Tag Archives: workshops

First Time for Everything

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It’s been over a month since I attended GenreCon 2024, in Brisbane. 

As a first timer at this, it was nice to have my friends from Bundaberg Writers Club with me. Laree Chapman, Sandy Curtis, and Jacqui Read were there to guide me through the intense schedule, and I won’t lie, it was full on. 

Fantabulous Fun: BWC members Jacqui, Gail, Sandy and Laree

The subjects covered were many and varied –– something for every type of writer: Fantasy, sci fi, romance, crime, memoir. All there under one roof. 

If you have had no experience of this sort of thing, it was stimulating to say the least.

A selection of workshops was available. The first one I attended was Nick Earls’ workshop “Writing the Novella”. 

I went into it thinking that it would just be a talk on how to extend a short story idea into a short novel. Nick’s workshop did cover that, but he also covered the popularity of the novella in today’s market. This had been the subject of his thesis, so he was pretty much on point with his reasoning, starting with busy lives and short attention spans of today’s readers. 

He also covered the how to contain the storyline, reduce the number of sub plots and how a novella is a good place to experiment with storyline, a chance to get into the detail of character and plot. 

During the workshop I couldn’t help thinking that my 80,000-word manuscript should be a novella. Later I was thinking that I probably had a novelette. By the time I left I was looking at a short story. 

Patrick Ness, keynote speaker, encouraged everyone to keep writing no matter what.  Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write. Write anything and everything. Short stories, articles, novels, memoirs, even letters. Just write. The other thing he said was overnight success takes years.

As an emerging crime writer, I was thrilled to hear from Rachel Amphlett about how she writes her crime novels. On the last day I attended an outstanding workshop by Julie Jansen about how to plot a crime novel. I gained a lot of inspiration from her and found I identified with her thought process. 

The big surprise for me was that my submission had been picked to be read out to the assembled crowd in “The Shreader [sic]”, a session where 5 selected submissions are read to a panel of writers and editors who decide if they want to read more, or it goes to the shredder.  It took me a while to realize that my words were being read out and you could have knocked me over with a feather, as the saying goes. It was such a boost when they said that they would be interested to read on. 

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write. Write anything and everything. Short stories, articles, novels, memoirs, even letters. Just write.

An ability to network with industry professionals and gain insight to the inner working of how much goes on behind the scenes is essential. It is a part of an author’s business and today writing is a business.  We need to know what is expected of us, from the people who edit our manuscripts through marketing our work to what our readers want from us. Meeting new friends all at different stages of their writing was the icing on the cake.

This gathering of like-minded people at GenreCon is very much like a writing club on steroids. I thought I would feel out of place and time with everyone: writers, publishers, and editors. I thought I wouldn’t be ready to acknowledge the label of either author or writer, but I was wrong. 

I found the experience a great source of knowledge and inspiration.  I think this year I will be saving up for GenreCon 2025.

Gail Killen.

 

It’s All Good for Today’s Authors

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Which ever way you intend to publish –Justin_Sheedy
*Indie
*Self
*Trad
Whether e-books have peaked and readers really are re-committing to paper –

No matter what your publishing route, it’s all good news for today’s author.  The reading world is your oyster, assuming you have the tools to crack it.

Meet Justin Sheedy.

He knows his oysters, and he’s either built, borrowed or taught himself the tools he needs to get his words out to the world.

As he says, ‘I’ve gone solo, and am still flapping my wings.’ As publishing models continue to change, he’ll have to keep flapping, and we’ll all be there with him.

Justin’s wing flapping has seen him host six sell-out book-signings during 2015, including his last for the year at Dymocks George Street, Sydney (arguably Australia’s Premier Bookstore) with more event planning underway in 2016.

His first book, Goodbye Crackernight (2009), failed to interest publishers – it’s a memoir – yet Justin continues to secure feature spots in broadcast media, most recently  on 7 News Sydney and Radio 2UE.

He’s currently 60% through his fifth book, No Greater Love, Part Three of an Australian historical fiction trilogy begun in 2012 with Nor the Years Condemn, followed by Ghosts of Empire (2013).

He’ll share what he’s learnt at WriteFest 2016

Lovin’ & Genre Fiction

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I’m not deep into the romance genre but I have to admit all my favourite reads contain aspects of romance – all the way from Homer to Lord of the Rings to the Jack Reacher novels of Lee Child.

Here I was thinking all I needed to do was master the art of the chilling clue or the perfect sword thrust when the unavoidable conclusion is that appropriate lovin’ also needs to be attempted.

Homer’s romances were responses to lust or to loyalty; Middle Earth’s  love affairs burned bright, but were seldom spoken of; Jack Reacher enjoys the meeting of physicalities driven by the practical requirements of ‘no baggage’.

One type of romantic interlude does not suit all and I’m hoping that at WriteFest 2016, to be held this year in October, Rachael Johns will be able to give this romance klutz some insights into creating an (appropriately weighted) romantic buzz between characters.

Rachael-Johns-high-resolution-195x220

Rachael Johns

Rachael is an English teacher by trade, a mum,  an arachnophobe and a writer the rest of the time. Her greatest reading loves are for romance and women’s fiction.

She has 15 published books to her name, including both digital first novellas and traditionally published novels. She writes as she reads, in the genres of rural romance, contemporary romance and women’s fiction. 

Rachael has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Writing/English and a Graduate Diploma in secondary education. She teaches high school English and Drama, she has presented a wide variety of workshops, for example, at KSP Writers Centre and the Clare Writers Festival, and now at WRITEFEST.

Check out 2016

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Late 2105 release from Queensland Writers Centre:

  • Books from our Backyard – for the fourth year, a catalogue of books published as advised by Queensland authors.
  • Programme, January -June. Check out the online courses. Be aware, if the fees are daunting, grants are available (try RADF [Regional Arts Development Fund] or local councils) for professional development.

 

Prep for Workshops

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How to Get the best out of your workshop.Writingdownthebones

1. Make sure the workshop will suit you. Many workshops are aimed at beginner writers but some are more advanced. If you’re at all concerned about your skill level, contact the course organiser.

2. Arrive on time. If you can’t help but be late, enter the room as quietly as possible.
3. Come equipped with your favourite writing tool.
4. If you wish to record the session make sure you ask the presenter.
5. If you have any specific needs let your tutor know. If you have hearing problems, forgot your glasses, have a sore throat and can’t speak up – whatever it is – let your tutor know.
6. Remember, everybody’s nervous. Don’t be afraid to join in.
7. Expect anything. Writing exercises can sometimes seem unusual. Nobody expects perfection.
8. Remember you’re there to learn what tutor have learned from their own writing experiences. Ask questions, but try to avoid arguing points of philosophy. Each writer is different.
9. Make sure you understand when is the best time to ask questions.
10. Even if notes are given out, remember to take your own.
11. If you’re popping out for a one on one with an agent or an editor, make sure your tutor knows in advance.
12. Be prepared to make friends, be tested and have fun.
13. A couple of days after the workshop go through your notes and flesh them out a little. This gives time for you to fully absorb the experience, and ensures you deal with your notes while you remember the workshop clearly.

Edition 19: Night Blooming by Jason Nahrung

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Like to step out on the edge. Nice little read from Jason Nahrung and SQ Mag

SQ Mag

A teenager in love with the darker side of life has disappeared. Detective Shane Hall, struggling with her personal demon, follows the trail to parts of Brisbane’s seedier side, The Valley. She must keep control to find the missing young woman, and for her own self-preservation. SY

Deborah Brown—Jazmine Nocturna to her friends—had it bad for the unliving. Shane stood in the teenager’s bedroom, taking in the nu-vamp celeb posters, the black lace, the incense.

The girl’s mother stood at the bedroom door. Ms Brown wore a pencil skirt and heels, a crisp white blouse, but stray hairs were pulling free from her tight bun, and the shadows under her eyes showed through her makeup. Early to mid-forties. Gym toned, suntanned, a gold cross above her modest cleavage. No wedding ring, but a pale line where one had been. She radiated anxiety.

Join the club, sister.

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