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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 tutor has requested that for this course, all participants wear a mask.

Emotion, feeling, and embodiment are crucial in literary writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, yet traditionally, prose writing has been conceived of as a cognitive activity (poetry has more readily been associated with emotion). But the ‘affective turn’, a shift in the humanities and beyond, has invited new thinking about the ways in which emotion and feeling inform writing, reading, and all modes of communication.

This course with Meera Atkinson explores emotion, feeling, affect and embodiment, and why they matter when it comes to writing. Through discussion, ‘reading as a writer’ reflections on selected texts, and writing exercises, participants will gain insight into the various options for and effects of working with emotion in writing.

This workshop takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will:

1. Develop a nuanced understanding of the importance and operations of affect and emotion in fiction and non-fiction writing (and communication in general).
2. Have increased clarity around the challenges of, and options for, writing emotion.
3. Produce new writing that demonstrates the above learning.

 Participant requirements

Pen and paper, laptop optional. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

Pre-reading: participants will receive PDF readings the week prior to the workshop, to be read in advance. Bring pen and paper, or fully charged device.

The tutor has requested that for this course, all participants wear a mask.

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

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