Gather essential short story techniques to envelop your readers with fewer words.
What can great short stories teach us? What can they do that novels can’t? And how can we turn our own obsessions into great fiction? This workshop is designed to help you generate ideas for short fiction based on your own interests. Discuss techniques and writing habits to help you develop, draft and improve your work.
Learning Outcomes:
Through this course, participants will be able to identify and develop the following in their work:
Voice & Point of View: A consistent voice for a defined protagonist becomes the driver of a story.
Setting & Character Arc: The cast, their transformations, and the world that supports them create dramatic action.
Plot & Theme: A contoured narrative arc delivers a clear message.
Exposition vs. Scene: Cite the difference between when the narrative ‘tells’ essential information and when dramatic action unfolds in the reader’s mind.
Literary Devices: Explore and use the tools that make stories cohesive and resonant.
Format
This is a seminar for all writers. More information on program formats and level definitions can be found here.
About Lauren
Lauren Elise Daniels’ career commenced with 1st prize in the ‘87 Newport Poetry Contest in Rhode Island, USA. Her essays have appeared overseas and in Australia’s Antic and The Courier-Mail. The manuscript for her novel, Serpent’s Wake: A Tale for the Bitten shortlisted with Singapore’s Half the World Global Literati Awards and ranked 4th in the People’s Choice Award. Published in ’18, the novel launched in the US, Canada and Australia. Lauren holds a BA and MFA in Creative Writing from the USA.
Lauren has edited 90+ fiction/non-fiction titles, including several short story collections. She’s a speaker for the TAS and QLD Writers Centres, Sandcliffe Writers Festival, Whistler Writers Festival, and Gold Coast Writers Fair, and a literary judge for the Society of Women Writers QLD, Hawkeye Books, and Interactive Publishing Pty Ltd.
How to Connect to the Live Stream:
When you buy a ticket, you will receive two emails. One will be your receipt from Eventbrite. The other will be an email from Queensland Writers Centre on behalf of Crowdcast, our live stream provider. The latter email will thank you for registering for the course and provide you with a link to the video. A representation of this email is below; the 'Visit Event' button will take you to the live stream's landing page.
It is only through this link in which you may access the live stream, so it is important that you check that you have received it. In case you misplace this email, you will receive another email with the live stream link 10 minutes before the course is scheduled to start. If you don't receive the initial email when you buy the ticket, contact us on 07 3842 9922 or at admin@qldwriters.org.au.
FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Unless otherwise stated, Queensland Writers Centre workshops and events are suitable for participants aged 16 years and over. If you are under 18 years of age, please check with us for suitability before purchasing a ticket.
Will I be limited in any way if I choose to view the live streamed event over attending the event in person?
Queensland Writers Centre always recommends attending our workshops in person; however, we do understand that this might not be possible for our members who live all throughout Queensland. With this in mind, we seek to deliver the event to our at-home viewers as seamlessly as we are able. During your live stream session, you can still perform the exercises and activities given by the instructor and you can also participate in group discussions with other online viewers via the online chat feature.
Can I ask the instructor questions as a live stream viewer?
We will have a live stream facilitator monitoring the chat section, so if there is a recurring question being asked, that employee will ask the instructor on the viewers' behalf. Naturally, the instructor will also provide time to answer such questions; however, depending on the number of live stream viewers, for the tutor to answer everyone's question within the time allocated can be a challenge, so please understand.
What should prepare for the event?
We suggest having either a pen and paper or electronic note-taking device as you watch the live stream.
How do I access the event?
Once you have purchased a ticket on Eventbrite, you will receive two emails: one from Eventbrite confirming your purchase and another from the live stream provider, Crowdcast, with your unique link to the live stream. If you do not receive two emails, please check your spam folder or else please contact QWC.
Can I playback the live stream after the event has happened?
Yes! You will have access to the live stream for seven days after the event. If you are watching the playback after the live stream, please keep in mind that you won't be able to use the chat feature and ask questions to the presenter. For the best experience, we highly recommend watching live. After seven days your access will be revoked. You cannot purchase access to the live stream after the physical event has started.
What am I allowed to say in the group chat?
The group chat is a fantastic way to interact and collaborate with other online participants, the QWC live stream facilitator, and the presenter. We expect members to be courteous and respectful in the group chat. The same behaviour you would conduct yourself in person at a QWC event is expected online. The QWC live stream facilitator will ban any participants who don't abide by these rules so other participants can enjoy the event. If you are banned you will not be refunded the admission.
How do I improve the video quality of my live stream?
Every live stream is broadcasted in high definition. To watch the live stream in the best quality, select the gear icon in the bottom left of the video and select the highest possible resolution (in most cases this is 720p).
What internet browser should I use?
Our live stream provider, Crowdcast, recommends using Google Chrome to watch the live stream. However, the live stream does support Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari.
Can I watch the live stream on my mobile device?
On Android, Crowdcast can be used with Chrome for Android or Firefox for Android.
On iOS, you can use the Crowdcast app or view in your favourite Mobile browser!
If using the app, you can access the event by clicking the link sent to your email on your device and this will open the event in the app.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
You can contact us by phone on 07 3842 9922 or email us at admin@qldwriters.org.au