To enrol in the 2021 version of this course, go here>>

We hate it in real life, but in realistic narrative fiction which involves characters we care about, it’s a necessity. In this one-week online writing workshop, Cate Kennedy will help writers explore how to take characters not where they want to go, but where they need to go: into the vortex of conflict.

This online workshop is designed for writers who want their work to feel enlivened with greater dramatic tension and compelling storylines. The group will look at how a story’s shape is structured around a central conflict, and how external and internal conflict interact in a story to create a satisfying sense of unity and momentum.

Is this online course right for you? Read our FAQ >

From the ancient Greeks to what’s on Netflix, this workshop will take a long-range look into what galvanises a plot and what a character struggles with. To develop these insights and skills, participants will engage in writing and rewriting scenes during the day.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. An understanding of how a story’s structural integrity is built around a character in conflict.
2. The usefulness of studying and integrating the three arenas of conflict in fiction, and an entertaining, inclusive approach to integrating ‘dark’ material into storylines.
3. Some keys and prompts to creating fiction which is naturalistic, plausible and compelling.

 Participant Requirements

Participants must have written short stories or have a novel in progress as part of their creative writing experience, and have thoughts to share about structure, characterisation and setting.

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program.

There are no specific times you need to be available for this course.

• There will be a new lesson posted each day while the course is running (see course dates in the blue box above).
• You can complete the lesson material in your own time.
• There will be assignments which have deadlines. To be guaranteed tutor feedback, you will need to complete the assignments by the deadline.

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 can find out more about the course by reading our frequently asked questions.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

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