Lots of People Dream of Writing A Novel...

....But so few ever start... and even fewer actually finish

Why is that? 

Things Start Out Well

Maybe you’ve got past that initial hesitation and started a novel, only for interest to wane about ten pages in. You start with all sorts of vigor but then slowly lose steam.  The ideas and the words stop flowing, Netflix and the couch begin to beckon. 

Another year passes by. Maybe you’ll try again in six months.

I’ve been exactly where you are. I have drawers full of the first ten pages of novels. I’ve given up, even 40,000 or 50,000 words into a novel.

Writing a novel became so much easier once I did one thing... 

I actually finished a novel! 


And now I want to help you do the same. 


Your First Novel is a comprehensive writing course, designed to help you complete your first book. 


Writing a Novel is Challenging

Your First Novel will teach you to:

  • Craft Amazing Characters

    Build true to life characters and create gripping plots set in fantastic worlds

  • Write Masterful Prose

    Deliver your story with beautiful language and evocative writing. Write engaging dialogue and description

  • Develop The Writer's Mindset

    Overcome distraction, writer's block and develop a long term writing habit to start and finish your novel

What's Included

Learn at your own pace with lifetime access to dozens of video and written lessons

    1. Welcome To Your First Novel

    2. 4 Things Beginners Should be aware of

    3. What is A Novel?

    4. The Writing Process

    5. Plot Or Pants?

    6. The Path To Your Novel

    7. Sticking Points

    8. Your First 100 Words

    9. Checklist: Introduction

    1. How Important are Ideas?

    2. 5 Methods To Find Ideas

    3. Picking A Perspective

    4. Theme and Mood

    5. Sticking Point: Idea Jumping

    6. Path To Your Novel: Solidify Your Idea

    7. Checklist: Ideas

    1. Fuel Your Plot with Conflict

    2. Plot Structures

    3. Create a Gripping Opening

    4. Master Your First Scene

    5. Manage Your Middle

    6. End With An Amazing Payoff

    7. Path To Your Novel: Plot Or Free-Write

    8. Checklist: Plot

    1. Motivation: The Most Important Aspect of A Character

    2. Nobody's Perfect: Character Flaws

    3. List of Character Flaws

    4. Main and Supporting Cast: Flat Vs Round Characters

    5. People Change (Or Don't): Static vs Dynamic Characters

    6. Friends and Foes: Pro vs Antagonist

    7. Get To Know Your Characters: Characterization

    8. Sticking Point: Too Many Characters

    9. Path To Your Novel: Meet Your Characters

    10. Checklist: Characters

    1. World Building and The Setting

    2. Depth and Complexity

    3. Sticking Point: World Builder's Disease

    4. Path To Your Novel: Explore Your World

    5. Checklist: Setting

    1. The Most Important Aspect of Good Prose

    2. 4 Parts of Prose

    3. Narrative: Making Stuff Happen

    4. Description: Engaging the Senses

    5. Dialogue: Characteristic Exchanges

    6. Exposition: Beyond the Story

    7. 4 Habits To Improve Your Prose

    8. 10 Things That Could Ruin Your Prose

    9. Path To Your Novel: Write well, write a lot

    10. Checklist: Prose

About this course

  • $119.00
  • 56 lessons

Pricing options

Your Instructor

Carl Duncan

Writing has been my passion for nearly my whole life. I love nothing more than bringing a world to life on the page. About 4 years ago I started helping others on their own writing journeys through my YouTube channel (Along with The Cat). As rewarding as it is, writing can be a challenging past time. That's why I created Your First Novel to take everything I've learned through years of trial and error and put it in one place
Get Started

From My YouTube Viewers

“My debut is getting traditionally published fall of 2025!...your channel has provided a lot of motivation for me, thank YOU.”

HardNewsTakenHarder

“ Best writing channel on youtube. Please don't stop. Much love from Germany.”

Janefaceinthewind626

“These videos inspire me to keep writing”

James Anthony

“I love your channel because nobody else talks about the aspects of writing that you talk about”

kabedford

“As a writer trying to start making something with a bigger picture in mind for the first time, your channel is inspiring me a lot! thanks :)”

elenagarciabroock

“Thank you for such helpful advice!! I’m a new writer and subscribe to several writing advice channels. Your channel is one of the very best.”

Jennifer Cassidy

Is Your First Novel Right for you?

  • You have little or no writing experience and aren't sure where to start Your First Novel requires no previous writing experience

  • You don't yet have an idea for your novel or aren't sure how to flesh out your idea We have lessons to help you come up with an idea and develop the characters and setting to go along with it

  • You've struggled with motivation and sticking with writing Changing your habits and beliefs are key to writing success, we show you how to do that

What kind of story will you create?

Get started on your writing journey today!

Unlock Full Access Now

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will Your First Novel help me get published?

    Yes and no. This is not a publishing course. It does not cover querying or finding an agent. However, writing a novel is a prerequisite to publishing and it will help you do that

  • What are the payment options?

    A one time payment of $97 USD (Save 20%) or 12 monthly payments of $12

  • Do you offer refunds?

    Yes if you are unsatisfied with the course, you can email for a full refund. In these cases it is helpful to provide feedback on why the course did not meet your expectations

  • I've already written an entire novel, or several novels, is this course worth it for me?

    This course covers introductory material, and while it is fairly in depth, if you've already written a novel it may not be ideal for your situation

  • Can I preview any of the course material?

    Yes! Check out my YouTube channel for some preview lessons from the course

  • How Long is The Course?

    There's 3+ hours of video content and additional written material. The individual videos usually run between 5 and 15 minutes

  • How Long Will It Take to Write a Novel?

    20-30 minutes of writing every day will get your novel done in about a year, obviously the more you write the faster it will go. A novel is a big project and requires a time frame to match