Helpful, Hands-On Writer’s Guide to Crafting a Novel

The One-Week Writing Workshop by Karin Adams

"Each chapter, each page and each exercise provides an enlightening and fun way for writers to think about their craft."

If you’ve read enough books, at some point you’ve probably wondered: How do they do it? How do they write books? Is there a magic formula?

Some of you no doubt even pondered the question: Can I do it?

“Method, momentum and motivation are what I believe you need whether you’re starting from scratch, hopelessly stuck or deciding to get back to it.”

Those are the words of Karin Adams, author and writing guru, who has developed a seven-step method that she has used to pen five published novels and that she has taught for the past 10 years to everyone from first graders to senior citizens. And now she is sharing that strategy in her new book, The One Week Writing Workshop: Seven Days to Spark, Boost or Revive Your Novel.

Seven-Day Writing Workshop

The book, which includes seven steps, is structured like a seven-day workshop, with practical hands-on activities to get the juices going. Each chapter includes “warmups,” “stretches,” and “core activities.”

Adams notes right from the outset that participants need to develop a sense of confidence and affirm their status as writers. Doubts like, “Will I ever finish?” “Do I have what it takes?” and “What if I’m no good?” need to be washed out with the tide. That’s a crucial first step.

And don’t get caught up in the finished product. A blank page can be intimidating. Writing a novel is a process – reinforcing that concept will result in a better, more manageable experience.

Adams takes her readers through all the key steps of the book-writing process: ideas, characters and creating detailed character “webs,” setting, plotting and planning, drafting and revisions. 

Ideas? Where do they come from? Not such an easy concept, but Adams’ goal is to create the conditions for creative inspiration.

Adams has her audience take careful note of books they love and study the nitty-gritty: How does the book start (dialogue, image, mystery)? How does the author convey information? How does the author set a mood, for example?

Enlightening and Fun Look at Craft

Each chapter, each page and each exercise provides an enlightening and fun way for writers to think about their craft. The segments are easy to understand, and the fluid, supportive and enthusiastic tone in the author’s own writing comes through such that the eager student can’t wait to turn the page. Adams will guide readers on “writer’s walks,” trips to the local library and other venues for inspiration. She’ll make you use all of your senses to feel and imagine settings, world-building, stories and personalities.

A crucial aspect of any writing project is story development. Adams employs a storyboard technique to keep the narrative on track, define intricacies in the plot, and expand as the writers see fit.

The book isn’t so much a handbook to “teach” authors all the ins and outs of writing but rather to bring out what is already within them. Readers might decide to “zig” or “zag” from Adams’ very structured game plan, but she is the first to say that breaking from the process to accommodate your own thinking is okay.

Nonetheless, as she reiterates, “I’ve seen my approach help draw out rich, imaginative stories even from the most reluctant of writers.”

Now it’s your turn to give it a try, with Adams’ The One Week Writing Workshop as your guiding light.