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WHY DO WRITERS NEED WORKSHOPS?
As an editor, I read hundreds of manuscripts every year. Many have a great story to tell, but are not written well enough to meet the exacting standards set by popular authors and expected by publishers, or to satisfy the average reader. Thinking that you can write a best seller without studying the craft is like saying you can do brain surgery without studying medicine. Writing a great story of any kind requires much technical skill, but these skills can be learned. Like all professions, to be the best at what you do, you have to work at it. Many people can tell a story, but if it doesn’t excite and intrigue the readers on the first page they won’t read on. These skills are needed whatever you are writing: short story, picture book, chapter books for children, poems, memoirs, novels, etc. Every professional had to put in the hard yards to learn their vocation. A writer is no different. Book a workshop from the calendar to the right, organise a workshop with your group or library soon, or talk to us about what you need. Can't make it to a workshop?
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RECOMMENDATIONS:Sacha Cairns
Comment: Elaine’s boot camp was extremely informative and her feedback helped me to figure out the structure of my story. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their writing in any way. Sophia Auld Comment: Elaine's workshops are incredible value for money. I came away from boot camp with several strategies I can implement immediately to dramatically improve my fiction writing. The practical exercises and personalised feedback were really helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Elaine's courses to anyone wanting to become a better writer. Maria Parenti-Baldey Comment: Lovely relaxed venue where I have learned so much to improve my writing goals. Gayle Torrens Comment: I had the privilege of having Elaine Ouston edit my first book. I had re-read it so many times and I thought it was perfect. How wrong I was!!!! Elaine’s comprehensive and thought provoking editing convinced me to do a total re-write and I’m so happy I did. I am now super proud of my books. SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, AND WRITERS' GROUPS ... WE'LL COME TO YOU.
Ron Day and Elaine Ouston travel to schools, writers' groups, and libraries to give workshops or talks on writing.
A LIST OF SOME OF OUR WORKSHOPS IS BELOW BUT WE CAN TAILOR A WORKSHOP TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS. |
WORKSHOP CALENDAR CENTRAL QLD
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MARCH: MEMOIR.
Free evaluations are available. We all have a wealth of stories to tell and one of the great joys is to be able to write those stories for others. How to get this right to make an interesting and compelling read is covered in this workshop Date: Saturday, March 6th, 2021. Workshop Time: 1pm to 3pm. Location: Room C, Yeppoon Community Centre, 80 John St, Yeppoon. Go to the Memoir workshop's page to see more information. |
APRIL 3RD: KEEPING THEM HOOKED
Free evaluations are available. Exploring the building blocks that make a compelling story that no one can put down. Whatever you write – fiction, nonfiction, or blog posts, you have a singular goal: to make the reader want to keep on reading. The course includes, establishing the best point of view for your story, character, rising tension, the importance of setting, and much more. Date: Saturday, April 3rd, 2021. Workshop Time: 1pm to 3pm. Location: Room C, Yeppoon Community Centre, 80 John St, Yeppoon. Go to the Keeping Them Hooked page to get more information and to book. |
FULL LIST OF WORKSHOPS BY GONDOR PRINCIPALS
ELAINE'S WORKSHOPS
Eaine 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 Writers' 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. |
RON'S WORKSHOPS
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. JUST A FEW OF ELAINE'S PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS:Tully Combined Schools Festival -
School Writing workshops: Years 4 and 5: How to turn an idea into an exciting story. Maleny Wordweavers - Adult Workshops: Character Development for short story. 2 hours. Central Queensland Literary Festival - School Writing workshops: Prep to year 3: How to develop a story. Year 5 to 7: The building blocks of a great story. High School: The elements of fantasy. Hervey Bay Library: Home Grown Library Festival - Adult Workshops. Saturday: Full day workshop on Show, Don't Tell and Point of View. Sunday: Author Talk. 1 hour Sunshine Coast Readers and Writers' Festival - Adult Workshops. Saturday: Workshop Developing Memorable Characters. 2 hours Sunday: Publishing Workshop. 1 hour. |