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This writing course, Short Stories: Being a Reader and a Writer with Michelle Cahill, takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

In this course with prize-winning short story writer Michelle Cahill, you will learn how to appreciate and hone the craft of writing short fiction. How does the story move through the visual and the narrative realms of storytelling to making us consider deeper things? It might be relationships, gender or control or power or loss, or trauma, or it might be storytelling itself.  We will focus on how reading short fiction makes us better writers and members of an interpretive community.

The course will provide detailed guidance on beginnings and endings, character, voice, point of view, narrative tension, plot, and dramatic structure. We consider how these elements can work in different ways to engage readers, affirming or challenging their assumptions. You’ll learn how to bring distinction to prose writing, become more flexible with your skills, improve your editing, and gain insights into getting published. If your goal is to work on a book of short stories, this course is for you. Reading material (stories by Lauren Groff and SJ Norman) will be provided to participants a week in advance.

The short story can bring futuristic awakenings and invigorated ways of seeing and understanding ourselves in the places where we live, and in our connectedness to other beings.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Bring some work you may wish to share an extract from, and some writing materials for exercises. Workshopping is a respectful, interactive practice that sustains the ancient art of storytelling. We focus on the embodied aspects of prose: voice and form. You’ll meet other writers so you can continue to be inspired, network with and support each other as a group.

Read this Writing NSW guide for more information about the value of peer feedback.

Expected learning outcomes

In this workshop, participants will:

1. Learn about the craft of the contemporary short story
2. Understand the elements of voice, narrative tension, plot, and dramatic structure
3. Hone their skills as a critical reader of short stories
4. Complete guided exercises to improve their reading and writing of short stories
5. Sharpen their short fiction editing skills with a view to publication
6. Workshop an extract of their work if they choose.

This workshop takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Participant requirements

Please bring pen and paper, or a fully charged device. Reading materials provided in advance.

Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

If you have questions about this course, 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.