You want to write a novel. You tried doing it alone.

Now you have us in your corner.

They said, "Just keep writing."

But if you're reading this page, I'm guessing you already tried that. 

And yes, there is a ton of writing advice available online. 

But if you're a busy person (like me), you might not want to keep sifting through all that advice to find the right approach. Maybe you would just like a straightforward path forwards that's designed just for you. 

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to skip over the next series of lessons and handouts, and just get clear on the core practices, habits, and skills you need to actually get this book written?

I would like to invite you to apply to our deluxe coaching program, Novel Development Plus. This program has a few remarkable features, so read on to see if this sounds exciting to you.

It's application based and we only work with a small number of writers at a time: once you apply, I'll respond and let you know if your project sounds like a great fit for what we offer.

What is Novel Development plus?

This is serious guidance from two trained writing coaches: we will support you, advise you, and answer your questions for the next four months.

Our goal is not just to talk about writing, or expect to get it done on your own: we'll combine transformative lessons with attainable goals and supportive accountability. 

If your schedule allows, we would like to begin strong: you'll meet both me and my trained implementation coach each week for the first two weeks, in order to equip you with the simple but effective skills you'll need, fine tune and clarify your vision, goals, and plot, and get you writing. 

Once you are moving, we'll be in touch with carefully picked lessons, accountability check ins, and reviews of your writing so you always feel guided and supported.

My goal is, firstly, to help you design a working plot that delivers on your original vision and, secondly, to equip you with a streamlined craft toolkit so you know how to write great scenes, chapters, and story arcs.

Your implementation coach's goal will be to help you set targets and get everything you need to move forwards.

The program costs $3,500 at full price. This inaugural round will cost $2,500 (and there is a three month payment plan).

Unlimited* advice by text

Got a question about your plot, the writing process, your POV choices? Text me and, depending on the question, either I or your implementation coach will respond within 24 hours.

(We'll use a free messaging app called Voxer so your writing life is kept separate from your regular texts and voice mail.)

* This is the opening round, so I am unsure what the typical texting frequency will be. I'm picturing 1-3 conversation areas a week, each time beginning with a relatively short question. This is not meant to reduce your support but just to acknowledge the limits of texting. At times, if a topic becomes too long to discuss on text, we may suggest booking a meeting with your implementation coach so we can answer your questions with real depth.

Additionally: we will take Xmas, New Year's Day, and any other holidays off: replies will be slower then. 

What's included?

We Start Strong: Your First Two Weeks

In the first two-three weeks, we'll meet four times to work through doubt and fears, solve plotting problems, build momentum, and get you headed in the right direction.

Ideal coaching timeline (can be adjusted based on your schedule):

The Quick Win Opening: 

• Week 1: Session with Daniel (How to Write a Compelling Scene) + Implementation coaching session (getting you set up to succeed)
• Week 2: Session with Daniel (Your Story Plan) + Implementation coaching session (accountability & planning)

Then We Keep You Moving: Weeks 3-16

• Week 3-4: Session with Daniel (Narration & POV—how to deliver information efficiently while you're writing scenes)
• Week 4-5: Session with Daniel (Pacing & Structure—building acts with momentum)
• Weeks 6, 8, and 12: Implementation coaching check-ins (accountability, troubleshooting, goal-setting)

Throughout All 4 Months:

• Unlimited Voxer Access: Text me or your implementation coach anytime with questions. Get unstuck in real-time.
• Outline & Chapter Feedback: Submit outlines and early chapters for detailed written feedback

Total: 4 strategic sessions with Daniel + 5 implementation coaching sessions (45 min each) + 4 months of support

WHY THE TWO-COACH MODEL WORKS

Why two coaches? 

Because the "how" and the "what" of art are really different things. 

When you meet me, I focus on the "what" of your story: what might a great scene be for this story? What should the ending be? You get me at my very best, solving plot problems, suggesting possibilities from the ideas you already have, and teaching you the precise skills you need to write the next part of your story.

And then, once the path ahead is clearer, your implementation coach comes in to help you execute and deliver. They focus their full attention on the "how," helping you make time for writing and checking up that you are staying accountable.

what you can share with us

In addition to the ongoing Q and A over text message, you can also share your outline or plan up to three times: once with me at the start, and twice more with your implementation coach.

You can also share, if you wish, up to three chapters (again, one with me at the start and two more with your coach).

WHO THIS IS FOR

Novel Development Plus is designed for writers who:

• Have been trying to start or finish a novel for months or years
• Are tired of self-study and want direct, expert guidance
• Value their time and want results 
• Are ready to commit to steady work over 4 months
• Can invest $2,500 in their writing career

WHO THIS IS NOT FOR

This probably isn't right if you:

• Prefer working entirely independently
• Are looking for line editing or proofreading (this is developmental coaching)
• Aren't ready to be guided on what story structure will actually work (you don't actually want to change anything in your current plan).

HOW IT WORKS

Step 1: Complete the application (short form about your project)

Step 2: I'll review and let you know if it's a good fit

Step 3: Sign up and complete intake questionnaire

Step 4: We begin! Your first session is scheduled within 1-2 weeks

Step 5: Intensive first 2 weeks (4 sessions), then ongoing support over 4 months

Step 6: You finish with a clear plan, strong foundation, confidence, and momentum to complete your novel

Refund policy

This is a live-taught program with multiple coaches; a lot of the work comes early for us as we discuss your project and design a coaching plan. We want you to be happy, so if anything is amiss please let us know (by text or in one of our meetings), but there is not a standard refund policy. 

at the end of the program

As the four months come to a close, we'll provide you will a plan and guidance for how we think you should keep working to maintain your progress. 

Optional extras:

This program is meant to take the place of self-study online courses (you get tailored advice live). However, if you or your coach discover that one of my core courses would be helpful, we will gladly give you full access to that course while the program is running.

What do writers think of my coaching?

"Daniel Wallace gives smart, clear-headed editorial advice and his services are well worth every penny. Even working with a literary agency, going through rewrites, I had not received this level of attentiveness, this kind of sensitivity to the project at hand. Daniel responded quickly and was generous with feedback.

His suggestions have helped enormously--and he is particularly astute about issues of plotting, and whether the structure is serving the characters and their story. I hope Daniel Wallace is still accepting clients when I finish my next novel, because his service is invaluable."

- Martha Otis 

Since I created Novel Development, I've worked with dozens of writers who are hard at work at fascinating, engaging novels. And the feedback from those writers is pretty clear: they love it. 

How do you join Novel Development plus?

"I had a story lurking in the back of my mind for the past two years, and I kept not writing it because I didn’t know where to start, much less how to tell the story as it deserved to be told. Then I had the chance to work with Daniel as a mentor, and the experience of Novel Development was an eye-opener.

He understood my idea from my initial ramblings -- not just what it was about, but also my style, my inspiration, my characters… and over the following meetings, he helped me discover the very best version of that story I’d been too afraid to write. And through it all, his advice remained true to my idea.

I know I wouldn’t have written this novel without his help, but it’s more than simply existing, the novel is now the best and truest version of itself."

- Ron C. Nieto, author of the Faerie Sworn series

The Four core activities we'll work on together

We won't require you to learn a dictionary of craft terms. After working with a LOT of writers over the years, I'll discovered that writers need to focus their attention on these four skills -- to unlock their draft and start writing better than ever before.