Island Writer’s Lab 27 Feb-6 March 2010
This perfect combination of an intensive laboratory atmosphere in a relaxed tropical setting enables writers to find the kind of focus, energy and inspiration they cannot achieve when working alone or fitting writing around a busy life.
Workshops take place every morning and writers are expected to use some of their time in the afternoon to complete specific writing goals. At the workshop meetings, essential elements of writer’s craft are revised while in the early evening sessions writers have a chance to read, critique and receive feedback on any aspect of their writing or writing process.
In the afternoons while exploring Fiji’s hidden paradise island Vanua Levu, you can find answers to all your writing questions. In an island rainforest, on a deserted beach, snorkeling the reef in clear blue lagoon waters, you will learn new techniques for treasuring every writing moment.
Using the senses to capture all the elements of tropical island life you will bring new energy to old habits and ideas, as you get in back in touch with the essence your creative self. Craft becomes pleasure in the natural process of making your work sing. Begin a new work, refresh a tired old draft or come as you are. Be prepared to play with maps and clues, nature and art, and go digging for creative treasure.
Throughout this week you have the opportunity to be a serious writer and show yourself and others just what you are capable of. The lab concludes with celebration drinks and readings.
Timetable
Sun - 10 am – 1pm
Introductions, mapping our projects, dreaming up descriptive detail, creating the imagery and atmosphere of our writing, setting writing goals, creating mutual mentoring teams.
6pm –7pm Reading and feedback
Mon - 10am – 1pm
Exercises on narrator voice, character voice (inc. dialogue) and developing engaging characters.
6pm –7pm Reading and feedback
Tues - 10 am – 1pm
Playing with building blocks of structure – sentence, paragraph, scene, chapter, story.
6pm –7pm Reading and feedback
Wed - 10am – 1pm
Finding dramatic tension in action, plot and opposition. Foreshadowing and suspense techniques.
6pm –7pm Reading and feedback
Thursday - 10 am – 1pm
Learning effective editing, busting bad writing habits, going for the jugular, ensuring the impact of our writing with pace, rhythm, timing.
6pm –7pm Reading and feedback
Friday - 10- 1pm
Finding unity and story cohesiveness, polishing and preening,
Resetting future writing goals and tasks.
3pm Readings and celebratory drinks
.Saturday – leave
Price: $2380 ex-Nadi $3230 includes international flight ex Sydney/ Brisbane
Cheaper if you do your own flight bookings;( Single room: $150 supplement)
