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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.

This course with Dr David Roland, for writers of both fiction and non-fiction, introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth to provide participants with a framework to examine what happens after a major trauma or life disruption and how, paradoxically, this can lead to new beginnings and new ways of being.

Through lesson material, writing exercises and group discussion, participants will learn a roadmap or narrative arc that provides a scaffold to develop their own life stories or those of others whether fictional or factual.

During the workshop it won’t be necessary for participants to reveal the details of their trauma or life crisis, or their writing exercise responses. To understand how psychological growth can follow on from traumatic events, the workshop focuses on the cognitive and emotional processes in the aftermath of trauma and how these can be fashioned into story. The workshop processes are designed to provide a sense of safety and self-care. 

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. An understanding of the post-traumatic growth concepts and how they play out following a life trauma or life crisis.
2. A roadmap or narrative arc that provides a scaffold for writers to develop their own life stories or those of others, in either fiction or non-fiction.
3. Inspiration and motivation – this is an uplifting workshop that will get those who are stuck with their life writing into writing again with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Participant requirements

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

If you are feeling unwell and experiencing any COVID-related symptoms on the day of the course, you must stay at home and contact us to let us know. As a participant in this course, you will be required to follow all COVID safety measures in place by Writing NSW to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community.

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.