’ve kept writing—and supported myself as a full-time author—for two decades.

Are you ready?

Whether you’re embarking on your first writing project, or trying to get your tenth book finished, this class is designed to get you on the road. Let’s go!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!