DATE: Saturday 13th April & Saturday 20th April

Who is this for?

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have you begun the process and found yourself stuck with a bad case of writer’s block? Do you feel the call of creative writing, but would like to learn more about the mechanics?

This course is for you.

Consider this the shallow end of the pool, where you will learn all the basic elements of strong creative writing to put you in the best position to both create and continue your own writing practice.

What will you learn?

Day One:

Research, Inspiration & Nourishing the Writer’s Imagination – Part One
Outlining & Organization for the Creative Writer
Character Development
Strong Beginnings
Place & Senses

Day Two:

Research, Inspiration & Nourishing the Writer’s Imagination – Part Two
Developing your unique voice
Creating Pace & Tension
Killing Your Darlings – how to self-edit your early drafts
Strong Endings

What will you leave with?

One complete, or nearly complete, short story which will illustrate all of the methods and tools you’ve acquired
A template & roadmap to apply to your creative writing life
Inspiration and big juicy ideas – and the skill set to bring them to life.
New connections and contacts – and potentially a writers’ group!

Location & Times

Location: Bangalow Showgrounds
Dates: Saturday 13th April and Saturday 20th April
Times: 9am-3pm both days
What to bring: laptop, notebook & pen, yoga mat or blanket, water bottle, smartphone with camera.

Cost:

$500 per person
Course limited to 10 participants to ensure optimal experience

Cost includes:
Nutritious morning tea & lunch, as well as coffee & tea, to keep your creative juices flowing.
Thirty minute ‘pilates for writers’ gentle stretching & tension relief segment each day
Ongoing access to all course material outlines
One 30 minute follow up video conference with instructor within six months of completion
A signed copy of both of Naima Brown’s books (The Shot [fiction], and How To Age Against the Machine [non-fiction].

About The Instructor

Naima Brown is the author of The Shot (fiction, Pan Macmillan, 2023), How To Age Against the Machine (non-fiction, Hardie Grant, 2023), and the upcoming novel Mother Tongue (Pan Macmillan, 2025). Her short fiction has appeared in Popshot Magazine and the Love On The Road anthology. Her essays have appeared in The Guardian Australia, Vogue Australia, and more. In addition to her writing, she is also a documentary (SBS, Channel 7) and podcast producer, having created five Audible Original series.

How to book

Email naima@duststar.com.au with the subject line: April Workshop