The The NSW Writers' Centre

Moments of Grace: A Poetry Workshop

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Who: Peter Skrzynecki
When: Saturday 22 June, 10am-4pm
Cost: Full Price: $165; Member: $115; Conc Member: $100

Throughout the centuries, poets have tried to capture moments of spiritual awakenings when the world as we know it falls away and we enter a different realm. We return changed, having become part of an experience that liberates us and transforms us, however momentarily, into a new self, touched with an awareness we did not possess previously. These moments of grace, as they are often called, are not exclusive to any religion, tradition or culture. They exist primarily at an elemental level but fill us with understanding, love and compassion of humanity that is universal. Moments of grace occur often in encounters with silence, stillness, light, love, music, birds/ More info ›

Fiction Feedback

Who: Elizabeth Cowell
When: 8 x Sunday mornings: 30 June; 14, 21 28 July; 4, 11, 18, 25 August, 10:30am-1:30pm
Cost: Full Price: $960; Member: $670; Conc Member: $580

Bring your fiction writing to the next level by learning to evaluate and edit your own work in this intense but friendly focus group, convened by experienced fiction editor Elizabeth Cowell.

Prior to each meeting, four writers from the group of eight will submit samples of their work—either short stories or extracts from a novel (a maximum of 6000 words per piece). Each member of the group, including the convenor, will provide critical feedback on these pieces. The writers will have a chance to respond to this feedback, and a general discussion of writing fiction will follow. Group members are welcome to discuss particular challenges they are facing in their work. .....

Writing the Perfect Crime

Sold Out! To view our next crime workshop click here.

Who: Barry Maitland
When: Sunday 30 June, 10am-4pm
Cost: Full Price: $165; Member: $115; Conc Member: $100

Would you like to write gripping fiction, with vivid characters, strong and ingenious story lines and a powerful sense of place? Crime novels have all of these, and are among the most popular forms of fiction published today. In this workshop, Barry Maitland will talk about the craft of crime-writing and conduct focussed exercises which will help you to develop skills in key areas of practice, including: .....

Advanced Memoir

Who: Patti Miller
When: 6 x Wednesday mornings: 24 & 31 July; 7, 21 & 28 August; 4 September, 10am-1pm
Cost: Full Price: $600; Member: $420; Conc Member: $360

This is an advanced memoir course for those who want to write more than a record or a history, for those who are ready for a creative journey.  This course will refresh the technique of writing from original memory and creating the texture of lived experience on the page, and will explore narrating voice, story-telling and narrative pacing and structure. There will be a special trouble-shooting section on the problems in finding form - an invaluable insight into the structural pitfalls that can await the memoirist - based on Patti’s work critiquing hundreds of manuscripts.  .....

Presentation Skills for Writers

Who: George Catsi
When: Saturday 13 July, 10am-4pm          
Cost: Full Price: $180; Member: $125; Conc Member: $110

You've written your work and now you’re being asked to read it out loud.  Whether at a festival or any form of public reading these are promotional moments that can convert a listener, if you read it well. You can prepare yourself for these moments. This one-day intensive works directly on enhancing you as a public reader of your work. Working with the group we'll introduce performance techniques to help you find your voice. This is an active day: part-public speaking, part-theatre, with speakers at all levels and any genre able to explore their voices. Award winning writer and performer George Catsi will be able to give individual feedback in a group context.  .....

Writing the Erotic

Who: Krissy Kneen
When: Saturday 13 July, 10am-4pm
Cost: Full Price: $180; Member: $125; Conc Member: $110

Erotica has risen in popularity in recent months and yet even the best-selling erotic novels are criticised for their clunky prose and unsexy sex scenes. Join critically acclaimed writer of genuinely erotic literary sex, Krissy Kneen as she explores the art and craft of sex writing. Just how can you avoid winning the bad sex award whilst writing arousing and sensual prose? And how can you avoid falling into cliché?  .....