Write On Track
Write On Track is an 8-week writing group, centred around building a sustainable writing practice, balancing writing and life, and getting to that finish-line in one piece.
Week 1
Setting intentions and goals
Kick off the programme by clarifying your writing intentions and setting achievable goals. We will explore why you write, the importance of goal setting, and creating a personal writing plan. With a clear vision, you can stay motivated and focused on your writing journey.
Week 2
Building a writing routine
Writing routines are important – but they look different for everyone! We'll examine the routines of famous (and not-so-famous) authors and dive into different approaches to scheduling writing time. This session will help you discover what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Week 3
Setting writer boundaries
Establish clear boundaries to protect your writing time and space. This session will cover strategies for communicating your needs, managing distractions, balancing writing with other responsibilities, and creating a supportive environment that allows you to focus on your writing without guilt.
Week 4
Playing with perspective
Experiment with different narrative perspectives to enhance your storytelling skills. Through creative exercises, we'll explore how changing viewpoints can not only deepen your understanding of characters and plot, but your own creativity too.
Week 5
Balancing perfectionism and progress
This session will examine the tension between striving for perfection and making progress. We'll discuss how to set realistic standards, embrace imperfections, and keep moving forward in your writing projects.
Week 6
Writing drunk, editing sober (a metaphor)
This session will explore the duality of the creative process: the freedom of uninhibited writing and the clarity of focused editing. We'll discuss techniques for separating these two stages to maximise creativity and productivity.
Week 7
Cultivating creativity
Delve into strategies for nurturing and sustaining your creativity as an ongoing practice. We'll explore habits and practices that can help you stay inspired, fuel creativity over the long term, and ensure a steady flow of new ideas to enrich your writing.
Week 8
Sustaining consistency
In the final session, we'll discuss strategies for maintaining a consistent writing practice beyond the programme. We'll reflect on progress, set future goals, and establish support systems to sustain writing habits.
![This is a happy little pencil.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6412183ffbc0b95e83f46e99/6603f143ba452623dc6db5f5_pencil-fill%20(1)%203.png)
Additional support
To support your journey, Write On Track also includes:
- A 1-on-1 coaching session worth $80 with Kelly where you can dig into writing/life balance, goal setting as a writer, or any other topics you want to work through with a professional coach.
- An annual FDP premium subscription worth $85 (if you already have an annual subscription, this will be added to your account as a credit for when your subscription renews).
- An First Draft Pro overview session to make sure you’re getting the most out of your premium subscription.
The above is the expected schedule; it is subject to change
What's included?
Write On Track is structured to give you the tools, support and community to mould your writing life, maintain momentum, and meet your project goals.
8 x 1.5-hour weekly group writing sessions, facilitated by Kelly Norwood-Young.
1 x 1-hour one-on-one professional coaching session.
An annual FDP premium subscription (if you already have an annual subscription, this will be added to your account as a credit for when your subscription renews).
An First Draft Pro overview session to make sure you’re getting the most out of your premium subscription.
![Writers in a writing group.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6412183ffbc0b95e83f46e99/666ac4a310c4e73a6941137b_IG%20-%20FDP%20Features.png)
FAQs
Everything you need to know about how the group will be run.
The entire 8-week program, 1-on-1 professional coaching (valued at $80), and annual FDP subscription (valued at $85) costs $430.
Kelly Norwood-Young is a seasoned book editor and proofreader with comprehensive experience across various facets of manuscript editing. Her background includes roles at Pan Macmillan and Penguin Books, extending into a successful freelance career working with award-winning authors. Kelly’s work, known for its precision and sensitivity to the author’s voice, has been integral to the success of both new and established writers globally.
Beyond her editing career, Kelly has an extensive background in communication, storytelling, coaching, marketing and strategic business development — uniquely positioning her to guide others through transformative change, and making her a trusted book editor and coach.
The eight-week writing groups will be run on Mondays (12pm CEST/ 6am ET) OR Thursdays (6.30pm CET/ 12.30 ET) from 15 July to 6 September 2024. You’ll choose your time slot when you register, so make sure you can attend regularly at that time. You will receive a detailed schedule before the sessions begin.
If you already have an annual First Draft Pro subscription, the new subscription will be added to your account as a credit, extending your subscription period.
Yes, if you can't make the current session times, you can join our waiting list. We will notify you when new sessions are scheduled that might fit your availability. Please reach out to kelly[at]chapterchange[dot]co.
There won't be formal homework assignments, but ideas and prompts will naturally arise during the sessions that you may wish to explore in your own time. The session topics and content are designed to meet you where you are, allowing you to engage as deeply as you choose. The time commitment is flexible and tailored to your personal goals and schedule.
You will need a First Draft Pro account for the writing software component. The group sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Detailed instructions and links will be provided after registration.
Yes, all sessions will be recorded. If you miss a session, you will be able to access the recording at your convenience.
You can book your one-on-one coaching session at a mutually agreed upon time that suits both you and the coach. You have until the end of 2024 to book your session and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule. If time zones or schedules don't match up initially, we will work with you to find a suitable time.
In the unlikely event that a mutually convenient time cannot be arranged, we will provide alternative support options, such as extended email support or an additional group session.
The 1-on-1 coaching session will focus on your individual writing goals, helping you balance writing with other life responsibilities, and addressing any specific challenges you face in developing a consistent writing practice.
If you need additional support, you can schedule extra coaching sessions with Kelly at a discounted rate for program participants. Please contact us for more information.
If you are unable to attend a session, you can watch the recording at your convenience.
Yes, to ensure a high-quality, interactive experience, the group size is limited. This allows for personalised attention and meaningful interactions.
If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us at least 10 days before the start of the programme for a full refund. Cancellations made after this period may be eligible for a partial refund or credit towards future sessions.