Only 3% of writers actually finish a draft of their book.

 You don't have to go at it alone. We are here to help you complete yours! 

Fiction Foundations is a guided, self-paced program to help you build your first draft step-by-step. 


You're in the right place if you've ever asked questions like these:

  • What exactly is a "first draft" and what should I be aiming for?
  • Is it OK for my "first draft" to be a bit of a hot mess? 
  • What should I be thinking about early in the process?
  • How do I know my idea is good enough to sustain a whole novel?

At the end of this course, you'll have completed a first draft of your book.

THIS COURSE IS A PART OF STORYTELLING COLLECTIVE'S LITERARY ARTS & CREATIVE PRODUCTIVITY WORKSHOP

What is a first draft?

The first draft of a novel, or any long-form piece of fiction, is you "putting the sand in the sandbox."

It's your whole story out of your head and onto paper. First drafts are messy by design, but they aren't without thought and planning.

Get this Course

Get the complete course with a one-time purchase and work through the material at your own pace.

Join the Collective

Join a community of storytellers and get ongoing access to Fiction Foundations included alongside your membership benefits.

How does a course about drafting actual help you finish one?

If you find that simply "diving in" without a plan isn't working for you, that's where we come in. We've designed actionable, step-by-step lessons about:

  • Vetting your ideas (and turning your idea into an actual premise)

  • Making an outline that actually works for you and makes sense to your brain

  • Developing compelling characters and determining their voice early in the process

  • Setting realistic milestones based on your actual life, schedule, and bandwidth

  • Learning about story structure, plotting methods, and leveraging tropes and archetypes

  • Creating an "action plan" when you feel stuck and want to give up

This is a self-paced, activity-based course

Here's a brief overview of the curriculum:

    1. Welcome to ✍️ FICTION FOUNDATIONS ✍️

    2. Get to Know the Storytelling Collective

    3. A Note from Ashley <3

    4. Download your companion workbook

    1. What *is* a First Draft?

    2. Finding a Story Worth Writing

    3. Turning Your Idea into a Premise

    4. Building Your Main Character

    5. Character Archetypes vs. Tropes

    6. Designing Character Motifs (And Why This Matters)

    7. Story Truths and Best Practices

    1. Common Plot and Narrative Structures

    2. An Overview of Common Plotting Methods

    3. The 8-Beat Skeleton

    4. Making Your Outline (And Why You Need One)

    5. Going from "Skeleton" to Outline

    6. Point of View and Voice

    1. Building a Drafting Habit

    2. Going from Outline to Draft

    3. Turning the Scene Starters into Scenes

    4. Navigating the Messy Middle

    5. Committing to Finishing

    6. You Finished Your Draft! What's Next?

    1. Placeholder Reference List

    2. Strategies for Navigating "Blank Page Paralysis"

    3. Writing Effective and Authentic Dialogue

    4. An Overview of the Revision Process: Suggested Stages

    5. [Video] The Gap: Ira Glass on the Creative Process

    6. [Video] The #1 Reason You're Not Reaching Your Goals

    7. [Video] 14 tips to help you finish your book even when your ADHD brain won't let you

    8. [Video] Applied Worldbuilding: The Marketplace Microcosm

About this course

  • $39.00
  • Lessons spread across three parts
  • Activities and discussions
  • Downloadable, printable workbook

Companion Workbook

Download the printable workbook and flesh out your story one activity at a time!

About the Instructor

Ashley Warren is a writer, educator, editor, and the founder of Storytelling Collective, a creative learning community that has supported thousands of writers and storytellers since 2018. With a background in literacy studies and education, Ashley is passionate about helping people develop their ideas, strengthen their craft, and discover what they’re capable of creating. She is a doctoral student pursuing an Ed.D in Literacy.

Her work spans fiction, tabletop roleplaying games, and narrative design, including co-authoring Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, Heckna, and Legendlore, among others. Her debut adult novel, The Altobella Automaton, was published by Fleuron Press in 2026.

As an instructor and mentor, Ashley believes that good creative instruction combines curiosity, thoughtful guidance, and practical tools that help learners make meaningful progress. Whether you're developing your first story or refining an established writing practice, she aims to make the creative process more approachable, rewarding, and sustainable.

Plus, your registration includes:

  • Help and support from your instructor

  • Access to a private Discord channel

  • Access to the course and any future course updates

  • Support, encouragement, and accountability from the StoCo community

Get this Course

Get the complete course with a one-time purchase and work through the material at your own pace.

Join the Collective

Join a community of storytellers and get ongoing access to Fiction Foundations included alongside your membership benefits.