SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIESStimulate reading and inspire your students and readers by giving them the opportunity to meet authors and sit in on workshops with them.
TALKS OR WORKSHOPS: Elaine Ouston and Ron Day are available for school and library visits to give workshops or talks about writing. Elaine is also available for readings from her books and talking about the megafauna animals from her first series, The Mystery of Nida Valley and her picture books on the animals, and on saving the forests of the world, the theme from her latest book, Barben's Magic Quest. LITERARY FESTIVALS: We can also organise a Literary Festival at your school or library. We have conducted many festivals in consecutive years and they have been very well received. For a full festival we bring 8 to 10 well-known authors and illustrators to your school or library. A mini-festival has 5 to 6. These festivals are the same as other well-known festivals like Voices on the Coast etc. We are seeking expressions of interest from schools and libraries in hosting this exciting and valuable event. Visit our new Festivals website: www.austlitfest.com for more details, contact us by phone or email or fill in the enquiry form below. AUTHOR VISIT BY OTHER AUTHORS: We can also arrange a single visit of any of the presenters on the Creative Net Speakers’ Agency website, www.creativenetspeakers.com The possible line-up of presenters is exciting. If you are looking for workshops or talks, check the list below to see what interests you then phone 0417 351 717, email elaine@gondorwriterscentre.com or fill in the enquiry form below. WORKSHOPS BY ELAINE OUSTON:Elaine Ouston holds a Master of Letters (MLitt) from Central Queensland University, and is a published author of a number of books for children. She edits and sets up books for self-publishing at Gondor Writer' Centre and organises literary festivals through Australian Literary Festivals and Book Fairs. Visit the website for more information: www.austlitfest.com.
She is an experienced writing tutor, editor and designer, and has had many recommendations from students for her workshops. Learn more about Elaine here. You can read the testimonials here. FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION Elaine's workshops are designed as a continuing course. The knowledge gained from attending all workshops can be applied to all writing projects, from short stories to a 100,000 word novel and everything in between. However, you may choose to take only the workshops you feel you need. Turning your idea into a story: Exploring the building blocks that make a compelling story that no one can put down. The course includes, establishing the best point of view for your story, the importance of setting, and much more. Waking your imagination: This workshop will help you turn that idea into a story everyone will want to read by showing you how to add excitement, depth and intrigue. Advance class: Creating a wondrous setting When we read a novel with a graphic description of the setting, we are transported to that place. If the description is too brief, then we have no idea what physical situation our characters are in and we lose interest. The use of our 5 senses is very important to create a sense of place. In this workshop, you will be given examples of how that is done and exercises on creating a setting that transports us to the place. Advance class: Creating memorable characters: Developing strong, believable characters that your reader either loves or hates ... depending on your intention, is vital. Many writers make the mistake of having characters who are too similar to each other and not well enough developed. Humans are not the same; we are multidimensional beings. This workshop examines the many personality types we meet and shows you how to portray them effectively. For crime and mystery writers, the character workshop includes an examination of criminal types and what drives them to commit crimes. 2 DAY WORKSHOP Plotting your story: This workshop will cover the importance of structure. It doesn’t matter if you are a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’ this workshop will help make sure your story flows and doesn’t go off track. Writing believable dialogue: Making the dialogue suit your character, add depth to the scene, and show emotion is an important part of making your character believable. We will examine ways to do that. Keeping them Hooked: What will make your reader stayed glued to the pages until their eyes can’t stay open anymore? We examine the six key things that will help you achieve that Advanced class: Strengthening your writing: The use of word pictures, metaphors and similes, show not tell, and the ability to create rising tension are all important tools. How to use these tools to create your masterpiece is covered in this workshop. Advanced class: Editing your masterpiece: This 2 day workshop takes you through all the things a publisher’s editor will be looking for and helps you polish the story till it shines. 2 DAY WORKSHOP Publishing: We examine all your publishing options and help you create a killer synopsis, perfect pitch and submission letter. Marketing: We cover the importance of having a public profile before you publish and how to achieve that, along with ways to sell your book once it is published. |
WRITING GROUPS
Is your group serious about writing?
We would like to offer our services to your writers’ group. For just *$20 per head for a 2 hour workshop with a minimum of 10 people, we will attend your regular meetings and conduct workshops on writing and publishing. You can choose from the workshops below. Are you working on an anthology? We can also set up a program of workshops on writing and editing to help you produce an anthology and do the final edit, create a professional cover, put it together, and arrange the printing. As I’m sure you are aware, funding is available from many sources for the payment of our services. * The cost of attendance will be more if your group is more than 100 klms from our base, Landsborough in Queensland. Contact us to get a firm price. Check the workshops below to see what interests you then phone 0417 351 717, email elaine@gondorwriterscentre.com or fill in the enquiry form below. WORKSHOPS BY RON DAY:Ron Day holds a PhD from Central Queensland University, and is a published author of a series of computing text books for use in primary, secondary, and tertiary schools and colleges. He has had more than 30 years experience in teaching and writing.
Learn more about Ron here. Memoir: Whether you are writing biography or family history, the most daunting task is knowing how to structure and present your research and resources in a logical way to create a compelling read. Experienced researcher and non-fiction writer Dr Ron Day will help you navigate the pathway of your story and teach you how to harness your research to create a non-fiction narrative. Create dramatic writing through the use of conflict and resolution: Conflict and resolution are tools to provide the emotional highs and lows that will keep the audience on the edge of their chairs as the story develops. Using Similes and Metaphors: Memorable writing often makes use of figures of speech such as similes and metaphors. If fresh and original, they can lift description, add interest to any writing, and make it sparkle. This workshop will show you how it's done. Business writing: * Newsletters - Reports * Work rules – processes and procedures * Job descriptions * Job applications * CVs Those working in a business and those who would like to secure a position, need to be able to write in a positive manner that others, employers or customers, will understand and relate to. This workshop will help you develop the skills to become a polished communicator. Technical writing: Technical writing encompasses creating user manuals and sets of instructions, business processes and procedures, specifications and reports. This workshop will help you develop the skills to become a competent writer of technical documentation. Business writing Health and Safety evaluations & incident reports: As an experienced technical writer and design safety expert your presenter will help you develop the skills to make valid OHS observations and compose appropriate reports. Copywriting for marketing: The intention of copy writing for marketing is to persuade someone to buy a product. Good copy writers are aware of the rules of layout, and the use of compelling language that appeals to the intended market group. Good copy has visual and linguistic appeal, and addresses the needs of the market segment. You need to build a quick relationship with readers through the interest and emotive pull of the language you use in your copy. Writing for the educational market: Writing for the educational market is challenging because of the need to understand the topic thoroughly, the need to be able to relate to students, and the need to be able to write the material in a way that will interest and excite the readers. As an ex-teacher, published educational writer and experienced technical writer, Dr Ron Day will introduce you to the joys of this type of writing and help you avoid some of the pitfalls. |