90-Day Novel Testimonials

“I resisted my story for five years, with “good reasons” to dodge the work. Al’s class changed that. The daily letters, stream of consciousness exercises and tales of the other writers kept me focused, honest and committed. It was liberating to write without reflexive rewriting — a huge change for me! And fun to absorb the new characters who kept showing up. I surprised myself every day. Especially the day I finished. Thanks, Al!”

— Peggy Mulloy (90-Day Novelist)

“For the daunting task of writing my first novel, I needed support and a nice kick in the pants. Al has a great foot! He is a skilled and adventuresome navigator, helping me explore what lies uniquely within my subconscious. Al sends out the perfect signals to get you to the end of your novel.”

— Donna Powers (screenwriter of Paramount Pictures’ The Italian Job, and 90-Day Novelist)

“Al Watt understands that the challenge of writing a novel is as mystical as it is technical. Balancing nuts-and-bolts instruction with calls to the writer’s unconscious mind and deepest spiritual centers, Al inspires each student to finish the first draft of his novel in 90 days… no matter what. Why? Because he knows that once it is down on paper, the writer is now a novelist, not merely another dreamer.”

— Allison Burnett (author of the novels Christopher and The House Beautiful)

“I’ve published two novels to some acclaim, I’ve published a book of criticism, and I have a novel coming out next summer. But I never send a work to a publisher before Alan Watt has gone through it and shown me how to make it better. He’s one of the best editors and mentors in the country. That he’s offering courses open to the public is a gift to the people of Los Angeles.”

— Eric Miles Williamson (author of East Bay Grease, Two-Up, and Oakland, Jack London, and Me, editor of American Book Review, Boulevard, and The Texas Review)

“Al is the Zen Master of storytelling! His 90-Day Novel workshop changed my life! His approach to writing is genius. He listened to me and provided insightful views into the world of my story. He helped me to bring my characters and story to life. I ‘ve been trying to write my novel for 8 years and would start and then get overwhelmed and discouraged. Al helped me overcome my fear and doubt. He created an energy vortex of creativity filled with compassion and wisdom that nurtured the storytelling process and made it fun and exciting. Oh sure at times it was scary and there were moments I thought “what the hell am I doing” but Al helped me get through the rough spots and gave me a deep understanding of the writing process and how it mirrors the life process. He taught me how to channel my resistance and drama into my story. Words just don’t do the incredibleness of Al’s workshop justice. If you are looking for help to tell your story, look no further. Al is the real deal!.”

— Kristen Williams (90-Day Novelist)

“Where every other fantastic writing class/workshop gave me everything but practical technique with which I could apply to my writing endeavor, Al Watt’s 90-Day Novel Workshop delivered the goods, especially for working actors with a hint that they may be a writer deep down. Al helped me discover my gift and provided me with the tools to dig it out of procrastination and to win the war of art.“

— Shawn Michael Howard (actor/90-Day Novelist)

“I had always dreamed of writing something close to my heart, but resistance always got the best of me. Then I met Al. The 90-Day Novel Workshop was just the intensive atmosphere that allowed me to focus on quantity and through Al’s loving, supportive and nurturing spirit, we forged ahead as he assured us that the quality would take care of itself. Working out a structure so that I could be free within that was key. Being free, in fact, is the key. There are no rules. I get to be an original. I am fully supported in a positive, loving atmosphere with like-hearted peers. There is no judgement here. I am so happy to have met Al. I must have been ready for the teacher, because he appeared and I am so grateful.“

— Julie Lancaster (actress/90-Day Novelist)

“Not only is Alan a gifted writer, he is also an extremely intuitive teacher. He always seems to ask the right questions or have the right exercises that bring your story to life. After one workshop with Alan, he has me convinced that I can write. No small feat for a first time writer. If you have an idea that won’t go away then go to Alan’s workshop, you’ll be so happy you did.“

— Cheri Barstow (90-Day Novelist)

“Speaking as a bestselling author in both fiction and non-fiction, I can’t think of a better novel-writing teacher than Al Watt. Not only is he a wonderful and nurturing instructor, he’s also a terrific writer himself! How many of us have had that novel that we’ll get around to writing “someday”? But for most people someday NEVER comes — they think they need years to write it, or to quit their day job. With his revolutionary 90-DAY NOVEL CLASS, Al helps writers accomplish the miracle of getting that novel down on paper. Do yourself a favor and give yourself a gift you will always treasure. Only YOU can write that book — and Al can make it happen.“

— Marc Scott Zicree (Bestselling Author of The Twilight Zone Companion, Magic Time)

“Al Watt is a master teacher with a brilliant, intuitive understanding of story. Working with him has made my writing deeper, more imaginative, and above all-more human.”

— Allen Zadoff (author of Hungry)

“Perhaps the best writing workshop in town! I say ‘perhaps’ only because I haven’t taken them all.“

— Mark Travis (author of The Director’s Journey)

“Alan Watt is the teacher of teachers; authentic, a rare muse, your best enemy when you are feeling sorry for yourself, your guide through the muck of structuring your work, on the money, and last but certainly not least, spiritually evolved. Purely for selfish reasons I have mixed feelings about telling you how wonderful my experience has been in the 90-Day Novel Workshop. It is much more than a writing class. It is a gateway to artistic integrity. Enter at your own peril and glory, and shhhhhh, please don’t tell anybody.“

— Deborah Grant (90-Day Novelist)

“I met Al Watt midway through a furious deadline for my first book. It had been commissioned by Random House, but frankly I was terrified I was going to fail – from lack of experience, knowledge of novel structure and those other private demons that prevent us from finishing (or sometimes starting) making art. Thank God for Al. I feared it would be a gung-ho course where I would be bullied into adopting certain rules — it was quite the opposite — a place where I could go and learn to trust my deepest unconscious to come up with the goods. I delivered the book on time, it’s selling well, CAA has picked it up — none of this would have happened with such speed and ease without Al. Take the course!“

— Lucinda Clare (Author of the best-selling An English Psychic in Hollywood published by Ebury Press/Random House available on Amazon.co.uk)

“Al Watt provides writers at every level with a safe place to engage their creativity. Through a combination of in-class writing, queries into structure, and repeated one-on-one dialogues, writers gain access to the subconscious, where the emotional truth of story abides. The classes are intense. Al gives his all, while allowing writers to discover for themselves the strongest possible path to a completed work. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

— Karen Palmer (author of Border Dogs and All Saints)

“For twelve years I struggled with writing my first novel. A friend encouraged me to sign up for the 90-Day Novel Online Workshop with Al Watt and I’m so glad I did. In 90 days I have written over 150,000 words. I feel confident and alive with my writing, and happily realized I have a fantastic trilogy instead of a single novel. Who knew? I guess Al did. Now I tell everyone about his online course. Thank you Al, you’ve genuinely changed my life.”

— Eddie Conner (Radio Host/Author)

“Al Watt and his 90 day novel workshop have enabled me to FINALLY take the words I have been ‘writing’ in my head for the last 10 years and formulate them into something that actually appears to be sensible, meaningful and most of all OFF MY MIND and ON PAPER! {He is also very entertaining and an all around quality guy who wrote a f#%king amazing novel!}”

— Dana Kiper

“Al Watt is brilliant. The 90-Day Novel online workshop gave me the structure, support and guidance to finish the first draft of a novel I’d been struggling with for a decade. Al’s coaching gave me tremendous insight into the story and my characters, and the confidence that I actually could finish – which I credit as a minor miracle.”

— Laura Brennan (screenwriter)

“Al Watt’s 90-Day Novel Workshop is worth every hour and every penny. By asking all the right questions, Al helps his students explore the depths of the stories they were meant to write. I now have a first draft of a novel that had languished in a drawer for many years. I can’t wait for the rewrite class to begin!”

— Marcy Ayanian

“Think of Al Watt and the 90-Day Novel as your seeing-eye dog: You know where you’re going, but Al makes sure you get there.”

— Litty Matthew (journalist)

“Al’s 90-Day Novel is the best writing workshop I have ever taken. The supportive nature of the class inspires and motivates you to write everyday and to get to the true heart of your story. By the end of the 90th day I had completed my rough draft (300 pages long) and developed a writing ritual that I have adopted for the rest of my life. Thank you Al!”

— Jennifer Scott