The Zero Draft: How to Start Writing a Novel
A course by Shaunta GrimesWriter and Teacher
A course by Shaunta Grimes, Writer and Teacher
Learn how to transform an initial book idea into a physical plot board filled with scenes and different versions of the entire story
There’s no better feeling than letting a story effortlessly flow onto the page from start to finish. But as every writer knows, this inspiration isn’t always easy to sustain. Luckily, as author and teacher Shaunta Grimes has discovered, writing is often more about consistency than talent or imagination. Through experience, she has come up with a series of techniques to structure her writing practice successfully, creating novels such as Center of Gravity and Rebel Nation.
In this online course, learn Shaunta’s writing method to turn your ideas into a complete novel. Discover practical exercises to overcome creative blocks, organize your ideas with key story structures, and stay persistent as you tap into the writer within.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 28 downloads
The Book Binder
8 minutes, 30 seconds
The Story Structure
13 minutes, 9 seconds
Developing and Testing the Idea
8 minutes, 29 seconds
The Eight Sequences
10 minutes, 4 seconds
Developing the Scenes
7 minutes, 26 seconds
About Flexible Plotting
7 minutes, 36 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Shaunta as she discusses what sparked her love for writing and how she was able to turn her passion into a career. Explore some of the authors and storytellers that inspired her to develop her skills as a writer.
Tap into your own sources of inspiration with a writing exercise. Shaunta shows you how she organizes her book binders to develop her stories and goes over the materials you need to build your own. Discover the classic three-act, eight-sequence story structure, as well as core elements like characters, settings, and situations. Brainstorm ideas and put your emerging story to the test by identifying five key plot points.
Next, it’s time to unfold your core idea to develop your novel. Use Shaunta’s downloadable worksheets to delve further into the eight-sequence structure and contextualize your five plot points within that paradigm. Outline your most important scenes and find out how to flexibly assemble a plot board, creating a visual representation of various storyline options to later write your zero draft.
Wrap up by learning some tips to take your story from a draft to a finished novel. Shaunta shares an exercise designed to tame your inner editor and challenges you to set a manageable daily writing goal in order to remain consistent. Discover your writer archetype to harness your strengths and keep yourself accountable as you set out to finally write the book you’ve always dreamed of.
What is this course's project?
Develop your own novel by assembling a book binder with a three-act plot outline and a zero draft of your story.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Any aspiring authors who dream of writing their own novel.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is required—all you need is motivation and imagination.
As for materials, you need a notebook and pen or pencil (or a computer if you prefer to work digitally), sticky notes, a three-ring binder with paper, and access to a printer.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Your methodology is simple and effective. I'm using it now. I bought a plastic file folder and began mapping the scenes
- elisefh1234PLUS2 months ago
Très bon cours, même si le doublage en français est effectué en décalé et qu'il y a un accent suédois pas très agréable à écouter.
- 4 months ago
I have tried many writing courses on here and I can say with absolute confidence this is the best one.
- 6 months ago
Ho trovato l'insegnante molto empatica. Il corso è semplice, ma ho trovato molte indicazioni utili
- 8 months ago
Very good course, highly recommended! The teacher is contagious with her passion and enthusiasm for writing. Also, I should blame her for my amazon bill as I have ordered lots of books after listening to her inspirations part :D
Since then, she has written a number of young-adult novels, some of which have been published by leading companies like Penguin and Macmillan. In 2015, she started an online writing school called Ninja Writers, where she shares her technique and inspiration with young writers who are as enthusiastic about stories as she is.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The Story Structure
- The Inspiration
- The Book Binder
- The Story Structure
- The Story Elements
- Developing and Testing the Idea
- U3
Building the Idea Into a Novel
- The Eight Sequences
- Developing the Scenes
- About Flexible Plotting
- Writing the Zero Draft
- U4
What Do You Do Now?
- Persistence Beats Talent, Every Time
- Dealing with Self-Doubt and Other Creativity Killers
- Accountability
- FP
Final project
- The Zero Draft: How to Start Writing a Novel
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and guides you step-by-step through building writing habits, developing story ideas, and planning your novel from scratch.
No special software is required. A notebook or legal pad, pens, and optionally a binder for organizing your story ideas are recommended.
You’ll learn how to build daily writing habits, generate story ideas, plan and structure your novel, develop characters and scenes, and organize your writing for success.
This course provides practical systems, routines, and organizational tools tailored to help writers with ADHD maintain momentum and manage complex projects.
A writer binder is an organizational tool for storing story ideas, outlines, character lists, and writing progress. The course shows you how to set one up and use it effectively.
Yes, you’ll learn proven strategies for building a daily writing habit and maintaining a long-term writing streak to boost productivity.
Absolutely. The course teaches scene mapping, post-it outlining, and using visual aids like plot boards to organize your story structure.