Through a series of practical exercises, workshops and discussions, students will develop stories with the potential to become fully-fledged novels
Overview
You may have an incredible idea for a novel, but without characters to care about, readers will see your plots and action as just stuff that happens to imaginary strangers.
Led by Kate Mosse, author of the multi-million-selling novel Labyrinth and co-founder of the Orange Prize for Fiction, this weekend offers a wealth of discussions, workshops and practical exercises that will expand the way you think about characters you think you already know intimately. You'll learn how their pasts drive their futures, how to keep their actions and reactions in character, and how to ensure their dialogue sounds natural without being pedestrian.
By the end of the weekend, you'll have deep understanding of what makes a strong character, along with a detailed plot outline with the potential to become – with hours of additional hard work, of course – a fully-fledged novel.
Course content
This is an intermediate-level course aimed at writers who already have an idea for a novel, have already started writing but are unsure how to progress, or feel their work needs more substance. The topics covered include:
-Depth of chacterisation: How did your characters become those people?
-Character development: What happened to your characters in their history?
-Acting and reacting in character
-Character-driven plot: Structuring a life story
-Plot development
-Working with a complete cast list
-Natural dialogue and the rhythm of direct speech
There will also be ample time for individual feedback and Q&A.
Tutor profiles
Kate Mosse is the author of three non-fiction books, one play and five novels, including the multi-million selling international No 1 bestseller, Labyrinth. Translated into 37 languages and published in 40 countries, it won 'Richard & Judy's Best Read' at the 2006 British Book Awards and chosen as one of Waterstone's Top 100 novels of the past twenty five years. She is a guest presenter for BBC Radio 4's A Good Read, a book reviewer for BBC Breakfast News and Late Review. Co-Founder & Honorary Director of the Orange Prize for Fiction, she is also Co-Director of the Chichester Writing Festival with her husband, Greg Mosse. Her new Languedoc novel, Citadel, will be published in the autumn.
Greg Mosse's creative writing teaching is based around the development of craft skills – well-judged sentences, paragraphs, episodes and chapters are the building blocks of good novels. He is programme leader for creative writing at West Dean College where he teaches his own MA degree, validated by University of Sussex, and a wide range of short courses. He also teaches the Southbank Centre Creative Writing School. His knowledge of his subject comes from more than 20 years' professional experience as teacher, editor, translator and writer.
To book
Details
Dates: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2012
Times: 10am-5pm
Location: The Guardian, 90 York Way, King's Cross, London, N1 9GU
Prices:
☻Early bird special (a limited number of places at a reduced price for people who book in advance)£349
☻ Regular price £399
(all prices include VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
Dress code: There is no dress code for Masterclasses. Please dress however you feel comfortable.
Testimonials from previous Guardian Masterclasses
Outstanding. Content was exactly as advertised and was brought to life by the sharing of examples of good and bad writing.
The content and delivery were absolutely superb. Best creative writing course/teaching that I have experienced.
Overall I thought it was excellent. I thought that Greg and Kate Mosse provided a very well thought out course that conveyed a lot of practical, useful information in a very friendly and engaging and positive atmosphere. I was surprised by how much it was possible to learn in two days and I would certainly sign up for similar courses, particularly any courses taught by them.
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