Pack your passport and pen and come to along to this class, which is ideal for anyone who has ever wanted to turn their travel stories into saleable tales. The goal of this course is to reveal the varied possibilities available for the aspiring travel writer. Whether the journey is far or near, this workshop will enable you to travel. Where the journey takes you is up to you! Content London Publishing Opportunities, Types of Travel Stories (Newspapers & Magazines, Electronic Publish... [More]

Short story writing is back in demand in literary markets across the Western World. It is because this finest literary genre is ideally suited to the demands of our contemporary digital and postmodern cultural. Short story writing has been defined by some critics as just the beginning of storytelling, but as Henry David Thoreau said that the story does not need to be long, “but it will take a long while to make it short.” This course offers practical advice on the mechanics and the ... [More]

Designed to give participants the practical skills to approach their creative writing projects with confidence, this workshop is built around particular topics integral to the writing process, such as voice, character, structure, theme and editing. Using exercises to get started, participants will look at the basic elements of fiction and at ways to develop their work. This creative writing workshop is an invaluable way to find your voice as a writer. Course Content Week One: What’s... [More]

So you think writing a 50-word picture book is easy, or that you could be the next JK Rowling? Come along for discussion and exercises on writing for young people of all ages. Advice is also given on manuscript presentation and the state of publishing for children in Australia and overseas. Course Content Starting Points Part 1 Finding stories within Starting Points Part 2 Getting underway, questions to ask yourself Dialogue How kids talk and what to do with what they say Characters... [More]

The appeal of crime fiction is its ability to tell a ripping good yarn while also taking us through mean streets to the dark places of the heart. This course focuses on bringing characters to life on the page, structure and plotting, the unobtrusive planting of clues, research, and blending fact with fiction to make a plausible story. These techniques can also be applied to any writing piece to increase suspense and energise your writing. Come along and learn from one of Australia’s... [More]

Many writers or ‘want-to-be writers’ suffer at times from ‘Writers’ Block’. This inspirational course aims to help you better understand what might be in the way of starting, developing, committing to and or completing your writing projects. The nurturing classroom environment will provide a place to learn, observe and practise different methods to manage blocks. It will include information, management techniques and inspirational support. It will provide full class plus individuall... [More]

Dream Castles is a highly practical, follow-on course for those who have completed Terry Dowling’s Magic Highways: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing course. It is ideal for those who feel they have mastered many of the basics of good storytelling and are either completing a major writing project set in a science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy or dark fantasy universe or are in the planning stages of tackling one. While the storytelling basics will be re-visited across the six wee... [More]

Learn how to turn poetry into lyrics by using the simple processes used by songwriters everywhere to change a poetic fragment, mood or idea into a fully realised lyric that can be set to music. This course is deal for young songwriters who want to improve their lyrical techniques and for would-be songsters of all ages who are eager to unlock the mysteries of how to express their own special song. Course Content Inner Music/Outer Music Spotting the differences between a poem and a so... [More]

This 5 week course enables participants who have begun to identify their own unique voice and style, to gain confidence in developing and committing to it. Participants may wish to continue working with a project that has begun to reflect clear aspects of their voice and style. New projects may also be commenced. The focus will be on supporting participants to remain true too their original expression whilst developing writing projects. Course Content Introduction – Revision of subj... [More]

Throughout history, artists, scientists and others have used visual journaling to record ideas, sketch out possibilities and explore their experiences. Image making and personal writing is a unique combination of two creative processes within a journal format. This workshop will enable you to discover and deepen your creativity as you experiment with visual journaling techniques in an encouraging and playful environment. Experience the wonderful satisfaction of reading and looking a... [More]