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Participants in face to face courses must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must comply with any other precautionary measures Writing NSW puts in place.

The number one thing you can do to become a better writer, is to become a better reader. Through close reading and discussion of a range of fiction extracts, as well as in-class writing exercises you’ll learn to identify and assess a variety of writing techniques and approaches to craft. You’ll leave the course with greater confidence in discussing fiction from a writer’s perspective and practical tips for applying what you’ve learnt to your own writing. Join author Emily Maguire for this interactive workshop about reading like a writer.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will:

1. Gain confidence in identifying and discussing various elements of craft
2. Learn to ‘reverse engineer’ a text to figure out how the writer has created a particular effect
3. Practice applying those techniques to your own work

This workshop takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Participant requirements

Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

Participants will be asked to read the provided materials (short extracts from published works) before the course commences. A pen and paper, laptop or something else to write on will be required in class.

If you have questions about this course and/or COVID-safe guidelines, please contact us.

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of in-person writing courses in Sydney, our online 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.