When working on a book, how do you hang in there for the long haul? I often compare the writing of a book to the building of a house which may explain my fascination with the TV show Grand Designs. While I would never in a million years put myself through the stress of building a house or renovating a ruin, it’s easy to observe the similarities of house building to the process of writing. Laying the foundation, building the scaffolding, making sure the structure is sound, paying attention to so many details: design, layout, character, style, drama, atmosphere, finishing off all the fiddly bits, polishing, re-doing, going back in and fixing any defects — it goes on and on, often for years!
On Grand Designs usually it’s a couple who are working together and rarely do we see their support team, their cheering squad. Everyone needs one — if you are building a house or writing a book, or just living a life — we all need a little team of encouragers who are going to keep reminding : don’t give up now, you are almost there, just another few weeks (months, years!) you can do it!
Our writer’s group, Draft Busters provides just that. We’ve lost count but I think we’ve been going for nearly 14 years now. We used to meet once a month in person but when Covid hit and everything went online, I thought we could ramp it up to twice a week. Motivation Mondays and Feedback Fridays were designed to give the incentive writers needed to make the most of the lockdown. We’ve been going gangbusters for five straight months now with a solid crew of 8 – 10 writers attending. All have found it incredibly valuable as you can read for yourself below. We’ll be starting up again on Mon Oct 12 if you would like to join. Booking details here.
Our 2020 Draftbusters have this to say…
‘Draft busters is helping me sustain dedicated and productive work on my manuscript. I can now see with greater clarity, the strengths and weaknesses in my work. It’s the unique and gentle combination of discussion about the craft of writing, meditations and sharing work with accomplished writers that has really assisted over the past few months. I’d recommend Draft Busters to anyone who wants to create nurturing structure and companionship to the long haul task of developing a manuscript.’ Andra Putnis, Canberra, memoir writer.
Jan’s Draft Busters sessions have made a huge difference to the progress of my book. The monthly modules offer an ideal combination of solid writerly advice and guided techniques to inspire creative flow.The structure works perfectly as weekly motivation and feedback. I have found and solved several problems that were holding me back and I feel as though I have finally found my rhythm. My fellow zoomers’ writing, encouragement and suggestions are also high calibre, and my book will be all the better for doing this course. I’m loving every moment. Kate Broadhurst, Huskison, memoir writer.
The structure of Jan’s Draftbusters is briiliant: Motivation Mondays and Feedback Fridays. A gentle kick in the bum once a week plus a deadline for producing something to read. The group dynamic, thanks to Jan’s skillful leadership, is warm, constructive and encouraging. I can fully recommend it to anyone wanting support for a writing project of any kind. Biff Ward, Canberra, working on a novel.
“Jan has such a natural flair for being an intuitive and motivating guide in the writing and creative process. Her ‘live’ guided meditations are gateways to tap into one’s stream of consciousness and it becomes a literary adventure as she helps you surface innermost thoughts and memories that launches fresh paths in your writing.Through her Writer’s Retreats, she brings together an array of writers of all levels where she inspires and leads like a maestro, orchestrating inspiring sessions of deep sharing and learning. Having done 3 months of Draft Buster Sessions during the COVID19 lockdown, I have grown and learned so much under her continued tutelage and the feedback from the other writers she has gathered in the group. Despite financial difficulties to continue on, Jan has been so generous as to offer a sponsorship in order for me to continue with these sessions. With her, I have not only learned how to write better and more consistently but have found the guided writing process an immense healing tool as I forge on with my memoir. Thank you so much, Jan!” Sabrina Renee Chong, Singapore, memoir writer .
Draftbusters has been instrumental in giving me the confidence to start a new novel. I need to research various aspects of it but didn’t want that to stifle the development of character. Jan’s guidance in the craft of writing combined with meditations that help the writing flow have prompted a regular word count each week which is encouraging. The writers in the group are not only talented but generous with their ideas and support, and provide a nurturing environment in which to read those first tentative drafts. Jennifer Moore, Adelaide, novelist.
I have worked with Jan Cornall for over a decade. She met me as an inexperienced and nervous writer and helped me find my voice and style. Jan supported me through false starts, rewrites, yet more rewrites and even more rewrites, until my first novel, The Wardrobe Girl, was published by Random House. Jan’s approach is encouraging, warm and constructive and her use of guided meditation as a way into writing is brilliant. I am now embarking on a second novel and couldn’t hope for a better guide. Jennifer Smart, Newcastle, published author, working on a new novel.
Draft Busters, Jan Cornall’s writing course has been a lifesaver. During these Covid days, we have had Motivation Mondays, which include a meditation guided by Jan that takes one to a dimension not reached alone. Jan has a unique gift, she somehow imparts that allows latent scenarios to surface.Writing is known to be therapeutic and these sessions have been healing. Feedback Fridays have us producing our weeks writing, when we read to each other in this supportive environment, it is greatly satisfying and constructive. In short, Life saving. We have all improved under Jan’s tutelage, her guidance is exceptional. Lisa Sharkey, Sydney, memoir writer.
Draft Busters in August, donning face masks in solidarity with Melbourne’s second lockdown.
