When Jerry Jenkins’s people contacted me with the opportunity to test-drive his new writing program Your Novel Blueprint, I was totally on board.
A few months ago I pitched an idea for a novel to the Ontario Arts Council, along with a 20-page writing sample from the manuscript, and as a result I’ve received a substantial grant to help me write the novel.
Only one problem. The last two novels I tried to write never got past the first draft stage. I’ve been successful in writing and publishing short fiction but not a full-length novel. I figured Jerry’s experience could help me get a better handle on this whole novel-writing business and help me write the book I really want to write.
What is “Your Novel Blueprint”?
Your Novel Blueprint is a self-paced novel-writing course developed by Jerry Jenkins, who has written over 130 books (20 of them NYT bestsellers) and has sold tens of millions of books. Jerry developed Your Novel Blueprint to help mentor and guide you through the process of writing your own novel. The course will appeal to those who are working on mainstream or commercial fiction and who want to learn from someone who has achieved great success in the field.
This is no write-a-novel-in-30-days scam. Jerry acknowledges that writing a novel is hard work, but one that comes with enormous satisfaction and the ability to change lives.
Your Novel Blueprint is split into four sections comprising 58 modules in total. Each module contains high-quality videos of varying lengths, with Jerry discussing the intended topic. Highlights of each video are posted on each module page, along with any templates/worksheets referred to in the video so you can access them easily. The site is very easy to use, with a super simple layout.
The course calls itself a blueprint, but it’s not formulaic; for example, it allows for both outlining and pantsing, whichever comes more naturally to you. Jerry takes into consideration different styles of writing.
At times Jerry will put a cue into the videos for you to go and do something. This makes it easy to learn and grow while watching the videos, rather than watching and then forgetting to put his advice into practice.
What writing topics are covered in the course?
Jerry promises to give us everything he knows about novel writing, and after working my way through the course, I believe he’s done just that.
Your Novel Blueprint covers the following and more:
- inspiration, fear, and focus
- writing schedules and deadlines
- writing voice
- idea generation
- writing exercises
- character development
- plotting
- research/tools
- point of view
- outlining
- story structure
- character arc
- theme
- elevator pitch
- throat clearing
- perfectionism
- opening lines
- the first editing pass
- description
- pace
- endings
- self-editing techniques
In addition to this list of topics, the course provides these super-valuable extras:
- The opportunity to gain personalized video feedback from Jerry on your novel idea, before you write it
- A thorough 10-page edit of your manuscript from a traditionally published author handpicked by Jerry
- Several video-recorded manuscript critique demos—one of them three hours long and covering 10 full manuscript pages
- Bonus resources on next steps for writing query letters to agents and editors
- Access to recorded masterclasses with KM Weiland and Gabriela Pereira
- Access to a private Facebook group with over 300 members, where you can ask Jerry and your classmates questions
Best of all, if you finish your manuscript, you’ll get an invitation to an in-person mastermind session with Jerry and your classmates who have also finished their novels.
There’s so much meat here, I have no doubt it could take you six months to a year to work through it alongside writing your novel. On the other hand, the info is provided in bite-sized modules so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s just enough info to get you going but not so much that you become mired down in the learning without actually writing.
I’m offering a bonus 20-page critique!
The course is meant to be an investment in your writing (you get lifetime access to the materials when you sign up), so I want you to get the absolute best value possible. If you purchase Your Novel Blueprint through one of the affiliate links in this post, I will receive a commission (affiliate commissions help pay expenses for Write It Sideways). As a thank you gift, I’ll offer you a 20-page critique from me on top of the 10-page edit you get as part of the YNB program. (Just shoot me an email when you sign up for YNB, and I’ll send you some guidelines for the critique. This offer is void if you ask for a refund on the course through the 30-day money-back guarantee.)
Rather than giving us slick promises about how easy this program will make writing a novel, Jerry gives us all the tools we need to make the process possible. Not easy. Never easy. As with any program, you get what you put in. Jerry invites us to writing with excellence rather than ease.
Click here to gain lifetime access to Your Novel Blueprint and receive your bonus 20-page critique from me.
The course is only open from now until July 30th, 2021, and it only opens once per year.