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This writing course, Writing Setting and Landscape with James McKenzie Watson, takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

Setting is far more than just a backdrop to narrative – vividly rendered external worlds have the power to enrich character and enhance story in powerful and unexpected ways. This is especially true in a country like Australia, where our dramatic landscapes are so often integral to our stories.

In this workshop with award-winning author James McKenzie Watson, you will explore the role setting plays in character development and practice crafting landscapes that speak to your narratives. Drawing on his own experiences describing rural NSW in his novel Denizen, James will explore the importance of introspection in landscape description and identify what makes good descriptive language work.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

The workshop will include practical advice, techniques and examples, in-class exercises, and resources to take home.

Expected learning outcomes

In this workshop, participants will:

1. Examine examples of landscape writing to understand its functions.
2. Deepen their understanding of how setting enhances story and character.
3. Practice descriptive landscape writing with a focus on character introspection.

Participant requirements

Pen and paper, and/or a fully charged device.

Please read our FAQ> before enrolling. If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

More from Writing NSW

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