Writing with emotion (in person)

Our characters’ life experiences are inevitably interlinked with the rising and falling tides of emotions. How can we best paint the emotional landscape of their stories with our words? How can we best ‘show not tell’? And what lies beyond ‘show don’t tell’?

This 3-hour creative practical workshop is an opportunity to explore an intuitive approach to writing with emotion than you might normally find, informed by oral storytelling traditions and the art of rhetoric. It’s instinctive and body-based on the one hand; intelligent and practical on the other. We’ll be focusing on writing exercises which combine theory and practice: analysing techniques and relating them to the effects we are aiming to have on our readers.

OUTLINE:

1. Introduction and ground rules (c. 15 mins)
2. Sample readings – your work or work of a writer whose work you admire (c. 40–45 mins) a. What emotion did you want the reader or listener to feel? b. What did most readers or listeners get? c. Valuable chance to get feedback, confirmation, new information, identify any gaps and explore ways to minimise these.
3. Practical theory: An easy way to understand emotion (c. 40–45 mins) a. Writing exercise b. Sharing
4. Practical theory: beyond ‘show don’t tell’ (c. 40–45 mins) a. Writing exercise b. Sharing
5. Voluntary sharing, option for feedback, and group discussion (c. 15–20 mins)

Bring your thoughts on emotion to share.

3-hour writing workshop held IN PERSON