March 24, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - March 26, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Mini Online Course
Do you need a framework to map out your novel? Join award-winning author and book coach, Laurie Calkhoven, for this mini online course designed to offer you a blueprint for your novel’s shape from idea to outline. Included in the program is a guide for creating a 10-point Inside Outline Checklist using the foundational questions from the Author Accelerator.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
- You’ll have access to the recordings through April 30, 2026.
Why This Workshop?
Many novelists are looking to add tools to their writer’s repertoire, especially when it comes to story structure and outlining. Author and book coach Laurie Calkhoven will guide you through exercises that help identify the why of your novel and how knowing this can help you build a 10-point Inside Outline for your story.
This informative program will feature ways to:
- Unpack what you are writing (and why you are writing this story)
- Examine a clear cause-and-effect trajectory of your plot
- Define the internal journey of your story (and why it matters)
- and much more!
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You’ve got an idea for a novel and are ready to start your first draft, but want to have some kind of framework in place before you begin.
- You are revising a story for kids or teens, and want to make a clear cause-and-effect trajectory to move your narrative forward.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to help you get to know the emotional and structural core of your novel.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course. Sessions will be recorded for participants to view.
Part One: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- What is your story?
- Establishing a cause and effect trajectory.
- Pulling it all together and getting ready to work on your Inside Outline
- Q & A
Part Two: Thursday, March 26, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- The Inside Outline, a marriage of plot and point
- Clarifying the who and why of your novel
- What’s next? Creating Your 10-Point Inside Outline Checklist
- Q & A
About This Two-Night Novel Plotting Class
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect for My Work?
In this novel plotting class, you can expect this level of feedback from faculty:
- No feedback included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
Will This Workshop Be Recorded?
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through April 30, 2026.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Are There Other Novel Plotting Resources Available?
A New Way to Meet Your Character: A #HFGather Meditation
Investigate what your character’s name might represent with this meditation, visualization and writing prompt from Laurie Calkhoven.
Using Visual Outlining With Your Novel Draft
#HFGather: A Monday Meditation for NaNoWriMo (or Any Other Time You’re Drafting!)
Join Laurie Calkhoven in a meditative walk through a meadow with your character, follow that with a writing exercise, and see if your character has anything to tell you.
3 Questions With Jennifer Gennari about Getting Organized Before You Start to Write
How Does This Class Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. Stories help kids develop language, build the power of imagination, understand their world and value their lives as they see themselves reflected within. This course educates and encourages creators as they bring their voices to this important work.
