Plotting Scenes and Novels with Amita Murray

The difference between plotters and pantsers is that plotters plot before they start writing, and pantsers dive in first, and then define and sharpen the plot as they go.

Whichever you are, at some point in a novel, you will need to figure out if your plot is working or not. Let’s figure out what rising action means, how we can draw compelling scenes, and how we can make it so our readers can’t put our novels down before the end.

About the tutor

Amita Murray‘s Regency novels are published with Harper Collins. Her contemporary mystery novels feature a neurodivergent amateur sleuth called Arya Winters, for lovers of Fleabag and Only Murders in the Building. She has won the Exeter Novel Prize and the SI Leeds Literary Prize, been a writer-in-residence with Leverhulme, Literature Works, Spread the Word, University College London, Plymouth University, the British Council and others. She has taught creative writing in the world-renowned University of East Anglia programme, and her writing appears in magazines such as Red, Stylist, Big Issue, Bookseller, Writers Digest, Diva, Ellery Queen, Wasafiri and more. She receives glowing reviews from Boston Globe, Good Housekeeping, MyWeekly, Women’s Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Publishers Weekly and more. Cosmo calls her work ‘scintillating and scandalous’ and the Boston Globe calls it a ‘deeply romantic and politically astute exploration of love, race and class in Regency England.’ Follow Amita @AmitaMurray and the Creative Hunger substack.

About First Tuesdays

First Tuesday Writers is here to keep your writing fresh. Taking place on the first Tuesday of every month, each 90 minute session offers a deep dive into a writer’s creative world – designed to challenge and energise you, and lead you to new creative discoveries.

Every writer and every form of writing has something unique that we can learn and put to use in our own work. These workshops are all opportunities to learn from radically diverse writers – including poets, bloggers, crime writers and much more. Drop in for one or two events or sign up to them all: either way, you’ll leave buzzing, and ready to do your best and most innovative work.

Low cost places available

We believe the price of our courses should never be a barrier to your learning. If you are unable to pay for a place on this event, contact us to apply for a bursary place.