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Editing is a crucial stage of writing a creative piece of writing – it brings focus, clarity and luminosity to your manuscript and makes it shine out of any slush pile. But editing is not simply correcting typos and moving commas.

Editing a manuscript involves many ‘big picture’ considerations. In this one-week online workshop, Kate Forsyth will teach you some of the secrets to editing a draft manuscript and making it shine. You’ll learn to examine the big picture, focusing on opening and closing lines, chapter length and in particular how to develop mood, atmosphere and foreshadowing, and maintain voice.

This is an intense practical workshop, with the opportunity to receive peer and tutor feedback on a chapter of your work. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions relating specifically to their own work, and to gain some feedback from Kate on their novels.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. A thorough understanding of how to develop mood, atmosphere and foreshadowing, and maintain voice.
2. Many useful editing techniques that will help you grow as both an artist and a craftsperson
3. New insight into your own writing style, its strengths and flaws, and problems to watch out for both as you write and as you edit

Participant Requirements

All participants must have a one-paragraph synopsis, as well as a draft chapter of a fiction novel or novella, 1700-2500 words, ready for the course start date.

We’ve designed this online course to meet your learning needs. You can work through the lesson material, ask questions, and engage with fellow writers throughout the course. Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

Please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course, noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person.

You do not need to log into the course at a specific time of day and there are no live meetings. You will receive a link to access the online classroom by 10am on the day the course starts.

• Participants will work through several lessons, which will open sequentially over the first few days of the course (see course dates in the blue box above).
• You can complete the lesson material in your own time.
• This course includes short writing assignments and the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback and some tutor feedback.

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of online creative writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.