NOVEL WITH MEANING

Group Coaching Intensive Program

NOVEL WITH MEANING Group Coaching Intensive is a six-week ONLINE GROUP COACHING PROGRAM for women writers of Literary, Upmarket, and Women’s Fiction that will help you plan and outline a novel with a strong emotional impact and impeccable internal logic.

ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR FOR SUMMER 2024


Limited Seating!

 

Spend six weeks developing core elements of your story in a fun and engaging but robust online workshop with a group of supportive writers who write in the same genre, and high-touch feedback from a certified book coach:

Maybe you’re just starting out as a writer, or you’re coming to this workshop with extensive writing knowledge and experience. Wherever you are in your writing journey, this workshop will challenge your knowledge, take it deeper, and help you apply the known (or unfamiliar) concepts in your current WIP, with one purpose alone—to plan and outline a novel that will impact your readers profoundly.

 
 

Here are some of the core elements we’ll be exploring:

  • What is the point your novel is making, and why it matters?

  • What is the theme of your novel, and how a theme differs from a point?

  • Why are YOU writing THIS story NOW and how to draw out a maximum from your deep-level why.

  • What is the plot of your novel and why the plot isn’t what the story is really about?

  • What is your character’s arc of change and why does it have to be congruent with the point; how can it reflect the theme, and how can you get the plot to drive the character arc (plot-driven story), or vice versa (character-driven story).

  • Why nailing what you’ll show in your protagonist’s opening image matters, and how to make it work with the rest of the core story elements.

  • Hone the internal tension your protagonist will be exhibiting on the page by defining what they want as opposed to what they really need.

  • Learn how to outline your novel with a modified version of Author Accelerator’s signature outlining tool, the Inside Outline, paired with some elements of Save the Cat Beat Sheet and Story Grid, Story Genius, and Emotional Craft of Writing.

    Wrangle all the core story elements into a coherent whole with appropriate high and low turningpoints.

  • Learn how to turn your story into a beautiful graph you can print out and keep on your desk.

 

Maybe you can relate to some of these statements:

  • Sometimes, writing this book feels unmanageable. There are so many moving parts and you’re not 100% sure you’re keeping them all straight.

  • When someone asks you to tell them what your book is about—you don’t quite know how to put it into words.

  • You have a kernel of an idea, but you’re not sure how to develop it further.

  • Sometimes you stare at your words on the page, thinking (cue panic mode): What is my book even about? Does any of this make sense? Does it all tie together?;

  • You’ve gone through a myriad of writing/outlining methods but you can’t seem to be able to fit your round Literary/Upmarket idea into a square Commercial hole;

  • You are not quite sure if your writing falls into Literary, Upmarket or Commercial category, and since all these different categories have different ways of structuring AND writing a novel, you’re feeling stuck;

  • You know that some elements of your book might not be working well with other elements of your book, but you have no idea which ones, or how to fix it;

  • You’re getting feedback from readers that’s underwhelmingly bland, and you don’t know why your writing isn’t hitting that emotional mark;

  • You’ve written yourself into a corner.

  • You’ve spent years working on the same story, but for some reason, it’s still not query-ready.

  • If you’re being entirely honest, you feel a bit underwhelmed with your novel too.

  • Your writing journey is so lonely. You wish were a part of a writing group with other writers in your genre, who knew what your book is about, and who could help keep you accountable and moving forward.


Now, imagine:

  • Understanding genres—and more importantly, where your own book falls on the spectrum—and having clarity about how to structure your book to best reflect that.

  • Knowing exactly what your book is about.

  • Getting personalized feedback from both a certified book coach AND fellow writers, all specializing in your particular genre.

  • Having a proven roadmap that will show you how to take your idea and turn it into a finished manuscript.

  • Feeling confident, inspired, and energized instead of doubting yourself all the time.

  • Knowing exactly what you need to work on and how to get started.

  • Finally putting your writing at the forefront—you’ve been dabbling with it semi-seriously for long enough.


The best of many worlds:

  • WRITING COURSE

    Five video lessons that cover the core story elements, and how to get them to all work together.

  • WORKSHOP

    Apply the concepts laid out in video lessons to your own WIP. Workshop your homework with fellow writers in a safe, and creativity-inducing environment.

  • WORKBOOK

    In order to make workshopping your material seamless, you’ll get a Workbook with exercises and examples to help you workshop each video lesson.

  • PEER FEEDBACK

    Share your homework with your peers: comment on their homework, and get their comments on yours.

    You’ll be with like-minded writers who understand and write in your genre.

  • LIVE COACHING SESSIONS

    After each video lesson, we’ll get together for a 60-minute live coaching session where we’ll discuss everyone’s homework. You’ll learn from your own feedback, as well as feedback other writers will get.

  • INDIVIDUAL FEEDBACK

    You’ll get written feedback from your instructor on your homework after each lesson. You’ll also get written feedback on your entire WORKBOOK after the course ends.

This program includes:

  • 5 video lessons, with step-by-step guidance on how to plan and outline your story;

  • Worksheets that  accompany each lesson so you can workshop your material in style;

  • Access to a group setting of no more than 6 writers where you’ll post your homework for feedback from your peers, and give feedback on their homework;

  • Written feedback from your instructor after each Module.

  • A group live-coaching session after each Module where we’ll discuss everyone’s homework;

  • Written feedback on your entire workbook as the course ends.

  • A BONUS GIFT: a beautiful PDF—Story Graph for your story!

Your investment:

$950

*payment plans available upon request!

Limited seating—6 participants only!

🐞BONUS #1: the option to purchase developmental edit of the book
you’ll be workshopping through the program at 15% discount, or a $10% discount for any other book you want developmentally edited
🐞🐞BONUS #2: the option of signing up for ongoing book coaching
at $150 discount for the first three months of book coaching.
🐞🐞BONUS #3: Membership in my Writers’ Book Club — the membership has been capped for years!

What previous participants are saying…

  • “I learned an MFA worth of information from Lidija in a span of 6 weeks and it just keeps coming ❤️”

    Ariane Scholl, writer

  • “You have a knack at seeing into the potential of someone's story, holding it up to the light and finding the best path for it.”

    Previous participant

  • “You have the ability to see what’s off the rails in a story’s logic, which speaks to your deep understanding of story structure. Being able to “see” is one skill. Being able to see and explain what to do about the problem is another. You’ve got them both in spades.”

    Nita Collins, writer & book coach

  • “I am walking away with a completed outline to a story that I love! ”

    Previous participant

  • “I am truly amazed by the knowledge I have gained in the past six weeks, and the story that has unfolded exercise by exercise. I understand what the third rail/clothes line means, and what should and should not be on it. I've learned how to thread backstory versus info dumping, the importance of my protagonist's origin story in understanding how she developed her misbeliefs, what she wants vs what she needs, and how the misbeliefs are getting in the way. And, the importance of cause and effect, to propel the story forward and keep the reader turning the pages.”

    Kathleen Mates-Youngman

  • “Novel With Meaning was the most amazing experience to be a part of. I learned so much about myself and my story. I came in feeling like I had nothing and I left with the beating heart of my story in my hands. ”

    Nita Collins, writer & book coach

  • “In the program, I learned the vital differences between Literary, Upmarket, and Commercial Fiction—and not the stuff you can get off the Google's first page. I've also learned how to connect the internal and external dimension of the story.”

    Natasha Moskaljov, writer

  • “You have so many strengths, but two stand out. You have an exceptional gift for finding the emotional core of a story, for finding the story itself out of a series of plot events. The other is your generosity of time and spirit. You are unstinting in your efforts to help the writer resolve issues, and your willingness to spend whatever time it takes makes your coaching truly special.”

    Mary Incontro, writer, USA

  • “I appreciate that Lidija was straight forward in her comments, and very respectfully offered suggestions. It was important to have a teacher that made it safe to be vulnerable, as without that it would hamper creativity, and Lidija absolutely did.”

    Kathleen Mates-Youngman

  • “You are encouraging and offer wonderful enthusiasm. Your connection with literature that is non-conventional and literary/upmarket is a strength. Your feedback and notes have had so much depth and insight and I have really valued your time, attention, patience and expertise in this field about which you've helped me learn so much more.“

    Christina Francis-Gilbert, writer, USA

Modules & Schedule:

 
  • Learn (or revisit your knowledge) about the core elements of story. Hone your own novel’s core elements, and see how they affect one another.

  • Learn all the ways how you as the writer and creator of your story relate to your story, and why this matters for your story development.

  • Define your protagonist’s arc with laser precision; explore how other aspects of your story, such as plot and point, affect your character arc (et vice versa); define your character’s deep-rooted motivation and third rail (the source of internal tension that’s always keeping them on edge); specify what emotions should the opening image of your protagonist provoke in your readers.

  • Learn how to structure a plot so that it draws out your protagonist’s arc. Define and refine the obstacles your protagonist needs to face to meet their arc, and specify what’s at stake for them if they fail. Revisit genre conventions and where your reader will expect your story’s highs and lows.

  • Learn how to outline your story with a modified version of Author Accelerator’s signature tool—the Inside Outline—with tweaks added from the following outlining techniques: Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat Writes a Novel Beat Sheet, Lisa Cron’s Story Genius, and Wired for Story, and Donald Maass’s Emotional Craft for Fiction.

Program Schedule

 

MODULE 1

Monday, July 1st: Watch Module 1 Video
Wednesday, July 3rd: Share Homework for Peer Review
Friday, July 5th: Get Written Feedback from Instructor
Monday, July 8th, 10 am EST: Group Coaching Call via Zoom

MODULE 2

Monday, July 8th: Watch Module 2 Video
Wednesday, July 10th: Share Homework for Peer Review
Friday, July 12th: Get Written Feedback from Instructor
Monday, July 15th, 10 am EST: Group Coaching Call via Zoom

MODULE 3

Monday, July 15th: Watch Module 3 Video
Wednesday, July 17th: Share Homework for Peer Review
Friday, July 19th: Get Written Feedback from Instructor
Monday, July 22nd, 10 am EST: Group Coaching Call via Zoom

 

MODULE 4

Monday, July 22nd: Watch Module 4 Video
Wednesday, July 24th: Share Homework for Peer Review
Friday, July 26th: Get Written Feedback from Instructor
Monday, July 29th, 10 am EST: Group Coaching Call via Zoom

MODULE 5

Monday, July 29th: Watch Module 5 Video
Friday, August 2nd: Share Homework for Peer Review
Wednesday, August 7th: Get Written Feedback from Instructor
Friday, August 9th, 10 am EST: Group Coaching Call via Zoom

 

THE PROGRAM IS LIMITED TO ONLY 6 PARTICIPANTS
to ensure high-touch feedback and coaching value to all.

Who is this program for?

This program is created specifically for women writers who want to make sure their story logic is sound, and that all the story components are working together to deliver a powerful emotional message for the reader.

This program is for you if you’re:


✔️ Writing Literary, Upmarket, or Women’s Fiction*
✔️ Ready to do some deep-level work to uncover the message behind your writing
✔️ Enjoy a group workshop setting
✔️ But also love personal, high-touch feedback on your own work

* if you’re not writing in these genres, or are unsure whether you’re writing in these genres, reach out to see if this program would be a good fit for you.

Still not sure NOVEL WITH MEANING is right for you?

Reach out and we’ll schedule a call to discuss whether or not it makes sense for you to enroll in the program!

Your instructor:

Lidija Hilje is a certified book coach and developmental editor specializing in Literary, Upmarket, Book Club, Women’s Fiction. She is also the author of Slanting Towards the Sea, a literary fiction forthcoming from SIMON & SCHUSTER in 2025.

  • Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach

    Learn more about Author Accelerator at: https://www.bookcoaches.com

  • Member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association

    Learn more about WFWA at: https://www.womensfictionwriters.org/

  • Affiliate Editor coaching writers in the coaching track for She Writes Press

    Learn more at: shewritespress.com

  • Affiliate Editor coaching writers in the coaching track for Spark Press

    Learn more at: gosparkpress.com

What Clients are saying about Lidija:

Before I started working with Lidija, I was writing myself into a corner. Not only did she pull me out of that corner, but she helped me find ingenious ways to inject new life into my story and characters and create a solid foundation for my book's structure. Working with her was as joyful as it was enlightening: her passion for literature is equal to her knowledge. My book will be so much better thanks to the foundational work we did together. And the lessons she shared have forever transformed my approach to storytelling."

LAYNE MOSLER, published author and writing coach

I connected with Lidija in the middle of querying my manuscript after a handful of full requests ended in rejections. I knew I needed something to take my story to the next level—Lidija was that something! Her detailed and thoughtful insights forced me to go deeper in all sorts of ways. Her enthusiasm and compassion reminded me I was on the right track even in the face of so many query rejections. After implementing Lidija’s feedback and specific suggestions, I began querying my manuscript again and soon had double the number of full requests! In a few months, I received my first offer of representation. My book will be published by Lake Union Publishing in spring 2023, and I couldn’t have reached this huge milestone without Lidija’s wisdom and keen editorial eye. Thank you, Lidija!

LAUREN PARVIZI, author, USA

Give yourself a summer of writing with a group of like-minded #womensupportingwomen writers, and create a sound foundation for a story worth telling!