Memoir writer Tom Thompson and screenwriter Sunny Grace

January 8-29, 2012 – CANCELLED

4 Sundays, 10 am – 4pm.

Glenrock House, Petersham, Sydney.

Cost: $680 (concession $600)

Summer Writers Labs is conducted over three weeks with regular workshop meetings in between. This year we will have workshop meetings on four Sundays. Writers are expected to use the time in between to complete writing tasks and work on their writing.

At each workshop, essential elements of writer’s craft are revised and writers have a chance to read, critique and receive feedback on any aspect of their writing and creative process. The intensive laboratory atmosphere enables writers to find the kind of focus, energy and inspiration you can’t get when working alone or fitting writing around a busy life.

Bring an existing project or start one anew. All genres are catered for with attention given to individual needs. Enjoy the support and camaraderie of fellow writers and delicious shared lunches on our daylong workshops, concluding with celebratory drinks and readings.

Summer Writer’s Lab this  January will take place on four Sundays over three weeks. Winter Writers Lab takes place in June. Both Labs follow the topics covered in the sample timetable below.

Timetable

Lab 1:Introductions, mapping our projects, dreaming up descriptive detail, creating the imagery and atmosphere of our writing, setting writing goals, creating mutual mentoring teams.

Lab 2 :Feedback sessions, exercises on narrator voice, character voice (inc. dialogue), developing engaging characters and central premise.

Lab 3: Feedback sessions, playing with building blocks of structure – sentence, paragraph, scene, chapter, story/thesis.

Lab 4: Feedback sessions, finding dramatic tension in action, plot and opposition. Foreshadowing, building suspense and page turning techniques.

Lab 5:Feedback sessions, learning effective editing, busting bad writing habits, going for the jugular, ensuring the impact of our writing with pace, rhythm, timing

Lab 6: Feedback sessions, finding unity and story cohesiveness, thematic imagery, killing your babies, leaving your mark, making an impact.

Lab 7: Final feedback sessions – resetting future writing goals and tasks. Steps to publishing and/or producing your work.

Lab 8 : Draft Swap. Writers read a synopsis and excerpt from their writing project. Other writers who have been working on drafts from the previous year join us. Writers choose partners to swap drafts with for future feedback sessions. Celebratory drinks.