Creative Writing: What is a Novel & Is Genre Important?

What is a novel? Is it constrained by genre? How do you define a book anyway? Join Iain McKinnon to help demystify genre and expectations.
About this Event

Module 3: What is a Novel? & Understanding Genre

Demystify the form, define your story, and find your place on the shelf

What is a novel, really? Is it just a long piece of fiction — or something more? And what about genre — does it help define your work or box it in?

In this thought-provoking session, Iain McKinnon challenges conventional definitions of the novel and explores the shifting, often misunderstood world of genre. Drawing on examples from Homer to Cervantes to Christie, he unpacks what qualifies as a novel and how authors throughout history have played with (and pushed against) the boundaries of form.

📚 In this workshop, you'll:

• Explore how the novel has evolved across history, cultures, and technologies
• Examine classic and contemporary examples to question: is it a novel, or not?
• Break down the concept of genre, from literary to commercial, and everything in between
• Learn how to use genre to your advantage in developing your story and marketing your book
• Identify common tropes and clichés to embrace, subvert, or avoid

This session will not only broaden your understanding of storytelling forms, but also empower you to define your voice and positioning as an author with confidence.

💻 All handouts, genre guides and reflective exercises are available at www.iain-mckinnon.com.

🎓 Whether you're writing an epic fantasy or a literary novel, this workshop gives you the context and clarity to move forward with creative freedom — and market-savvy.

Module 1: Introduction to Creative Writing, Rules & PURPOSE
Module 2: Metrics, Motivation & Productivity
Module 3: What is a Novel & Genre
Module 4: Plot
Module 5: Character
Module 6: Theme
Module 7: Word Choice
Module 8: Writing Scenes – SORCA
Module 9: Dialogue
Module 10: World Building
Module 11: Language Building
Module 12: Narrative Positioning & Description over Exposition
Module 13: Concept Mapping
Module 14: Constraint and Creativity
Module 15: Defamiliarization & NLP
Module 16: Suspense, Tension, Hooks & Cliffhangers & LOCK
Module 17: Editing
Module 18: Drafting your Novel with ChatGPT
Module 19: From Hook to Inbox: Blurbs, Synopses & Query Letters for Novelists
Module 20: Author Function – Social Media Guide

http://www.iain-mckinnon.co.uk/creative-writing-course.html

Secure your spot today and let's embark on this transformative writing course together!