We are delighted to be offering our 11th Summer Writing School, and once again we have some stellar tutors ready to inspire, guide and mentor young writers. Come and join our inclusive community of writers. 

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Monday, January 18th

9:30:  Registration and mihi

10:00 to 3:30: Workshop Options

3:30 to 4:00: Snacks and chat

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a. Sentence-Forward Writing 

Learn about making every word count. Rather than putting plot first, in this workshop, we explore stories that emerge from surprising beginnings. Utilising techniques originally developed by legendary editor Gordon Lish and since developed by writers including Don DeLillo and Garielle Lutz, this workshop focuses on making every sentence sparkle. 

Tutor: Josiah Morgan

 

b. Art Walkshop! 

We will take our words for a walk, exploring the artworks around Ara, exercising our creativity and building a collection of notes that can be shaped into poetry, flash, creative non-fiction or something larger. 

Tutor: Annabel Wilson

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Tuesday, January 19th

10:00 to 3:30: Workshop Options

3:30 to 4:00: Snacks and chat

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a. Plotting the Unputdownable Paperback

We will use a tried-and-true story structure to pace out a character-driven story that rings true, no matter what genre. Students can bring a finished draft, a seed of an idea, or a blank page. By the end of the day, they'll have plotted out a tight structure for an utterly satisfying read

Tutor: Amy Paulussen

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b. Word Contortions!

How far can you stretch a poem or story before it loses its shape? How much can you shrink before it implodes? How many meanings can you get from the same string of words?. What's written and how it's written can change everything, as you'll learn in a workshop of ultimate word nerdery!

Tutor: Molly Laurence

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Wednesday, January 20th

10:00 to 3:30: Workshop Options

3:30 to 4:00: Snacks and chat

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a. Make 'em Laugh

Explore concepts to shape your funniest ideas into sharp, structured comedy. From sketch writing to satire, this workshop takes you behind the scenes of what makes things funny and gives you the tools to write your own comedic material.

Tutor: Ray Shipley

 

b. Movies, Monsters & Madness

In this workshop, we will watch a short film as a way to think about writing. We will break down the film shot by shot, and write an ekphrastic piece of work combining poetry, narrative writing, character exploration and creative non-fiction.

Tutor: Josiah Morgan

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Thursday, January 21st

10:00 to 3:30: Workshop Options

3:30 to 4:00: Snacks and chat

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a. Character Voice

How to make your character speak like a pig or a paranoid palaeontologist! Give your story personality and your characters memorable voices. Practice with some simple techniques to lift your narrative game.

Tutor: Gail Ingram

 

b. Primal Poetry

Long before poetry was etched on paper, language was held in the lungs and passed through breath and rhythm. Primal poetry returns writing to its source and back to the page.  We will move between the physical (gently, gently) and the written. At its heart, this work plays between the sincere and sacred to the silly and sacrilege. Step in. Wax poetical. Let’s wiggle wiggle our way to writing the good stuff.

Tutor: Harley Bell.

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Friday, January 22nd

10:00 to 12:00: Redrafting and 1:1 mentoring

Work in small groups to develop and redraft works in progress.  Time will be allocated for 1:1 mentoring with one of the tutors.

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1:00 to 3:30: Celebration of writing * family and friends welcome

Join us in the Imagitech Theatre for a panel discussion/ performance/ readings from the tutors, and from 2:00 pm, an open mic sharing of work created over the week of

Summer Writing School.

Followed by Snacks and Chat

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Fees

Full week = $360 

One-day fee = $80* per day (will be available from the beginning of December)​

 

Places are strictly limited in each workshop. Book and pay early to ensure your first choice of workshops.​

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*Prices given are exclusive of GST

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Please note that we have limited subsidised places available for young writers in need of financial support. Please apply to schoolforyoungwriters@gmail.com if you know someone who would benefit from this opportunity. ​​​​​

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