Structure your Story
A hands-on, half-day workshop
to shape your novel or memoir.
Thursday 8 October 2026, 2–5pm UK
Live on Zoom
Who is this for?
This workshop is for novelists and memoirists – anyone writing something with a protagonist and a narrative arc. If your book has a main character (even if that’s you!), this will work for you.
(This one isn't designed for subject- or argument-led non-fiction, self-help, business books, popular science, how-tos etc. If that's your book, get in touch and I'll point you somewhere more useful.)
Does this sound like you?
You've got a great story idea, but you're not sure how to actually turn it into a book.
You're 30k – or 60k – words in, and you’re stuck on what happens next.
You've had feedback that the pacing sags, or the middle is a mess, but you don't know how to fix it.
You've pinned down certain moments in your story, but can't work out how to join the dots between them.
You’ve got a messy first draft and don’t know how to tame it, so you edit your opening (again) instead.
You've tried to get your head around ‘story structure’ before, got overwhelmed by the sheer number of competing models, and never got round to applying any of it.
Understanding structure is the number one thing that makes the difference between a hot mess of a draft and a story that satisfies readers. Wherever you're starting from, you'll leave this session with a plan.
You'll leave with...
The shape of your story plotted out, with clarity on the key moments in your book.
A deeper understanding of your protagonist's narrative arc and how that relates to plot.
A practical understanding of key terms and the structural elements that keep readers turning the page, that you can apply to any story.
But this isn't just a webinar with theory to take away and apply on your own. You'll do the work in the room, on your own project.
What we'll cover...
I'll be sharing my own method – a mix of classic story structure and character development – showing you how I actually apply these ideas in my own novels.
I'll be drawing on some well-known structural theories – like Freytag's triangle and Save the Cat's three-act structure – and I’ll show you how to pick and combine what's useful for your story, rather than trying to force your book into someone else's shape. We'll aim for clarity, not confusion!
We'll work through:
Why structure matters, and how it helps you write something readers can't put down.
My approach to shaping a story, and how it applies across fiction and memoir.
Your protagonist's goals, wants and needs; the difference between them and how they drive your story.
The key structural beats, and how to find them in your own work.
Small-group sharing: get feedback and meet other writers.
Live feedback and Q&A with me
What to bring
A project – fiction or memoir, at any stage.
A protagonist, real or invented – you need to know who you want to write about.
A sense of where your story starts, and where it might be headed.
That's it! Early planning stage, mid-draft, or a completed manuscript you want to develop or sense-check, all are welcome. You don't need polished writing or a complete draft. You do need to know what you're writing and who it's about.
About your host
I'm a novelist with four books published, including The Coffin Path, an Amazon bestseller and HWA Gold Crown nominee. I'm a Fulbright Fellow, a Royal Literary Fund Fellow, and a qualified writing coach. I've spent well over a decade teaching and coaching writers through all stages of the book-building process. Helping writers find and refine their stories is 100% my thing.
‘I first reached out to Katherine when I was encountering structural challenges in my novel, along with significant doubts about my own writing... Katherine coached, guided, advised and generously shared her knowledge of both writing and the industry, which gave me the confidence and tools I needed. I now have a clear roadmap.’
Natalie Adams Perrin, Writer (on working with Katherine 1:1)
‘When I started working with Katherine, I had just begun writing a new novel. At the time, the research, ideas and wrestling with the narrative felt so unwieldy that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. Katherine very gently helped me to zero in on what should go where, how much I could accomplish and at what speed.'
Carrie Hayes, author of The Making of Marigold McGrath and more (on working with Katherine 1:1)
This workshop is part of a series
Structure Your Story is the first of three linked workshops running this autumn.
Each stands alone, but together they take you from clarifying your story shape, through drafting a working synopsis, to writing a pitch paragraph to help you talk about – and sell – your book with confidence.
1. Structure Your Story — Thursday 8 October 2026
2. Write Your Synopsis — Saturday 7 November 2026
3. Write Your Pitch Paragraph — Thursday 3 December 2026
Pricing
£65 per workshop (£195 for all three)
Inkwell members save 33% on any number of workshops — access your discount code via email.
Simply enter the code at checkout.
With discount:
1 workshop: £43
2 workshops: £86
3 workshops: £129 (pay for two, get the third free)
The Inkwell is my newsletter and online writers' community, hosted on Substack. It costs £80 a year to join (or £8 a month). We gather weekly for Coffee & Co-writing sessions, and regularly for workshops covering common challenges for writers, such as dealing with rejection, or breaking through creative blocks. The Inkwell Podcast gives members the chance to have writing questions answered directly by me.
Join The Inkwell to unlock your discount. You'll get your discount code in your welcome email.
FAQ
What if I can't make it live?
The session will be recorded, and you'll get access to the replay.
Will I get feedback on my own work?
You'll share and get feedback from other writers in small groups (if you want), and I'll be answering questions during the session too, though with a live group this size, I can't promise individual feedback on everyone's project. The value is in doing the work live, with support, so you leave with real progress.
I'm already an Inkwell member – how do I get my discount?
Current members will find your code in emails sent about this workshop, and relevant posts on The Inkwell website. Simply enter your code at checkout. If you can’t find your code, get in touch.
I want to join The Inkwell and get the discount – how do I do that?
Subscribe to The Inkwell here. Choose an monthly or annual paid membership. If you don't have a Substack account you will be asked to create a free account and enter your card details. (All payments for The Inkwell go through Substack.) You'll get a welcome email, which will include your discount code and the link to book your spot. Simply enter the code at checkout to get 33% off. If you don't get your welcome email, please check your spam/junk folders, and your Promotions tab if you use Gmail. If you still can't find it, contact me here: https://katherineclements.co.uk/contact
What if I don't have a work-in-progress yet?
If you have a project in mind, you know who your main character will be (real or imagined), and a rough idea of where your story starts and what might happen, this will help clarify your ideas. If you are not at that stage yet, this probably isn't the right workshop for you. It is best for those who are actively working on developing a project.
I'm writing a memoir, not a novel – is this still for me?
Yes. The structural principles apply whether your protagonist is invented or is you.
What's your cancellation & refund policy?
Cancellation Policy for Workshop Bookings
1. Bookings for online workshops may be cancelled up to 7 days before the date of the workshop. Cancellation requests must be made directly to me by email, by the person named on the booking. A refund will be issued to the original payment card, minus a £5 admin fee to cover transaction fees.
2. Cancellation requests received after the deadline will not be eligible for a refund.
3. Refunds are not available for participants who do not attend the event.
4. I reserve the right to cancel any workshop due to low enrolment or other circumstances that would make the event unviable. In such a case, participants will receive a full refund.
Are you in?
3 hours. Come with your work-in-progress, your ideas, and an open mind.
Leave with a clear structural plan for your novel or memoir.
