Course unlocks Thursday 1 January 2026.
Whether you're looking to refresh your writing routine or just need a some structure to your writing practices, we've got you covered!
Set aside 15 minutes a day to develop new skills, and cultivate a healthy, inspiring and accountable writing routine.
Let’s make writing a part of your daily routine!
£30 for the full course, yours forever.
Giving The Writing Life as a gift?
Thinking of gifting The Writing Life? Here are a few important things to know:
The course launches on 1 January 2026, while our office is closed for Christmas. Because gift transfers are a manual process, we may not be able to transfer your purchase to your recipient at launch. The email used at checkout will receive the automatic receipt, so you may prefer not to purchase in your giftee’s name.
Your options:
- Gift the course in advance and let your recipient know they’ll receive the purchase receipt, as well as the daily reminder emails at launch
- Buy the course using your email and forward the daily emails to your recipient until we return on Friday 2 January (note: requests may not be processed immediately)
- Ask your recipient to create their own account and purchase the course themselves, using your payment details or arranging reimbursement
Questions?
Please contact us! We are in the office until Monday 22 December (9am-5pm GMT) by email academy@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk or phone (+44) 01603 877177.
'I am at the early stage of my development as a writer and this really helped give me step-by-step structure. This is my first course with NCW so it gave me first hand experience of what you can provide - at an exceptionally good price.'
– Brian Oldman
For just £1 a day, you’ll receive…
- 30 original writing tasks, each taking no more than 15 minutes to complete
- Friendly advice and supportive teaching from Holly Ainley, our Head of Programme and lover of stories
- A mix of written, video, audio, and visual content
- Suggested further reading from some of the great writers, past and present
- Tailored, supplementary resources from our extensive digital library, The Writing Hub
- Recommendations for your next steps, along with an exclusive discount on other NCW Academy products.
The Writing Life prompts: Unlocked daily
'It was enjoyable and made me find time to write in my extremely busy creative and family life… I have written many lectures and academic articles but this has made me consider the benefits of more personal writing and I will continue.'
– March 2025 participant
Daily sparks include…
- Engaging all five senses to create vivid, immersive experiences
- Drawing on nature and weather to reflect emotions and experiences
- Shaping characters through the items they carry
- Mapping out plot using a three-part structure
- Analysing film clips to draft and refine dialogue
- Using music to inspire mood and ideas while writing
- Exploring new forms by writing between or beyond the lines of existing works
- Writing from the perspective of animals
Presented by NCW Academy, the home for creative writers. Produced by National Centre for Writing.
Writer: Sarah Bower
Content Editor: Steph McKenna
Host: Holly Ainley