If you’re interested in finding out when this course runs again, sign up for our Newsbite weekly newsletter for updates. In the meantime, check out our list of current courses.

Participants in face to face courses must comply with any precautionary measures related to COVID-19 that Writing NSW puts in place.

This crime writing course, Writing Crime Fiction with Greg Woodland, will be held at Writing NSW in Sydney.

In this workshop, Greg Woodland will ask some tricky questions (such as: Where’s the body?) and look at examples from modern masters of crime fiction to help you uncover your inner detective and dig deeper into the elements of writing crime fiction.

Questions we’ll consider:

• Who’s my audience? We’ll explore sub-genres of crime fiction: cosy or gritty; mystery or thriller; creepy or violent, and whether to use suspense or shock.
• Who are my suspects? Everybody’s got something to hide… let’s talk about how to assign motive with inner and outer conflict, and create authentic characterisation.
• What issues does the investigation raise? This is where theme comes into play.
• Your three most important characters: the detective, the killer, and the place –landscape and setting as a character in itself, with weather as a reflection of character and mood. Urban or rural; city or outback town; desert or coastal?
• To subvert the tropes… or not to subvert the tropes?
• To outline… or not to outline? Let’s talk plotting versus pantsing.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Expected learning outcomes

In this workshop, participants will improve their understanding of:

• The core elements of writing crime fiction.
• What it takes to create an original detective, an all-powerful killer, and an original and atmospheric setting.
• How to use conflict and suspense in writing a page-turner.

Participant requirements

Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

Please bring pen and paper, or fully charged device.

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.