Your 12-month Creative Writing Programme
Do you devour novels? Do you love stories? Do you get deeply involved with characters, and absorbed in different times and places? Do you get hooked by a twisty plot and excited by unexpected reversals? Do you feel a sense of loss when you finish a really good book? Does fiction speak to you in a way that nothing else does?
If you’re a sucker for reading fiction – and especially if you’ve written your own non-fiction book – I’ll bet you’ve thought about having a go at creative writing for yourself…
… wondered whether you could devise a gripping storyline; paint word portraits of loveable/hateable characters; transpose a part of your life, a story you’ve heard, a message you want to get out into gripping, readable fiction.
Maybe you’ve started to write a novel or short story and got stuck or given up. Or perhaps your burning idea or intriguing hero has been rattling around your head for some time, but you’re not sure where or how to start getting them onto the page.
If this is you, and you’re looking for a new, exciting, creative kind of self-development – or a side hustle or even career – I would love to help you get started on your first piece of fiction.
As the author of three novels and a book on How To Write Fiction Without The Fuss, from February 2024 I’ll be running my next 12-month programme for a group of aspiring female fiction-writers to take you through both the initial creative process and the nuts and bolts of fiction writing. We’ll find out where your inspiration lies, decide on your subject and define your genre; we’ll crystalise your central characters and focus your location and setting. Then we’ll plan your structure in as much or as little detail as you want (discovering whether you’re a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’). And then we’ll write…
‘I have loved every minute of this course. From finding my story, to plotting its twist and turns, and to writing my first 20,000 words. All with the camaraderie of an amazing group of women. If you have the urge to write a novel this course is definitely the catalyst you need!’
Karen Ingram, First-time Female Fiction 2023
Whatever your plot or genre, when you follow this creative process you will start to look at the world in ways you never have before; learn things about yourself you haven’t seen before; discover how to unleash your new abilities and approaches in a way that will impact every aspect of your life and work; and find out if telling unique and characterful stories is something you have a hidden talent and love for that could change everything.
So why don’t you do something really special for yourself? Something that takes you outside your business and develops a whole new area of expertise and creativity for you?
‘I’ve wanted to write a novel for years, but I wouldn’t have had the confidence or the capability to do so until I took part in First-time Female Fiction. Lucy’s expertise, combined with the structure and camaraderie of the group sessions, have helped me to learn what is required and then apply it to actual writing. Which in the end, is what it’s all about. If you want to write, then I highly recommend this course as a way to really find out how to do so.’
Lesley Allman, First-time Female Fiction 2023
This is not just your typical superficial 6-week creative writing course. ABOO First-time Female Fiction gives you a year of support through conceiving your idea, creating your story bible, structuring your plot, and then writing and editing your three-act work of fiction. The programme is front-loaded, with fortnightly teaching/workshop calls for the first six months while you are creating your story bible, planning and starting to write; then monthly catch-up calls for the second six months while you are writing; and includes three Q&A sessions with successful, professional women novelists. I have mentored hundreds of authors through writing their books, fiction and non-fiction, and I’ve personally coached and edited many novelists and novels too.
Above all, fiction is my not-at-all-guilty pleasure.
Join me and a group of wonderful like-minded women who are also ready to learn new skills, make themselves vulnerable and share their stories – personal as well as fictional.
Here’s what we’ll be doing and what you’ll be getting:
FIRST-TIME FEMALE FICTION
A 12-month group programme starting early February 2024
- Membership of our interactive Facebook Group where you can share progress and get feedback on ideas and writing
- A hard copy of HOW TO WRITE FICTION WITHOUT THE FUSS and two Lucy McCarraher novels
- 18 live group Zoom calls that include teaching, discussion, Q&A and accountability
- Teaching slides to review and/or download
- Quiet group Zoom writing sessions (optional)
- In person meet-up(s) (optional and to be paid separately)
- Manuscript assessment & feedback (by private arrangement and price with Lucy)
Group calls will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm, starting on Wednesday January 31st 2024, recorded and posted in full in the Facebook Group
MONTHS 1 – 3: CREATING YOUR STORY BIBLE
Month 1 – 2 x 90-minute group calls (teach and workshop)
1. GETTING STARTED – Inspiration, Format and Genre
2. CHARACTERS – Heroes, Anti-heroes and Main Characters
Month 2 – 2 x 90-minute group calls (teach and workshop)
3. TIME & PLACE – Location, Setting & Period, real and imagined worlds
4. WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT – Theme, Plot and Subplot.
Month 3 – 2 x 90-minute group calls (teach and workshop)
5. PLANNING YOUR STRUCTURE – Story Arc and Hero’s Journey
6. STARTING TO WRITE – Finding Your Voice and Hooking Your Reader – including Q&A WITH A PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR
‘This is a course that provides you with all the key essentials to writing a novel at a useful time and with a back up recording if you can’t make the live session. Lucy is a knowledgable, calm, and encouraging guide through this liberating and creative journey. The group becomes a wonderful source of positive support throughout, at whatever stage you may be at with your writing at the monthly meetings. The course is enhanced by guest authors and an agent which brings the writing journey to life. Whether you are exploring whether you can write or novel or are intent upon writing one this course is well worth it. The regular catch ups will help and inspire you in equal measure.’
Gina Peters, First-time Female Fiction 2023
MONTHS 4 – 6: WRITING YOUR FIRST ‘ACT’
Month 4 – 2 x 90-minute group calls (teach and workshop)
7. SHOW DON’T TELL – the key to writing good fiction
8. WRITING DIALOGUE – finding a voice for every character
Month 5 – 2 x 90-minute calls (teach and workshop)
9. WRITING A SCENE – capturing the drama
10. Q&A with PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR + Catch Up
Month 6 – 2 x 90-minute group calls
11. EDITING YOUR WORK – how to review and improve
12. REVIEWING YOUR FIRST ACT – how’s it going…
MONTHS 7 – 9: WRITING YOUR SECOND ACT
Month 7 – 1 x 90-minute call
13. STARTING ACT 2 – the main event
Month 8 – 1 x 90-minute call
14. Q&A WITH A PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR and review
Month 9 – 1 x 90-minute call
15. STARTING ACT 3 – the last lap
‘Lucy McCarraher has created an outstanding opportunity for women who may have always wanted to write fiction but haven’t yet accomplished that goal. I was one of those women and I’m so glad I joined Lucy’s ABOO course for First-Time Female Fiction writers in 2023! Not only did I learn the nuts and bolts of good storytelling, but I did so in the company of like-minded creative women who were all on their way to becoming first-time novelists. If you are a woman who wants to write fiction, I encourage you to treat yourself to Lucy’s course. You’ll be glad you did!’
Cynthia Whitlock, First-time Female Fiction 2023
MONTHS 10 – 12: EDITING & ENDING
Month 10 – 1 x 90-minute call
16. DRAWING TO A CLOSE – tying up loose ends
Month 11 – 1 x 90-minute call
17. FINAL EDIT – finalising a draft for professional editing
Month 12 1 x 90-minute call
18. FINAL DRAFT and OPTIONS FOR PUBLISHING
I look forward to working with you on your first work of fiction!
To sign up for 12 months of First-time Female Fiction, make a single payment of £849.00
Or six monthly instalments of £145.00
‘I completed the inaugural FFF with Lucy this year. This is an inspiring, supportive writer’s development programme, jam packed with content, monthly calls and great coaching from Lucy. If you have a story to tell and you haven’t known where to start, start here.’
Mary McGuire, First-time Female Fiction 2023