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Finding Starting Points

(5 customer reviews)

Original price was: £25.00.Current price is: £0.00.

Beat the Blank Page

Finding Starting Points is a self-paced online course designed to help you finally begin your play. FREE for a limited time (till end Sept 2026, then £40). 

Start Anywhere. Start Today.

You might have an idea but you don’t know where to begin. Or perhaps you’re struggling with the dreaded *writer’s b/o€K*.

Most writers struggle with starting. You’re not stuck, you’re overwhelmed.

Finding Starting Points gives you a simple way to beat the blank page and generate material fast. No pressure. No deadlines. Just clear, practical steps to get you writing.

Description

Why this course works

Are you staring at a blank page? Do you have a story in but no way in?

You don’t need the “right” idea before you begin.

You need:

  • A framework that helps formulate your thoughts.
  • Focused exercises designed to mine your imagination for a theme, characters, and a conflict.
  • An opening conflict that’s ready to pop.

The Problem isn’t the Blank Page – It’s the Pressure

Preparing a script for submission, Finding New Starting Points

Many writers freeze not because they lack ideas, but because they’re dragged down by:

  • Perfectionism – the belief that the first draft should be brilliant
  • Fear of getting it wrong – writing is a journey of discovery but ideas emerge incomplete. What intincts do you trust?
  • Overthinking – trying to solve the whole play before committing a single word to the page.

Finding Starting Points guides you into an idea and takes you on a pressure-free journey of discovery. Your ideas don’t need to be perfect – they just need to exist.

Beat the blank page with practical exercises designed that get ideas out of your head and onto the page. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or getting it “right”. Getting it down is enough to start.

Write with a pen

person holding blue ballpoint pen writing in notebook
Photo by picjumbo.com on Pexels.com

You can absolutely use your computer for this module — but I recommend going old‑school. Grab a notebook and a pen that feels good in your hand. Keep everything you write as you go.

The aim is simple: write fast and don’t edit. Resist the urge to cross things out or tidy as you write. Let the mess happen. Let the words tumble out. Let yourself discover what you’re trying to say rather than control it.

This is about flow, not polish. The page will make sense later. For now, just get the thoughts down.

Suitable for playwrights, authors, and poets

While WriteForTheStage focuses on playwriting, writers from all disciplines have found this module invaluable for developing new ideas.

Whether you’re a playwright, poet, novelist, or somewhere in between, Finding Starting Points guides you through a sequence of practical exercises that draw ideas out of your imagination and onto the page — organically, instinctively, and without pressure.

How the Course Beats the Blank Page

An open notebook and a pen for Finding Starting Points

Finding Starting Points gives you:

  • Repeatable techniques that generate material instantly
  • Short, focused exercises that challenge overwhelm
  • Multiple entry routes – we explore theme, character, and conflict to build a construct of tension that’s ready to pop
  • Exercises that unlock momentum in minutes
  • A pressure-free framework of discovery

What You’ll Learn

You’ll get 30 days of access to Finding Starting Points, offering:

  • Structured techniques that generate ideas fast — no waiting for inspiration; you get concrete methods that produce material on demand.
  • Exercises that unlock characters, themes, and conflict — each task is designed to reveal something you didn’t know you were holding.
  • A repeatable framework you can use for every new project — once you learn it, you can apply it again and again.
  • Short, focused lessons that fit into real life — as long as you have an internet connection, you can complete a module anywhere.
  • Momentum‑building tasks that get you writing within minutes — no overthinking, no pressure, just movement.
  • Confidence through doing — the exercises bypass perfectionism and get you into the habit of writing without judgement.
  • A 30‑day container that keeps you accountable without overwhelming you — enough time to explore, not enough time to drift.
  • Tools you can use offline — pen‑and‑paper friendly exercises that help you disconnect from the pressure of the screen.
  • A clear way into your next piece — by the end, you’ll have enough to start writing your play.

FAQs

Who is this course for?

Playwrights, authors, poets, and anyone who wants a practical way into their next piece. If you’re stuck, circling an idea, or struggling to begin, this course gives you clear starting points that get you writing fast.

Do I need a full idea before I start?

Not at all. The course is designed for writers who don’t have a clear idea yet. You’ll generate characters, themes, images, and conflicts as you go.

How long do I get access?

You get 30 days to work through the course at your own pace. Enough time to explore, not enough time to drift.

How long does it take to complete?

You can finish it in a weekend or spread it across the month. Each lesson is short, focused, and designed to fit around real life.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. The exercises are simple, practical, and pressure‑free. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just clear steps that help you begin.

Does it help experienced playwrights?

Yes. It’s ideal for generating new material, breaking out of a rut, or finding a fresh way into your next project.

Do I need any special equipment?

Just an online device, notebook, and a pen you enjoy writing with. You can write the exercises on your computer if you prefer, but the exercises work beautifully on paper.

What if I’m not confident in my writing?

That’s exactly who this course is for. You don’t need confidence — you need momentum. The exercises help you write without judgement or pressure.

How much does it cost?

£25 for 30 days of access. Self‑paced. No deadlines. No pressure.

Ready to find your starting point?

Your story is waiting.

Give yourself 30 days of gentle structure, practical exercises, and creative momentum.

Take the first step.

Any Questions?

Fill in the form below:

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5 reviews for Finding Starting Points

  1. Michael Rumney (verified owner)

    The Finding Starting Points course is an excellent resource for anybody wanting to write a play, novel or short story which has characters in them. Divided into three easy to follow modules, (the first module can be used for writing poetry) the course shows the difference between plot and theme and lets the writer answer the question, what is your work about? One tip having done the course, allow yourself time between modules, (at least an hour) to reflect on what you have written previously. The course allows you to produce an idea, progress a theme and develop characters in a way you may not have considered. With this course you will never be short of ideas. As part of the course Mike is offering an on-line 30 minute feedback for anyone completing the course. Invaluable for anyone wanting to take their work forward.

    • Mike Heath

      Thanks for the feedback, Michael. And thanks for the tip about leaving time between the lessons! A great idea. Thanks.

  2. Suzanne Robertshaw (verified owner)

    This course really helped me as a first time writer to formulate ideas and build characters. It brought structure and deadlines to my writing process and the constant prompts and reflection questions really helped me to delve deeper into what I was writing. It is full of nuggets (that I don’t want to give away) that I would never have thought of, had I not done the course. My confidence as a writer was really boosted after I completed the course and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of writing for a stage play.

    • Mike Heath

      Thank you for your feedback. Really glad the course was useful. 🙂

  3. Kieron Callow (verified owner)

    Brilliant resource for first-time writers, experienced authors and anyone in between.

    The course was pitched at a perfect level and helped elicit all the individual elements for writing an original piece – from finding characters to developing plot – in 3 comfortable and easy lessons.
    There’s also some great techniques for generatimg new ideas and for keeping the creativity flowing.
    I also love how Mike’s course could be used for writing poetry, prose or for the stage. Highly recommended – thanks!

    • Mike Heath

      Thanks, Kieron. 👍 I’m happy you found it helpful.

  4. Sarah Cassidy (verified owner)

    This course is perfect for both a new writer, but also a writer who has written a number of pieces and is struggling to find the inspiration for a new piece of writing (like I am/was).

    Mike’s course is just the tonic for finding a starting point, and having just completed the three modules I now have a theme, draft outlines for characters and a starting point for a brand new piece of writing.

    I particularly found module 1 to be really helpful in breaking down what I need to write next. I enjoy the timed tasks that were given, and i didn’t feel any pressure to come up with something spectacular as Mike gives us a suggestion for what to do if we are blocked during those timed exercises. As it was, I wasn’t actually blocked – I have a lot of things that I would like to write about, and through Mike’s guidance I narrowed this down to one theme and by the end of the course I have a solid starting point. I find being able to pause and then restart the exercise to be super helpful.

    Highly recommend this course.

    • Mike Heath

      Thanks for your comments, Sarah! Glad it was useful!

  5. Anna Macgowan (verified owner)

    40k words into my novel I’d ground to a halt. Totally stuck and no idea why it wasn’t working. This course broke the block by taking me right back to basics and clarifying the central themes and character motivations. A life-saver! Am now back on track with it all thanks to Mike and his unique, clear and motivating approach. Highly recommend for any writer. Thanks Mike

    • Mike Heath

      Thanks, Anna. Made up that it worked well for you!

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