Opening Chapters with Louise Tondeur
Learn how to create intriguing, ‘hookful’ opening chapters through crafting and redrafting and how to use pacing to draw your readers into your story.
Selling Fast
Let go of perfection and learn to craft openings that draw readers in with ease.
In this session designed for novelists of all levels of experience, we’ll look at how to make the most of your opening chapters. We’ll focus on intrigue and character, and take the pressure off so you don’t feel like you have to ‘get it right’ the first time. Drawing from Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection, and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, you’ll learn techniques to enable you to craft and clarify the story you’re writing.
You’ll learn tips for foreshadowing and how to create elements of story that you can sustain over several thousand words. We’ll share methods for introducing your characters, playing with your characters and learning their deepest desires. We’ll also look at pacing and how time works at scene level, and how you can use that to draw readers into your story. Your main character’s journey starts in the opening chapters of your novel. In this workshop you’ll learn how to get your readers to root for them, right from the first page.
Louise is also teaching another workshop on the same day. Find out more about Mindful Goal Setting with Louise Tondeur here.
Louise Tondeur
Louise Tondeur lived in Norwich for four years (and commuted for two!) but her connection to East Anglia started with visits to her grandparents, who lived in Wingfield on the Norfolk/Suffolk border for over forty years. She was one of the first ten writers to be awarded an Escalator Fellowship, which she used to write her second novel. Having previously worked for Roehampton and the University of Brighton, Lou now teaches part-time for the Open University and the Creative Writing Programme, works as a freelance editor and mentor, and runs her own writing courses.
Lou has a PhD from Reading and an MA in Creative Writing plus a BA in Drama, both from the University of East Anglia. Lou has published essays and poetry, plus several books, including a series of short, friendly guides for writers. Her second short story collection, Invisible, is out soon, and she is currently writing a book on mindfulness for Bloomsbury Academic. Visit Lou’s website and Substack for writing advice.
NCW Academy Bursary Programme
There is one bursary space available for this workshop.
You are eligible to apply for an NCW bursary if:
- You are a full-time student or pensioner
- You are in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance, Disability Benefits, Income Support, Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits
- You have an income of less than £18,000 per year
- If none of these apply but you feel you are still eligible, you may be asked to submit a signed declaration outlining your circumstances.
To apply for the bursary placement, email academy@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk with the name of the course/workshop you would like to attend. Please also attach one of the following proofs of low income listed here.
Plan your visit
National Centre for Writing is located in the heart of Norwich city centre by the river, and is easily accessible by foot and by public transport. Plan your visit with our guide to the local area, including transport and nearby attractions, as well as full details on accessibility on site.
Accessibility
We want to ensure that Dragon Hall is open and accessible for all. It is largely wheelchair accessible and is equipped with two raising platform lifts, disabled access toilets, hearing loop facilities and some dimmable lighting. Click below for details on parking, access into the building, a breakdown of terrain, facilities, and more.
Box office & shop
Our box office and shop is located within the entrance space of Dragon Hall. Visit us between 10am–3pm on Sundays & Mondays. Payment by card only. Outside of these hours, book online via the website or call us at 01603 877177.
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