Workshops
WORKSHOP LEADER
Vicky Grut
Vicky Grut is the recipient of many short fiction awards, including the 2009 Asham Award (finalist), the 2007 Fish One Page Prize (finalist) and the 2006 Chapter One International Short Story Prize (winner). Her stories have appeared in magazines and collections including Random Factor (Pulp Books, 1997), Reshape Whilst Damp (Serpent’s Tail, 2000), Valentine’s Day: Stories of Revenge (Duckworth, 2000), two volumes of the British Council anthology New Writing 13 (Picador, 2005) and NW14 (Granta, 2006), and Waving at the Gardener (Bloomsbury, 2009). She is a reader for the Literary Consultancy and has taught for Birkbeck College, the Open University, the Arvon Foundation and London’s South Bank University.
WORKSHOPS FOR 2010
Creating Fictional Characters, Sat 13th March and Discovering Dialogue, Sun 14th March 2010. Both days co-led by Vicky Grut and novelist Kathy Page.
These two enjoyable and practical workshops can be taken independently or together. Intense, fun and inspiring, both workshops are suitable for beginners and more experienced writers alike. Small groups. Central London venue. Single workshop price: £70. Discount price for both days: £110. Both prices include tea, coffee and a light lunch.
CREATING FICTIONAL CHARACTERS: Saturday 13th March, 10.30 – 4pm
[Call 020 87690290 to check availability]
Character, story and structure are inextricably linked, and for many writers a compelling narrative voice is the starting point. In the course of this workshop, we’ll use a series of exercises to create and then develop a new fictional character. We’ll consider his or her potential in the story, and in the second half of the day, we’ll begin to discover how to bring a character alive on the page. Participants will leave with a new person in their lives, and plenty of ideas for further writing.
DISCOVERING DIALOGUE: Sunday 14th March, 10.30 – 4pm
[Call 020 87690290 to check availability]
Characters come alive when they speak. Yet they mustn’t talk too much! In this workshop we’ll use enjoyable and thought-provoking exercises to explore ways of discovering your characters’ voices, how to get them talking (some of them may say things they regret!) and how to turn what they say into powerful dialogue. Working in a small group format you’ll gain an understanding of how dialogue differs from actual speech, and how it can carry and deepen the story you want to tell.
Both workshops jointly led by Vicky Grut and Kathy Page.
Kathy Page (for March 2010 weekend only)
Kathy Page is the author of seven novels, including The Story of My Face, which was short -listed for the Orange Prize in 2002, and is currently in development with TrueWest Films, and Alphabet, which was short-listed for a Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction in 2005. Her new novel, The Find is forthcoming with McArthur & Co Canada in April 2010. She has written for screen, radio and TV. Born in the UK, Kathy is an accomplished workshop leader and has taught writing in universities and other institutions in the UK, Finland, Estonia, and now in Canada, where she has lived with her husband and two children since 2001. www.KathyPage.info
OTHER COURSES AND WORKSHOPS IN 2010
27 March + 3 half-day follow-ups: Sat 1 May, Sat 5 June, Sat 10 July
THE 2010 NOVELISTS’ CLUB [FULLY BOOKED]
With Vicky Grut
Following the success of the 2009 Novelists’ Club I’ll be running this course again, starting with a one-day workshop in March and three half-day follow-up sessions in May, June and July. The course is for people who are already working on a novel and would like informed feedback, or perhaps help with a particular problem in a supportive environment. The first workshop will concentrate on narrative structure so it’s important that you can come up with an outline in advance. Limited to 6 participants. The course costs £230, which includes lunch at the first workshop. See what people said about the 2009 course. E-mail me now to reserve a place.
22 May, 10.30 – 4pm
THE WRITERS’ WORKOUT
With Vicky Grut
Built around challenging and inspiring writing exercises, this workshop is designed to stretch the imagination, encourage experimentation and help people recharge their creative batteries. There will also be time to discuss writing habits and strategies for dealing with blocks.
26 June, 10.30 – 4pm
WRITING SHORT STORIES
With Vicky Grut
What makes a great short story? Do short stories need a plot? What about a ‘twist’ at the end? Where can you publish? We’ll look at these and other questions, and, using writing exercises, will explore elements of short-form storytelling in practice. Participants will be asked to read a couple of short stories in advance (texts will be supplied).
COST (for all workshops apart from The Novelists’ Club):
- One-day workshop is £70, which includes tea, coffee & a sandwich lunch.
- Sign up for two workshops at the discount rate of £110.
HOW TO BOOK:
For more information or to book for any one of these workshops, e-mail Vicky at londonwritingworkshops@googlemail.com; or call 020-87690290.
Or to pay by paypal Sign up Now
