Workshops
Whether you class yourself as a beginner, novice or intermediate, this series of fun and practical workshops is for you. Join our Writer in Residence, Peter McAllister, for a different Creative Writing workshop each month from March to August 2024 and start improving your writing.
Each workshop can be enjoyed individually, should you wish to focus on one specific aspect of your writing (characterisation, plot etc.) If you’d rather attend the entire course however, you will benefit from additional support including 1-2-1 coaching and editing/feedback on writing you complete outside of the workshops.
Find out more below more about what’s on offer and to book
About Your Writer in Residence: Peter McAllister Peter studied English Literature at The University of Cambridge and was awarded a Distinction for his MA in Creative Writing. He is the editor and co-founder of Inkfish Magazine and a committee member for the Penzance Literary Festival. Read More…..
Writer in Residence – Workshop Package
£90
Should you wish to attend all the workshops detailed above, consider booking them as a package in advance and you’ll receive additional support from our Writer in Residence, Peter McAllister, valued at £90!
Those buying the full package will receive access to all 3 workshops, three 1-2-1 sessions (on in person, two online) and a 3,000 edit of their work.
This package offers:
- One in-person 30 minute 1-2-1 coaching session (following a workshop)
- One 30 minute online 1-2-1 coaching session (at a time of your choosing)
- An edit of 3,000 words of your writing
- Attendance at all 3 workshops:
– Saturday 22nd June 2024 10am-1pm Plot & Structure
– Saturday 13th July 2024 10am-1pm Dialogue
– Saturday 17th August 2024 10am-1pm Writing For Competition
Plot & Structure
Saturday 22nd June 10am-1pm
£30
Keep readers glued to your pages and avoid the dreaded ‘story-wandering’ by mastering the essential elements of plot and structure. In this workshop – whether a seasoned writer or complete beginner – you’ll learn how to write compelling prose and poetry that keeps readers on an exciting journey of discovery by exploring:
- What plot and structure are
- Brainstorming of new ideas
- Shape/structure of a story
- Storyboarding and storytelling
- How to plot using story arcs and diagrams.
You’ll write lots on this workshop and read anything aloud that you’d like to (no pressure if you’d rather not). Should you wish, you’ll receive positive, constructive feedback on your writing and will leave with a better understanding of how to make your work linger in the mind of readers long after they’ve read it
Dialogue
Saturday 13th July 10am-1pm
£30
Writing good dialogue can be hard. It’s extremely important to keep readers immersed in your story and sometimes, unbelievable dialogue can pull them out of it. Keep readers turning those pages by mastering this essential skill and start having fun with the way your characters talk to each other.
In this workshop – whether a seasoned writer or complete beginner – you’ll learn how to write believable dialogue that serves a purpose in your story by exploring:
- What makes believable dialogue
- How characters in conflict converse
- How to inject subtext into your dialogue
- How dialogue can inform character
- Revealing story through dialogue
You’ll write lots on this workshop and read anything aloud that you’d like to (no pressure if you’d rather not). Should you wish, you’ll receive positive, constructive feedback on your writing and will leave with a better understanding of how to make your work linger in the mind of readers long after they’ve read it.
Writing for Competition
Saturday 17th August 10am-1pm
£30
Competitions are an important tool we can use to help nurture our writing skills and profile. But how and why should we approach them?
You may be looking to better structure your writing practice, gain industry/reader exposure, win an award or perhaps even go viral. You might be hoping to attract an agent, publisher or mentor. Writing for competition can help you get closer to all of these goals. In this workshop, whether a seasoned writer or complete beginner, you’ll learn how best to leverage competitions and the writing you produce for them by:
- Exploring the importance of writing competitions
- Considering what different competitions are looking for
- Gaining insight into how other writers plan for and enter competitions
- Drafting an entry for a competition of your choosing
- Learning about the Liskeard Library Creative Writing Competition
You’ll write lots on this workshop and read anything aloud that you’d like to (no pressure if you’d rather not). Should you wish, you’ll receive positive, constructive feedback on your work and will leave with a better understanding of the important role competitions can play in your writing. You’ll also develop a framework/strategy to funnel your own competition entries through.
The Liskeard Library Creative Writing Competition closes for general entries in July 2024, however attendees of this session will – as part of the cost of their workshop – be allowed to submit one entry for judging. As a result, you may see your work distributed within the library and be paid for it too.