Workshops - Writing from Life
“Life's what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” - John Lennon
Cost |
To book a place |
Course outline
9.30 am: Assemble, coffee & introductions
10.00 - 12.00: How to Look (and See)
Even though you may be the main character, we still need to get to know you, and all the others in your book. A character writing exercise will help you to hone your descriptive and observational skills by focusing on looks, personality, voice, telling details and ambiguities. How do people give themselves away? How do they hide? How do you tell the truth about them?
12.00 - 12.30: All Six Senses
We will broaden our observational skills to the world around us, using not only the five senses, but memory too. What are the main triggers?
12.30 - 1.00pm: Lunch
Lunch & more conversation
1.00pm - 3.00pm: Structure
How do you identify the key moments in a life or a journey, and organise your material into a coherent whole? We’ll begin with beginnings, and a game, then try our hands at a longer piece, bearing in mind all we have learnt earlier.
3.00pm - 3.15pm: Tea / Coffee
3.15pm - 4.45pm: Writing style
When you send your work to agents, your work will have about 1 minute to convince them that it deserves closer attention. The quality of your writing must convince them to invest that extra time. This portion of the workshop will be based on a detailed scrutiny of the participants' own work - please see 'Homework' section below
4.45pm - 5.00pm: Round-up, questions, good-byes
Cost
The cost is £140 (inc VAT). Bookings are first come, first served so book early to reserve your place. A full welcome pack will be sent out once you've made your booking.
Homework
The more you put into this course, the more you'll get out of it. We do ask participants to try to email us (a) a short plot summary of your book (aim for approx 300 - 500 words), and (b) your first chapter. We need this material one week before the start of the workshop, so we can have a look at it and copy it for group discussion.
Also, this is a course for beginners, so please don't worry if your work still feels a bit raw. That's sort of the point, isn't it?
Freebies
All participants will receive a "£50 off" voucher to be used against a full-length WW editorial review. (£30 off for MSS of less than 60,000 words).
Cancellations
We can take cancellations for a full refund up to 22 days before the event. Thereafter, no refunds - sorry.
Booking
If you want to book a place on one of our workshops, all you have to do is give us a call on 0845 459 9560 or book via the website letting us know (i) the workshop you want to book for, and (ii) your phone number.
