Most writers who stall aren’t short on talent or dedication. They’re short on a repeatable way to get from page one to done. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
I’m Shereen Malherbe, an author with 15 years in publishing, a 2026 Neustadt International Prize juror, and the founder of The Noble Narrative. I want to tell you more about it as we approach our first year since launch! As many of you know, I am known as an author. Few of you may know my story to becoming a novelist and the challenges I faced along the way. I have been in the situation many emerging writers are in and I was wondering about two things:
- How can I help new writers?
- How can I help writers who are struggling for access?
These two questions led to the launch of my new storytelling platform, The Noble Narrative – an ethical creative writing programme designed to turn ambitious writers into novelists.
Because novel writing isn’t just about inspiration and muses, it is also about technical structure, a plan, understanding what the industry looks for…and so much more. So, with all of my experience, I wanted to the opportunity to give back and so I embarked on a new idea to bring all of this together – with access for all.
Demystifying the novel-writing process
My main priority was demystifying the novel-writing process. What if I could teach other writers how to turn their ideas into finished, industry-ready novels?
Well, almost 10 months into the launch and we have some feedback…it is working!
Writers have enrolled in my course, I have conducted workshops and mentored one-to-one sessions all aligned with my main methodology I built into my course.
Alexandra Toms had been stuck on her novel for three to four years. She enrolled in my hybrid online course, ‘The Storyteller’s Blueprint’ in January and finished her first readable draft at the end of July. She told me she had finally found a repeatable “Blueprint” for writing, where before she had relied on instinct and never finished.
You can read more on our Testimonials page. We’re also now on Trustpilot, where new reviews are coming through from writers we’ve worked with. Check them out and see for yourself how my method is helping writers achieve their goals.
Planning is where stalled novels go wrong
In October I taught “How to Plan Your Novel” for the Emirates Literature Foundation. In a single afternoon, a room of writers built a character, a structure and a scene plan, and they left with a plan for writing or fixing their drafts.
If you couldn’t be there, you haven’t missed out. The method I taught is already built into the eight modules of The Storyteller’s Blueprint. It’s my own working methodology, and I haven’t held back.
You also don’t need hours a day. The course includes habit-stacking tips, such as writing one paragraph with your morning coffee, and many of our writers fit it around work and family.
What you get when you join
- Eight modules that take a novel from intention to ink, wherever you’re writing from
- An ethical checklist that helps you tell hard stories without harming the communities in them
- A review of up to 5,000 words of your manuscript from me when you graduate
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment, the start of a new month is as good as any. Join The Storyteller’s Blueprint.
The course also funds places for writers facing financial or circumstantial barriers. Four places have been funded so far, and every full-price enrolment helps keep that going. If you think you may be eligible, you can apply via our Scholarship page. That is part of my commitment making it accessible to all.
To see the impact we are making, join us!
Kind regards,
Shereen Malherbe
Founder, The Noble Narrative
