Why I created THE WRITE START: FOUNDATIONS?

After 15 years working at some of the UK’s biggest publishing houses, one truth stands out: the strongest stories are always built on solid foundations.

In today’s world, there’s a lot of ‘just start writing!’ advice out there on social media, podcasts and across the internet. And while this energy has its place – because yes, staring at a blank page can feel intimidating – it can often lead writers straight into overwhelm, tangled plots, or flat characters that just won’t behave.

Writing a novel without solid story foundations is like building a house with no blueprint. You can lay the bricks, sure – but where are the walls going? What happens when you put the windows in backwards (there is a right way)? Or worse, what if you build it all on sand, or forget to layer in the insulation? We're talking ripped-up floorboards, demolished walls and hiring those expensive window fitters all over again... 

That’s why I created The Write Start: Foundations – an affordable, accessible six-week course for every new writer out there, designed to help you build your story from the ground up.

Together, we’ll explore your core idea, hook, characters, themes, plot, and the emotional journey you want to take your reader on. You’ll have a supportive group for accountability and community, plus three live calls throughout the course so you can ask questions and stay on track.

This is the approach I encourage every single writer I work with to take, not just with a loose idea and a blank page, but with structure and clarity. As Picasso famously said: ‘Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.’ 

Once you know the boundaries of your story – what will work, what your hero or heroine will do or won’t do – you can fully inhabit your story. It will feel real, 3-dimensional. And when it’s time to take on feedback, or work with an editor, you’ll know the parameters you’re working within. This will be your story through and through. 

It’s not about perfection. It’s about clarity.

With the right tools on your side – plot outline, character arcs, and a clear sense of your story’s purpose – you’ll never feel completely lost again. These are the provisions that keep you going when motivation dips, life gets busy, or self-doubt creeps in.

Writing a novel isn’t for the faint-hearted. So let’s give you the structure, confidence, and creative spark to go all the way – without burnout, confusion, or wasted word count.

Let’s build your story from the ground floor up.

Interested in joining The Write Start: Foundations and getting everything ready to start writing your book this September? Join here: