In this first stage of the Year of the Novel, your story is just beginning to take shape — maybe it’s a promising idea, a rough outline, or a great character sketch. Here, you’ll give your story roots by exploring the essentials of craft: creating vivid characters and authentic voices, developing plot and structure, and building worlds that feel alive.

You’ll grow your writing practice through discussions of craft, guided workshops, supportive feedback, and a community of writers who celebrate experimentation and curiosity.

We call this the Seedling stage — your story is sprouting, and it’s time to nurture its first bright shoots into a full draft.