Write On Masterclasses
Term 4 2025
Join us for a fabulous day of writing and creating.
Unless indicated otherwise, our masterclasses are open to young writers in Years 7-13
1. Short and Sharp Years 7-13
We will explore ways to create very short stories.
Micro stories are a great tool to work on concision and vocabulary.
Have a go at six-word stories, two-sentence horrors and other fun (and challenging) options.
Tutor: Desna Wallace
Venue: Rangiora Town Hall
Date: Friday, October 17th
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30*
Supported by Waimakariri Libraries and Waimakariri Creative Communities
2. Play in the City Year 7-13
We will visit sites on the Ōtautahi Urban Play Trail,
or if the weather is inclement, discover play opportunities at Tūranga.
Students will collect ideas, images and words to inspire some amazing new writing
exploring the power of play and playfulness, past, present and future.
Tutor: Heather McQuillan and Philomena Johnson
Venue: Tūranga Central Library
Date: Friday, October 31st
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30*
Supported by Christchurch Libraries and Christchurch Creative Communities
3. Write Outside the Square - maths and poetry! Year 7-13
Explore concepts of mathematics to write original and vivid poetry.
Think poems with shape or a five-time beat, or writing inspired by the Golden Rule,
Prime Numbers and wacky mathematicians.
No squares here, only the rule of threes.
Coincidentally, this workshop will also be right outside the Square!
Tutor: Gail Ingram
Venue: Tūranga Central Library
Date: Friday, November 7th
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30*
Supported by Christchurch Libraries and Christchurch Creative Communities
4. Activating Characters Year 7-13
Use all of your senses to build realistic characters and then bring them to life in your writing.
Create motives for your characters, learn how to generate realistic action sequences, and learn how to make your characters feel fully formed!
NB: This class was sold out earlier in the year, so please sign up early.
Tutor: Josiah Morgan
Venue: Kaiapoi Library
Date: Friday, November 21st
Times: 9:15-2:45
Cost: $30*
Supported by Waimakariri Libraries and Waimakariri Creative Communities
Your Tutors
Desna Wallace is a librarian, blogger, book reviewer, author and poet. She loves short-form writing, verse novels and teaching young writers. She is an award-winning writer of microfiction.
Heather McQuillan is an award-winning writer of novels for young people, short stories and flash fiction.
Gail Ingram writes award-winning poetry and is a much sought-after poetry editor. Earlier this year, she brought Mathetica and the Canterbury Poets Collective together to create Mathepoetica!
Josiah Morgan (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto) is a 24-year-old artist and an Ōtautahi local. He is the author of five books so far and can be regularly seen on stages and screens across the country.
Schools: limited to 6 places per school ( see booking form)
Please note that we can run a masterclass at your school if you have more students!
Notes:
Please bring pens/ paper and a device
Free WIFI on site
Bring lunch/ snacks/ water bottle
Our masterclasses are fully supervised, with Health and Safety information provided.
Places are strictly limited.