
WRITE
YOUR NOVEL
Ditch “discipline and willpower” and write your novel with joy and purpose, using the Mindset + Mechanics method developed over 12+ years by workshop co-founder and award-winning author Susanna Daniel.
New in 2025! Our WYN Incubator runs April 1-30. Join us!
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New in 2025! Our WYN Incubator runs April 1-30. Join us! 〰️〰️〰️
Mindset + Mechanics = Manuscript
WYN is a practical framework for guiding writers through the novel drafting process, thoughtfully and painlessly.
Each WYN chapter includes nuts-and-bolts craft lessons you can put to use right away, actionable advice for tackling common challenges, and accountability check-ins to keep you motivated.
WYN is the guidance I needed when I was writing my first two novels, and it’s the approach I’ve used to coach 100+ novelists to The End.
— Susanna Daniel, author of STILTSVILLE + SEA CREATURES (HarperCollins) and co-founder of the Madison Writers’ Studio
What is WYN?
Strong Mindset Toolkit
Strategies for overcoming common creative challenges like imposter syndrome, busy schedules, fear of failure, and uneven craft skills.
Craft Skill Workshops
Concise, concrete craft lessons on point of view, dialogue, characterization, plotting, pacing, and more, with advice you can put to use right away.
Accountability Check-ins
Earn points and unlock chapters by making informed choices and completing assignments that push your novel forward.
Personalized Support
Get feedback on your novel and engage in the WYN community forum for answers to your pressing mindset and mechanics concerns.
Hi, I’m Susanna.
“I can’t recommend Susanna and her approach enough.”
I believe that writing is an act of bravery.
I've been helping novelists finish their books since co-founding the Madison Writer's Studio and leading my first Book in a Year workshop in 2013.
WYN includes everything I know about starting, getting through, and finishing a novel.
After earning my MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in 2001, it took me a grueling 10 years to finish my first novel.
In 2023, I finished my 4th novel in 8 months.
Mindset + Mechanics made all the difference.
The Mindset + Mechanics framework tackles everyday challenges like imposter syndrome, busy schedules, fear of failure, and uneven craft skills, and delivers smart, practical advice you can apply to your own work right away.
I'm the author of Stiltsville, winner of the PEN/Bingham prize, and Sea Creatures, a Target Book Club pick. My third and fourth novels, Battersea Road and Girlfriending, are represented by Emily Forland of the Brandt Hochman Agency; the publishing part of their story is just beginning.
You can do this. I can help.
If you’re not sure whether WYN is the right fit for you, feel free to schedule a chat with me to discuss your project goals.
“Susanna continually dazzles me with her quick yet comprehensive grasp of story and craft.”
“The chat with you yesterday was very helpful. I went from drowning in piles to having a plan to organize and move forward!”
Have you struggled to start or finish your novel? I have.
Do you struggle to make time for your creative work? I do.
With the Mechanics + Mindset approach, writing can be a satisfying, meaningful experience, and one of the bravest things you’ll ever do.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Think of WYN as an interactive workbook organized into mindset lessons and mechanics lessons, shaped in a way that’s meant to hold you accountable to your own creative goals. WYN offers a few modes of support, including videos, assignments, worksheets, and visuals. How quickly you can move forward depends on how quickly you finish each chapter’s lesson and check-in requirements.
For example, you can’t move from Chapter Three to Chapter Four without finishing your novel’s beginning and stress-testing it according to principles of great beginnings.
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WYN is a portal to my coaching. Every time you finish a chapter, you’ll submit an accountability check-in, which comes straight to me. I’ll be in touch to check on you and your goals throughout your WYN experience, and you can also schedule a meeting with me when you feel stuck or unclear.
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You'll have access to WYN for one year. Whether you're able to write your book in 3 months or need the whole year will depend on your life circumstances.
In Chapter One, we'll get honest about real-world challenges and expectations, and in Chapter Two we'll set some personal progress goals.
Remember: Any and all progress is progress.
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Wonderful! This course is geared toward writers of all genres, with a focus on plot, character, and language. Our goal is to keep the reader fully engaged in any genre.
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If you determine that the course isn't a good fit for you after enrolling, I'll refund your investment within 10 days.
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WYN is right for you if you have a story you want to tell, but you don't know where to start. Or if you're looking to get unstuck or simply write a little faster.
WYN is NOT right for you if you already have a dedicated, flourishing creative life.
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Nope! Writing a novel is hard. But it doesn't have to be isolating, and you don't have to get through the hard parts alone.
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After looking at the many course builders, I chose Esmerise, a streamlined CMS that's easy to use, comes with app so you can work on the fly, and includes a leaderboard and point system. (Not that writing is a competition!)
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Chapter 1 and 2 are available immediately to all writers starting on 10/21/2024.
Starting with Chapter 3, you'll have to write forward to unlock the rest of the chapters. This means you'll need at least a week and as long as 4-6 weeks before moving on.
Testimonials
The WYN Curriculum
24 video/audio craft lessons +
12 writing exercises +
12 custom novel blueprints +
12 accountability check-ins
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Your Mindset Toolkit
8 Keys to a Strong Mindset
Writing Exercises
Your Personalized Mindset Blueprint
Accountability Check-in
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The Most Crucial Writing Habit Is Also the Simplest
Writing is Math
A Book is the Sum of Its Parts: Get Organized
Your Personalized Weekly Writing Plan
Accountability check-in
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3 Early Choices to Start Strong
Elements of a Great Beginning
Great Beginnings Examples
Your Novel's Narrative Drive Blueprint
Accountability Check-in
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Why POV is More than POV
Narrative Distance: Inside, Not Beside
Omniscience: Getting it Right
A Study in Effective 1st Person
Accountability Check-in
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Situation vs Story
Guide to Plotting
Scene vs Exposition
Narrative Modes: Your 3 Options
Accountability Check-in
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5 Reasons We Can’t Write Sometimes
6 Tips for Overcoming a Block
Accountability Check-in
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4 Pillars of Your Killer Character + How to Plot Them
6 Ways to Make Your Character Evolve
Getting to Know Your Character(s)
Character Arc Summary
Accountability Check-in
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Making a Great Scene
Vivid Scene Analysis
Great Scene Examples
Scene-building Exercise
Accountability Check-in
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How to Keep the Faith
5 Messy Middle Road Signs
How to Thrive in Quicksand
Accountability Check-in
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Dialogue Best Practices
Choosing Verbatim vs Summarized Dialogue
Dialogue Attribution Guide
Dialogue Writing Exercise
Your Novel's Dialogue Blueprint
Accountability Check-in
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Why Setting Matters
Understanding Pacing
Scene v Exposition
Writing is Sedimentary
Your Writing Strengths Checklist
Accountability check-in
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Writing a Great Logline
Theories of Revision
Revision Prep and Timelines
A Guide to Beta Readers
Savoring Your Finished Draft
Map Your Novel's Plot Beats
Clean Page Revision
A Guide to Querying
Your Revision Strategy

Get writing. Keep writing.

$199 (access for 90 days)
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3 short videos
3 Mindset Myths
8 Essentials of a strong Mindset
Accountability Check-in + feedback
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3 short videos
The Most Crucial Writing Habit is Also the Simplest
Busting the Free Time Myth
2 Accountability check-ins + feedback
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5 videos
3 Starting Choices
Elements of a Great Beginning
Examples of Great Beginnings
Agents Weigh in on Great Beginnings
2 Accountability check-ins + feedback
$99/mo (7-day free trial)
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30 clear, actionable video lessons
20 Accountability check-ins + feedback
Downloadable app (optional)
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I’ll be with you the whole way. I’ll respond to your accountability check-ins and be available for office hours and pep talks.
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You have 7 days to see if WYN is right for you. After that, keep your membership going until you’re ready to go it alone.
$975 (access for 365 days)
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30 clear, actionable video lessons
20 Accountability check-ins + feedback
Downloadable app (optional)
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I’ll be with you the whole way. I’ll respond to your accountability check-ins and be available for office hours and pep talks.
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Take 7 days to see if WYN is right for you, during which time I’ll refund all but $199 of your investment (and you’ll continue to have access to Chapter 1-3 for 90 days).

Try a chapter for just $99 each

$99 (access for 30 days)
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Plotting Basics
Situation vs Story
Scene vs Exposition
Narrative Modes: Your 3 Options
$99 (access for 30 days)
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4 Pillars of Your Killer Character + How to Plot Them
6 Ways to Make Your Character Evolve
Getting to Know Your Character(s)
Character Arc Summary
