Join this online creative writing course about writing trauma with Meera Atkinson.

The prospect of writing trauma can be both daunting and compelling. Meera Atkinson invites those writing or looking to write trauma in any genre to explore this terrain through this online writing workshop.

This online workshop facilitates writing ‘literary trauma testimony’ – writing that uses creative strategies to testify to traumatic experience. It features close readings of selected texts and explores the ethics and potential danger of writing trauma. Participants will complete writing exercises with the aim of producing a piece of literary writing that illuminates individual, collective, and/or transgenerational trauma in some way, and have the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback.

Is this online workshop right for you? Read our FAQ before enrolling>>

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. This interactive online course has limited places. Book early to avoid missing out. 

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. A nuanced understanding of trauma and its operations in literary writing.
2. Increased clarity around the challenges and responsibilities of writing trauma.
3. The production of new writing that demonstrates an engagement with traumatic affect.

Participant Requirements

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. There are no live meetings. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

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.

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

NOTE: This course involves substantial engagement with texts that testify to traumatic experiences, and participants are asked to peer review each other’s writing. While participants have the option of opting out of peer review and skipping any set readings they feel may be damaging, it is best suited for people with established support who feel they can cope with exposure to their own and others’ trauma.

Reviews

‘Meera Atkinson’s comments and the work she set was thought provoking and inspired a curiosity to delve deeper into the subject material.’ – Geetha

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of online courses to develop your writing skills, gain professional and peer feedback and connect to a community of writers. If you’re looking for feedback, we have online feedback courses, manuscript assessments and mentorships available. For information about publishing, editing and answers to other frequently asked questions, head to our free resources for writers.