WORKSHOPS

FLOW- Saturday 9 February 2008

Flow will kick-start the Aspects of the Novel Series and aims to get the creative juices pumping. When it comes to writing, are you stuck? Blocked? Not sure how to get started? Then it's time to indulge in some 'acu-writing' or 'word-chi' to free the flow. This workshop, presented by Sydney author and creativity coach Sally Swain, taps into your creative life force with simple, enjoyable exercises that you can take away and re-deploy whenever your muse is on the wane. At the end of the day you will be refreshed and buzzing with confidence to express your true self; awaken your own unique possibilities and ready to write from the heart as well as the head. Sally's first book, Great Housewives of Art, was an international best seller and she specialised in group and individual creativity coaching since 1993, running her successful Art and Soul workshops for major writing groups and arts-based organisations around the country. ($55 NRWC members, $70 non members, max. 15)

BREAKING THE LORE- Saturday 1 March 2008

There are formulas to writing crime fiction. Right? Wrong. What is the difference between Ian Rankin and the plain rack? And what separates a good crime novel from something that should never be released, even on parole? Crime writing is the current darling of the publishers and Breaking the Lore puts this hot-ticket genre under the microscope. Crime novelist Colin Falconer will be hauled in for questioning to help you see if your stories add up. He'll give you clues on why some crime stories are great, and why others end up dead in the water. Bring a fresh body of work for our forensics to look at, as long as 'you dunn it', or exhume an old one and let's breathe life back into it. The autopsy could last all day, because Colin will be examining not only your brains, but your hearts as well. ($55 NRWC members, $70 non members)

CHARACTER & DIALOGUE- Saturday 8 March 2008

Strong, believable characters make us care about the story that's been told. And convincing dialogue is the link that connects us, the reader, to those characters. Character and Dialogue will be presented by writer and poet Cate Kennedy. Cate's workshop will look at ways of inventing convincing characters, developing and getting to know these 'invisible friends' and bringing them to life on the page through dialogue, narrative voice and point-of-view. Cate Kennedy, who lives in Victoria, won hearts and minds as a guest of Byron Bay Writers Festival 2007. She is the author of two poetry collections, a travel memoir set in Mexico, and most recently a collection of prize-winning short stories, Dark Roots, published by Scribe. Cate is currently at work on her first novel.($55 NRWC members, $70 non members, max. 15)

STING IN THE TAIL: SHORT STROY WRITING- Sunday 9 March 2008

A masterclass offering experienced short story writers the opportunity to delve deeply into this challenging genre. Presenter Cate Kennedy is a passionate advocate of the short story and this is a rare opportunity for practising writers to hone their skills with an expert. Cate’s collection of short stories, Dark Roots, was shortlisted for the 2007 Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. Cate is a generous, insightful mentor and if short stories are your passion, you need to be there. (Members $70, non-members $90. Max # 10. Coorabell Hall, Coolamon Scenic Drive, BYRON BAY)

WRITING YOUR LIFE-LIFE WRITING Friday 28 March 2008

A masterclass offering experienced short story writers the opportunity to delve deeply into this challenging genre. Presenter Cate Kennedy is a passionate advocate of the short story and this is a rare opportunity for practising writers to hone their skills with an expert. Cate’s collection of short stories, Dark Roots, was shortlisted for the 2007 Australian Literature Society Gold Medal. Cate is a generous, insightful mentor and if short stories are your passion, you need to be there. (Members $85, non-members $100. Max # 15. Coffs Harbour Education Campus, COFFS HARBOUR - Workshop cost includes a copy of Patti Miller’s text, Writing Your Life.)

MEMOIR – WRITING WITH HEART AND STYLE- Saturday 29 March 2008

Writing memoir is often a process of healing and renewal. But there is also a transforming power in the discipline of writing, which lifts the stories of our lives out of history and therapy and into Art. Life-writing guru Patti Miller explores the elements of good memoir and finds ways to expand the genre, bringing it all together to write with heart and style. This workshop will have much to offer the practising memoir writer but is suitable for fledgling writers as well.
Members $85, non-members $100. Max # 15. Presbyterian Church Hall, Ruskin St, BYRON BAY [Workshop cost includes a copy of Patti Miller’s text, The Memoir Book].

SEMINARS

This year we introduce Publish and Be Damned!, a series of seminars on the publishing industry and its relationship with writers. High profile people from all walks of the publishing divide will be coming to Byron Bay over the coming months to enlighten, encourage and entertain. First cab off the rank is Jeremy Fisher, executive director of the Australian Society of Authors.

So You Want To Be An Author? – Publishing: Wednesday March 5
The book is dead, why be a writer? Despite clamorous calls to the contrary, Jeremy Fisher maintains that books, publishing and reading are actually doing very well. Hear what he has to say about the cultural context for writers in Australia and other thorny issues like copyright, the economics of publishing, opportunities for writers and presenting your work to a publisher or agent.
As executive director of the ASA , the country’s peak body representing writers, Jeremy is well equipped to address these topics. An extensive career in the publishing industry, as a writer, editor and publisher, only strengthens those credentials. So You Want To Be An Author will cover many of the FAQ about publishing and there will be a Q&A at the end to deal with specific issues. If you dream of getting published - soon, one day or even sometime – attending this seminar will be step in the right direction.
Members $20, non-members $25. Lord Byron Resort, Jonson St, BYRON BAY

BOOKING INFORMATION

Bookings essential for all Northern Rivers Writers' Centre events and workshops. Bookings can be made by phoning 02 6685 5115 or emailing susie@nrwc.org.au. We encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment!