New to writing in 2016, I took Year of the Novel and found the experience wonderful. It allowed me to focus on my writing across a whole year, which was liberating, energising, and challenging all at once. I was very pleased to hear that Melissa Ashley will be taking YON in 2020. Her skills as a creative writing teacher, her in-class organisation skills, care for students' learning process, and her gentle humour will make it an incredible YON to be a part of.
- Meredith Taylor, previous YON participant
Make 2020 your year and get that first draft done and dusted!
Year of the Novel returns in 2020 so you can follow through with your New Years' resolution to get that book out of your head and onto the page. Attend five full-day workshops throughout the year, each detailing the steps you need to take when writing the first draft of your novel. Run by award-winning author, researcher, and tutor, Melissa Ashley, receive practical advice and inspiration so you can maintain your writing pace and finish the year writing 'the end'. Melissa will also provide written feedback on up to 10 pages of your work-in-progress.
All attendees will receive a complimentary 1-year membership to the Queensland Writers Centre.
Learning Outcomes:
You will hone writing skillset and draft a full-length novel through practical exercises, group discussions, critique sessions, and homework in the key areas listed below:
Develop your personal skills in the craft of narrative writing.
Learn techniques to pre-draft and generate ideas.
Structure your narrative on a macro and micro level.
Craft characters with goals and flaws.
Build your novel's world and setting.
Find your author voice and writing style.
Develop an appreciation for the business of writing and publishing.
Dates / Times:
10.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 2 February 2020
10.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 29 March 2020
10.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 7 June 2020
10.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 2 August 2020
10.30am - 4.30pm, Sunday 4 October 2020
Format:
This is a multi-part craft workshop for intermediate writers.
About Melissa:
Melissa Ashley is the author of The Bee and the Orange Tree (Affirm Press, October 2019) and The Birdman’s Wife (Affirm Press 2016). The latter won the Queensland Literary Awards Fiction prize and the ABA Booksellers Choice Award. She holds a PhD and Masters Degree in Creative Writing (University of Queensland) and a first-class honours degree in English (University of Queensland). She teaches, tutors and facilitates poetry, memoir, fiction, and non-fiction writing courses at writers centers and in university settings.
Photo credit: David-Merrylees
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.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Information on getting to the State Library of Queensland can be found here.
What can I bring into the event?
You can bring either pen and paper or a laptop along with you to write with. If you do bring a laptop, remember to bring a power adaptor.
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
What's the refund policy?
If Queensland Writers Centre cancels an event, we will try to reschedule it for a later date. If we cannot reschedule the event, or if you are unable to attend on the amended date, your payment will be refunded in full.
Except in special circumstances, if you cancel a booking for, or are unable to attend an event, workshop, seminar, or course, Queensland Writers Centre cannot provide a refund. You can contact us to discuss your situation on 07 3842 9922 or email us at admin@qldwriters.org.au
Terms and Conditions
All information is correct at the time of publication. We reserve the right to make changes to the advertised program information (including course content and tutors), but if this occurs, we will try to provide as much notice as possible.
We expect that all participants will behave respectfully and professionally towards their tutor and fellow students. We reserve the right to remove anyone who behaves in an aggressive or disruptive manner. If a participant is asked to leave the class on this basis, we will not offer a refund.
We cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense sustained by students as a result of an event or circumstance whether arising from natural cause, human agency or beyond our control otherwise.