Your writing mentor Daren King
Work alongside an award-winning author on your novel
Work alongside an award-winning author on your novel
Daren King (view his author website) is an award-winning English novelist. His debut novel, Boxy an Star, was shortlisted for the 1999 Guardian First Book Award and longlisted for the 1999 Booker Prize.
His first children’s novel, Mouse Noses on Toast, won first prize in the 6-8 age category of the Nestle Children’s Book Prize. His books have been published around the world, including Canada and the US, and have been translated into Italian, German and Russian.
Specialises in: Crime, thriller, sci-fi and fantasy.
Daren provides tution for the Complete Novel Mentoring Service.
Daren has helped dozens of writers go on to write brilliant books, get published and even get longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. When it comes to helping writers getting the best out of themselves – no one knows more than Daren King.
Most successful published authors I know – myself included – learnt to write the hard way: through trial and error.
Ultimately, the only way to hone your skills is to sit down and write; but your learning curve will be considerably less steep with an experienced author to guide. I believe that good writing can be taught. Certainly, I was not born able to write. My own writing skills began to come together during my mid-twenties, when a university lecturer—herself a published author—explained to me that the last word in a sentence tends to carry the most emphasis. I had to figure out the rest myself, and this took several years and a vast amount of work, all the while not knowing for certain I would ever get published at all. It is not uncommon for an unpublished author to spend two years working on a project only to discover—perhaps after sending their manuscript to an organisation such as Jericho Writers—that they have written the entire novel in the wrong voice or from the wrong viewpoint, or that the plot begins halfway through.
Whether writing a commercial children’s novel like Mouse Noses on Toast or a literary novel like Boxy an Star, I always take a structured, methodological approach. There are unpublished writers who shudder at the thought of following a methodology. Surely rules and restrictions will curtail their creativity? In fact, more freedom is the last thing most writers need.
If you are setting out on a career as an author of plot-driven fiction—perhaps crime thrillers, historical romances, fantasy, children’s adventure fiction or horror—I can teach you the methodology I have developed over some years while planning my forthcoming crime thriller The Men and the Women. I am sure you know how painful it is to stare at a blank page or screen, scratching your head, waiting for ‘inspiration’ to strike.
More often than not it doesn’t, and you end up with prose that feels contrived, and lacks insight or any real sense of direction my method avoids this trap by enabling you to create a highly structured rough draft, first by developing a single line synopsis into an increasingly detailed plot outline, and secondly by building up the scenes in layers.
Those of you who wish to master literary fiction—works driven by characterisation, theme or voice—may prefer a less structured approach. I can help you explore your characters and themes and develop your voice, and lead you through the techniques and concepts which I have developed while writing my own literary fiction. I can teach you a concept which ensures that your novel’s premise can be felt in every sentence; and how to keep your reader with you by rooting your more abstract and emotive passages in a concrete reality.
Most crucially, whatever type of fiction you choose to write, I will teach you how to perfect your use of language, so that you can tell your story with confidence and style.
“I signed up for Daren’s course … as I felt that, in order to go forward with my writing and give myself a fighting chance of one day producing something commercially viable, I needed outside help. I feel I have gained so much from working with him, and I am extremely grateful to have had the benefit of his patience and expertise.“
Jill Cowley – USA
“I wanted to say how happy I am that you steered me to Daren. Having a mentor is the best thing I have done in my writing career. After a week I was inspired and feel so positive in my direction. Daren is so professional and after a short time, I am impressed with his input and total professionalism. “
Les E – UK
“Daren’s service was thorough, insightful and of tremendous value. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. I would happily take the course again and my guess is that it would be just as beneficial second time around. I have recently submitted my finished novel to various London agents, and one has offered representation.“
Paul Ryan – Ireland
“Daren has been a brilliant mentor and has provided invaluable help and insight. He has given me advice in relation to all aspects of the book, from plotting and structure, to fine linguistic details. I’m not sure I could have finished it without him. I am pleased to say that I now have an agent.“
Eve Harris – UK
‘The Marrying of Chani Kaufman’ longlisted for the Booker Prize
Agent submission builder
Get an agent in one hour
Indie marketing masterclass
A self-publishing essential
How to write a novel
Your free, expert tutorials
Thanks
Thank you for submitting your details
Now check your inbox
LET’S MAKE GETTING AN AGENT A BIT EASIER
Download your FREE submission pack template
Write a succinct synopsis, the easy way
Write a professional query letter, the easy way
Based on over twelve years of working with agents
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Solve your self-publishing problems
How to write great book descriptions
How to choose categories & keywords
How to get a great book cover
We’ve got 3 FREE videos for you
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Plotting a book is hard
Download your FREE plotting worksheets
Build a strong underlying story structure
Ensure your characters evolve with the plot
Make the hardest part of writing that little bit easier
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Thanks for contacting Jericho Writers
We will now review your request and get in touch with you.
The agent submissions builder
Write a perfect query letter and a brilliant synopsis. In just one hour.
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Edit easy, edit fast
Redraft your manuscript like a pro, with this easy guide
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
The Idea Generator
Get better ideas faster, with this simple guide
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.