This writing course, Disquietude: How to Create Meaningful Terror and Suspense in Fiction with Zahid Gamieldien, will be held at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Readers love the experience of being disquieted by a novel, and some enjoy it when that feeling lingers even after they’ve turned the last page. But how do you generate a sense of disquiet in fiction? And how do you ensure that unnerving story events have subtext and meaning?

In this one-day course with Zahid Gamieldien, author of literary mystery-horror novel All the Missing Children, you’ll learn how to craft scenes of terror and suspense. We’ll look at how these scenes might be structured and discuss how disquieting elements can emerge from the psyche of your character and play a consequential role in their journey of change.

Exercises and group work may focus on: creating a character with psychological depth; generating terror and suspense that’s meaningful for your character and your reader; and structuring and writing scenes that have the capacity to disquiet.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a stronger understanding of how to use elements of terror and suspense to deepen character, unsettle readers and keep them turning the page.

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will:

1. Gain a stronger understanding of what is meant by terror and suspense in fiction
2. Understand how to create characters with psychological depth that is worth interrogating
3. Learn how to link a character’s psyche and inner journey with unsettling external story events
4. Structure, plan and write scenes of terror and suspense.

Participant requirements

• Bring your own pen and paper or fully charged device.

Is this workshop right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling. 

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

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