STORY WORKSHOP
Writing classes Brussels
Content: 10 week STORY WRITING course
WHO?
The STORY WRITING WORKSHOP is aimed at English speaking writers, new or somewhat experienced, from Brussels and surrounds, who are mainly interested in writing for TV, film or Theatre. However, the techniques of good story apply to many writing forms so writers of short stories, novels and childrens books would also benifit from taking this course. Even those who are avid readers or viewers will find it interesting. Participants should be comfortable speaking and writing in English and be aged over 16 years old.
WHAT?
The aim of the course is for participants to learn all the elements of great story and then discover how using these elements in their own work can help them create unforgetable tales.
WHY?
In Brussels, like many places, people dream of writing. Be it a novel, a short story collection, a screenplay or theatre play. Most never begin. Some begin but give up when the going gets tougher. Some start well but later find themselves bogged down in a story that seems to be going nowhere.
The STORY WORKSHOP is designed to impart technical knowlege and to help each participating writer in achieving their specific aims. It looks on story in a holistic sense and promotes planning and structure over blind inspiration.
MATERIALS
The course uses John Truby's "THE ANATOMY OF STORY" book as a guide. Truby is a world renowned screen writing "guru" and has worked for Hollywood studios. But don't let that put you off. His take on story is not simplistic or geared specifically to blockbuster movies. He is equally comfortable talking about Homer's "Odyssey", James Joyce's "Ulysses", Eugene O'Neill's "Long days journey into night" and Richard Curtis's "Four weddings and a funeral".
As well as the course book, we will watch, listen to and analyse extracts from Movies, Theatre plays, and Radio Plays.
Participants will receive notes on the principal topic of each class.
We will break down and analyse screenplay, theatre play, radio play as well as short story and novel extracts.
Patricipants will also have the possibility to borrow freely from over 100 books on creative writing for screen, stage, and novel, many screenplay and theatre play scripts as well as receiving copies of screenplay, radio play, and theatre play extracts.
WHAT IS IT NOT?
The STORY WORKSHOP is not a writing style course. We are interested in the mechanics of how story works and in looking for ways to improve the effect the writing has on the viewer.
Participants will neither be expected to critique each others writing, nor to read their own writing to other members of the group.
Participants do not have to come to the workshop with a writing project. However, having a particular project to work on will certainly help the writer deepen their understanding of what they learn.
CLASSES.
Classes begin with a 45 to 60 minute talk on the particular topic of that week.
The weekly topics will be; 1.STORY SPACE, STORY TIME. 2. PREMISE. 3.THE SEVEN STEPS OF STORY STRUCTURE. 4. CHARACTER. 5. MORAL ARGUMENT. 6. STORY WORLD. 7. SYMBOL WEB. 8 PLOT. 9 SCENE WEAVE. 10. SCENE CONSTRUCTION AND SYMPHONIC DIALOGUE.
As well as the weekly topic talk, using examples on video, and in script form from Film, Theatre, Novels, Mythology, etc, there are short writing exercises to help participants adapt what is being learned to their own work. There is a round table discussion relating to the topic, and some little time for individual "one on one" discussion with the course facilitator, regarding individual writers projects. Finally, participants can choose whether they wish to take some writing exercises or books home or to use what they have learned to develop thir own writing project. There is no "homework". There is a 10 minute break, about half way through the class.
INTERESTED?
You can find all the practical information on the WHERE and WHEN and COST pages, above. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me via the CONTACT page or contact me directly at...
Email: patrick.maher@belgacom.net
Telephone: 0488 471890
Content: Individual PERSONALIZED classes
WHO?
These are one to one classes. They are specifically for writers who...
A. Have already begun a project and would benifit from some objective, informed feedback on their progress so far as well as guidance in taking their project forward.
B. Writers who wish to have individual guidance and support that is concentrated on their needs and the needs of their project. The project can be new or already at an advanced stage of writing.
C. Writers who have finished a draft of a project and would like support and guidance in beginning their next draft as well as advice on submitting work to competitions and publishers.
HOW?
These classes are based on an initial free meeting to discuss requirements. There is no minimum or maximum number of classes.
Suitable for beginners or more advanced.
You can find all the practical information on the WHERE and WHEN and COST pages, above.
INTERESTED?
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me via the CONTACT page or write to me directly at...
Email: patrick.maher@belgacom.net
Telephone: 0488 471890
Content: SHOTS. One off classes
SHOTS is a series of five 2 HOUR classes, each based on one topic.
STRUCTURE: Learn how to create a solid foundation for your story and how, rather than stifling creativity, good structure can free your imagination to let your writing soar.
THEME: Writers often begin to write, only to stop halfway, wondering "what am I writing about?" In this class we look at how to identify a stories theme, how to develop your own stories theme and why a story with a unified theme is a sure way to satisfying an audience.
CHARACTER: In this class we study character. How to create memorable characters and how to connect your characters to your stories theme. We also study ranges of characters, from mythological to modern and learn how to make the characters in our own writing into living, breathing, individuals.
DIALOGUE: Dialogue is the artificial presented as the natural. In this class we learn how to construct great dialogue, which reveals character,subtext and forwards your stories plot. We learn how to avoid cliched dialogue and how to create individual differentiated character voices.
GET IT WRITTEN: Writers Block. Is it real or imagined? Either way, something happens that stops our fingers over the keys or ink flowing from our pens. In this class we study why we stop writing in mid-project, or sometmes before we even begin, and we learn ways of overcoming the dread and fear of the blank page. For writers who have stalled or have not yet begun.
There is a minimum of 3 participants per class in order for these classes to go ahead.
WHO?
Writers who wish for some help in any of the specific aspects covered or who would like to advance their knowledge in particular areas of writing technique. Classes are suitable for beginners or more advanced.
INTERESTED?
You can find all the practical information on the WHERE and WHEN and COST pages, above. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me via the CONTACT page or directly at...
Email: patrick.maher@belgacom.net
Telephone: 0488 471890