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Emotional honesty is a must-have for writers of both fiction and creative nonfiction, particularly because it is a key element in a writer’s voice. A powerful, singular writer’s voice expresses our truth, warts and all – no matter the genre we work in.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Emotional honesty matters from the very start – when we decide what story to tell. It is also crucial in maintaining our creative vision in our works, ensuring we stay true to who we are even when we write about sensitive material from our lives or about characters seemingly ‘not like us’. A major part of a powerful writer’s voice is to know how to capture, and capture vividly, the complexity of human emotions, and generally how to be honest about the intricate, often paradoxical nature of lived experiences. Yet mastering such writing can be challenging, and uncomfortable too. The course is derived from Lee Kofman’s book on writing – The Writer Laid Bare: Mastering Emotional Honesty in a Writer’s Art, Craft and Life.

In this course, we’ll explore what emotional honesty means in the context of writing and hone reflective skills. We’ll also consider common roadblocks that prevent writers from being honest, and strategies to deal with these hurdles and grow more courageous. This course involves submitting short writing exercises, and giving and receiving peer feedback. Participants will receive limited tutor feedback.

This interactive online course has limited places. Book early to avoid missing out. 

Expected Learning Outcomes 

1. Understanding the concept of emotional honesty in writing
2. Finetuning our choices of writing subjects
3. Learning to describe emotions truthfully and vividly
4. Honing tolerance for complexity and paradox in our writing

Participant Requirements

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. We recommend allocating an hour a day to the course while it is running. By setting aside this time, you will get the most out of the course, and be able to engage with other participants and the tutor.

You do not need to log into the course at a specific time and there are no live meetings. You will receive an email with an invitation link to join 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.