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This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I came away with a structure, format and a lot of insight from both Nicole and the other students. A really valuable weekend.”
– Kathrine Hillson, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I came away with a structure, format and a lot of insight from both Nicole and the other students. A really valuable weekend.”
– Kathrine Hillson, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I came away with a structure, format and a lot of insight from both Nicole and the other students. A really valuable weekend.”
– Kathrine Hillson, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
| Where | Starts | Duration | Presenter | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELBOURNE (Abbotsford) 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford | Saturday 17 July 2021 10am–4pm Only a few places left | 2 consecutive days | Nicole Hayes | $450 |
Watch this video to find out why you should enrol in this course now.
Our weekend workshops are special events where you can gain practical skills and knowledge in a supportive classroom environment. Over the two days (10am-4pm each day), you will learn the foundation techniques needed to create compelling stories. By understanding and using these building blocks, you will become a better writer.
Across both days, you will work through lessons that cover five key areas of fiction…
Creating compelling characters
Discover how to master memorable characters, filling in their backstories and body language, appearance, dialogue and other quirks to keep readers captivated. As a class, you’ll explore what drives characters, their future plans and more.
Finding your narrative voice
First person? Third person limited? Omniscient narrator? You’ll explore the various types of points of view with which you can tell a story – along with their advantages and disadvantages. You will also work through real examples from fiction to put voice and tense into context.
We suggest setting aside some time Saturday evening to complete a small assignment, to cement what you’ve learnt on day 1.
How to create gripping scenes
Scenes are the building blocks of stories, so you'll learn the secrets of scene construction and editing – how to write descriptions that allow your readers to feel like they’re there.
Building stories with form, structure and plot
Discover how to apply simple techniques to stop your stories from unravelling and, instead, hold a structure that keeps reader interest high from start to finish. You'll explore the vital points of a narrative and understand how to write in different points of view.
Putting it all together
Emerge from the wilderness of creative writing, with clear instructions for where to go to succeed in the next part of your writing journey. You’ll discover how to craft a scene that incorporates all of the techniques you've mastered.
Our Melbourne training centre provides you with access to world-class presenters and practical, inspirational lessons.
You’ll find us in the historic Abbotsford Convent – a vibrant artistic precinct made up of galleries, studios, eateries and creative spaces.
Address:
1 St Heliers Street“The course was the absolute nuts and bolts approach I was looking for. I loved the logical step-by-step approach to the craft of writing. It sounds strange but although I’d been a voracious reader all my life, I’d never stopped to consider how a book was actually written, or even that it was divided into a series of scenes with a defined structure. It’s obvious now, but at the time I thought I’d discovered radium!”
– Joanna Nell,
now a published author, whose lead character for her debut novel ‘The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village‘ was developed in her Creative Writing Stage 1 course…
Joanna's other novels are The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker and The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home.
Nicole Hayes is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her latest project, Little Legends, celebrates the great game of AFL, a sport that Nicole loves. She is also a writing instructor who has taught with the Australian Writers' Centre for more than eight years, as well as at universities, TAFEs and schools around Australia. She currently teaches Creative Writing at Deakin University and Sports Media at Swinburne.
Q: I'm totally new to all this. Is this the right course for me?
A: Absolutely! It's been designed to give you the foundation skills you need to start writing great fiction – no previous experience required.
Q: I did creative writing a long time ago, but feel pretty rusty. Should I do this course?
A: Yes, we have a lot of people who complete Creative Writing Stage 1 to refresh their skills (and learn plenty of new things). It will provide you with the solid foundations for fiction writing – perfect preparation if you continue on with later courses.
Q: Do I need to have a story or book idea before I start?
A: Not at all. This course is about the fundamentals of fiction, common to all good stories. You'll learn the techniques that go into good storytelling and write small scenes each week to cement your skills.
Q: How many others will be in the class – and are they all experienced writers?
A: The weekend workshops are a supportive learning environment and we purposefully keep classes small to make everyone more comfortable (no more than 16 per class). Everyone is there to learn and no experience is necessary, so you don't need to worry about being out of your depth.
Q: This is Stage 1… So what is Stage 2?
A: Depending on your writing goals, we offer Writing Workout where you can complete exercises to strengthen your core skills over six fortnightly sessions. Or, if you're ready to dive into your own book, our eight-week, Novel Writing Essentials course is ideal. Note that with both courses we recommend you've completed Creative Writing Stage 1 first.
Q: Which one is the creative side of the brain again? I'm always getting it wrong.
A: The right side is where the creative magic happens (but hey, the left is important too).
Q: What happens if the Weekend Workshop can’t go ahead due to COVID-19 restrictions?
A: We’re looking forward to bringing the Weekend Workshop to you in a safe and healthy classroom environment. But if COVID-19 government restrictions prevent the course from being run in-person, then we will deliver your course as online LIVE sessions via Zoom. You can enjoy the same comprehensive course materials and live interaction with your presenter and classmates, all from the comfort of home.
| KNOWLEDGE: | of all the important elements that all work together to create engaging fiction. |
| CONFIDENCE: | in your writing abilities and as a creative human being. Knowledge is powerful stuff! |
| INSPIRATION: | from your tutor, other classmates and the fabulous creative community. You’ll be buzzing with new ideas, techniques and insight into creating compelling fiction – that you can immediately apply to your own writing. |
| MOTIVATION: | to pursue further writing goals such as short stories or to write the next great novel. You’ll also have the momentum to succeed, thanks to plenty of online resources and 12 months' access to all online course materials. |
“Nicole was very open and encouraging of our ideas, and offered candid and valuable advice around the path to follow to get published. A great way to meet like-minded people and talk creatively”
– Peter Christley
(completed in Melbourne)
“Nicole Hayes our presenter was amazing and the other people in the course were fantastic. I learnt so much in 2 days. It was for people who are at all stages of writing, including beginners. I loved it.”
– Melissa Doolan
(completed in Melbourne)
“Nicole was patient and listened to our concerns and queries about writing, answering thoughtfully and with obvious insight. Thank you for making me excited about writing again.”
– Jessica Coop
(completed in Melbourne)
“This course exceeded my expectations and I was so impressed with the presenter’s generosity and intention to cover as much material as possible. It felt very much like a supportive mentor approach and I appreciated it so much.”
– Nerise Proctor
(completed in Melbourne)
| Where | Starts | Duration | Presenter | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELBOURNE (Abbotsford) 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford | Saturday 17 July 2021 10am–4pm Only a few places left | 2 consecutive days | Nicole Hayes | $450 |
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