Creative Writing Workshops

CreativeWrite is pleased to announce that its successful series of creative writing workshops is to be repeated. Given by David Jackson, an internationally published novelist who has extensive teaching experience, the workshops focus on tips and techniques that he has personally found useful in his own writing. Each workshop in the series will consider a different aspect of the writing process, and can be taken in isolation, although you are more than welcome to attend them all! Details are as follows:

Sat. Nov. 2, 10.00-12.30: What’s the big idea? (£15)

One of the questions authors are always asked is, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ In this initial workshop I will describe a number of simple and effective techniques for generating story ideas. To help you learn and apply them, I will set several brief exercises. All you need is a pen, some paper, and a mind!

Sat. Nov. 9, 10.00-12.30: Populating the world (£15)

One of the most important aspects of story writing is creating characters people want to read about. In this workshop I will show how to develop characters that are interesting, compelling and believable. We will look at how characters can be used to advance the story, and how to create good dialogue.

Sat. Nov. 23, 10.00-12.30: Putting flesh on the bones (£15)

Coming up with a good fiction idea is just the first step. In this workshop we will look at techniques for developing that idea into a fully-rounded story. In particular we will consider structure, style and plot development.

Sat. Nov. 30, 11.00-12.30: The End is Just the Beginning (£9)

Getting your novel finished is one thing; knowing what to do next with it next is quite another. In this seminar, I will look at how to submit your book for possible publication, with hints and tips as to how to improve your chances of success. Unlike the preceding workshops, there will be no exercises, but there will be ample opportunity to ask questions. Please bring pen and paper to take notes.

Location: West Kirby Library, The Concourse, West Kirby, Wirral CH47 48X (0151 929 7808)

Booking: Contact the library to book. Costs for individual sessions are as given above and include refreshments, or you may book a complete package deal for the reduced price of £50. Please note that places are strictly limited.

What attendees have said

"Highly impressed to have a published author sharing his experience."

"FANTASTIC... Very, very helpful. Good atmosphere and brilliant teaching. Would love to come to more classes."

"Very enjoyable and so helpful."

"Excellent. Really enjoyed exercises."

"Excellent - when's the next one?"

"Excellent - presented in a very entertaining and relaxed style. Very thought-provoking and stimulating."

"Very informative and enjoyable."

"Excellent workshop which gave me lots of food for thought..."

About the presenter:

David Jackson is the author of a series of crime thrillers featuring New York detective Callum Doyle. His debut novel, Pariah, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Awards, and translation rights have been sold. Both it and its sequel, The Helper, have been greeted with rave reviews, including one from the Guardian that reads: ‘Recalls Harlan Coben – though for my money Jackson is the better writer.’ The third book in the series, called Marked, is now available, and David is hard at work on the fourth. All the books in the series are published by Pan Macmillan.

When not writing fiction, David spends his time as a lecturer in a university science department. He is therefore highly experienced in talking in front of audiences both large and small, and has in the past received nominations, awards and a fellowship in recognition of his teaching excellence.

David’s fiction website can be found at www.davidjacksonbooks.com. You can also follow him on Twitter, where he goes under the name of @Author_Dave.

Questions?

Either call West Kirby Library (0151 929 7808), or submit a query using the following form:

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