National Association of Writers and Groups (development site – not for public use – official site: www.nawg.co.uk)

NAWGFest 2016 Workshops & Talks

Here are details of the workshops and talks for NAWGFest 2016. Complete details are available in our brochure.

Also on the site are mini-biographies and photos for the festival tutors and speakers.

Bookable Workshops

There are twenty workshops to choose from, all of which will add to and compliment your writing skills…

Workshops ↑

Here's a quick summary of the workshops. Click the name links for workshop details.

Della Galton ↑

Ideas and opening paragraphs (for short stories) Saturday AM (Galton-Sat-01)

This workshop will focus on short stories. Where do ideas come from? What makes a good opening paragraph? What is the one thing you must not do in an opening paragraph?

Developing plot and character (short stories) Saturday PM (Galton-Sat-02)

Plot and character are intrinsically linked. There is very little time to develop either in a short story but without them your story won't work. This workshop focuses on how to develop the two in tandem.

Writing excellent dialogue – my top tips (suitable for short or long fiction) Sunday AM (Galton-Sun-01)

No two people sound exactly the same and neither should your characters. This is a fun workshop that will help you to make sure your characters don't all sound like you.

Writing the twist-ending short story Sunday PM (Galton-Sun-02)

This is still one of the most popular types of story. Fun to read but difficult to write well. This workshop will focus on the types of twists there are and the dos and don'ts when writing twist endings.

Stephen Booth ↑

An Inspector Calls Saturday AM (Booth-Sat-01)

This workshop looks at how to create a believable protagonist for your crime novel with strengths, weaknesses and motivation. And what about the antagonist? Includes use of "The Diamond" to form a multi-dimensional character.

Just answer the question Saturday PM (Booth-Sat-02)

Examines the importance of controlling point of view to engage readers with a character and involve them in the story. Considers how much information you should give away in a crime novel – and how to keep some vital clues from the reader.

Where the bodies are buried Sunday AM (Booth-Sun-01)

Locations have become very important for crime fiction readers. This workshop considers how to choose the right location for your story and bring it to life. And what about background settings? How much detail should you use?

You'll never get away with it Sunday PM (Booth-Sun-02)

Focuses on plotting a crime novel: the ways of creating conflict, and how to carry your reader through to the end of the book. Should you stick to a three-act structure, or could there be four acts? Includes the concept of "the midpoint".

Steve Bowkett ↑

Writing ghost stories Saturday AM (Bowkett-Sat-01)

The focus of this workshop will be the creation of atmosphere and tension within the context of the ghost story. The work of M.R. James will be used as an exemplar. James (1862—1936) is considered to be one of the foremost British ghost story writers. His advice to other writers was:

Two ingredients most valuable in the concocting of a ghost story are, to me, the atmosphere and the nicely managed crescendo. … Let us, then, be introduced to the actors in a placid way; let us see them going about their ordinary business, undisturbed by forebodings, pleased with their surroundings; and into this calm environment let the ominous thing put out its head, unobtrusively at first, and then more insistently, until it holds the stage.

He also noted:

Another requisite, in my opinion, is that the ghost should be malevolent or odious: amiable and helpful apparitions are all very well in fairy tales or in local legends, but I have no use for them in a fictitious ghost story.

The Mysteries technique Saturday PM (Bowkett-Sat-02)

This workshop uses what is called the "Mysteries" technique as a story-building tool. Pieces of information about a story-in-the-making are written on scraps of paper, which are then arranged and rearranged to gain new ideas and insights into plot, characters and settings. The technique will be demonstrated using a children's whodunit story before delegates have the chance to work on a plot of their own.

Creating characters Sunday AM (Bowkett-Sun-01)

Believable characters are an essential element of any short story. This workshop offers a number of tips and techniques for exploring characters in depth, including "The Circles Game", "The World Inside" and "Creative Conversations".

Learn self-hypnosis to boost your creativity Sunday PM (Bowkett-Sun-02)

Hypnosis is a normal and natural state of mind very similar to daydreaming. Steve is a qualified hypnotherapist who has taught hundreds of people how to enter the hypnotic state in order to tap more directly into the subconscious mind, where the roots of our creativity lie. During the workshop delegates will enjoy a session of hypnosis relaxation and then be shown how to use the hypnotic state to benefit their writing. Each delegate will receive a relaxation CD to practise the skill of self-hypnosis.

Adam Strickson ↑

Under the skin – poetry as 'life writing' Saturday AM (Strickson-Sat-01)

Through reading, reflection and writing exercises, we will explore how poetry can be used as a form of biography to dig deeply into the lives of those we know or admire. Adam's poems tell the stories of many different people, from a Cotswold farmer to a holocaust survivor, from Laurie Lee to Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He will share the characteristics of his approach and invite you to celebrate or commemorate the people in your life.

High heels and walking boots: dressing your characters – for writers of script, prose and poetry. Saturday PM (Strickson-Sat-02)

How can what she or he or wears bring a character to life? Find out how high heels, walking boots, a kagoule or a fedora can light up your character writing. We'll read some fine examples of the art and write some ourselves. You could come with a partly formed character in mind or invent one in the workshop. Or you could even bring an item of clothing to inspire you.

Hear ye, hear ye! – beginning radio drama Sunday AM (Strickson-Sun-01)

There's a constant demand for radio drama and we can listen to it every day. But what makes radio drama come alive? What rivets the listener in the first five minutes, and stops the station switch radio playwrights' dread? We'll listen to some powerful opening scenes and write one ourselves. And we'll find out what makes the worst radio drama ever.

'Alive in the river of light' – the poetry of water Sunday PM (Strickson-Sun-02)

We'll share writing about rivers from Alice Oswald, Mary Oliver, Ted Hughes and Simon Armitage, and exchange our own watery memories. Can working with water imagery help our own poetry flow? We'll explore ideas for poetic structures that reflect the nature of this slippery element. Come prepared to spend some time outdoors, rain or shine!

Marvin Close ↑

The Comedy Sketch Saturday AM (Close-Sat-01)

Using film and video clips, we'll look at all the tools and tips you need to start writing comedy sketches, for radio, TV and internet, or stage and public performance.

The Comedy Monologue Saturday PM (Close-Sat-02)

A great short form of comedy entertainment, we'll look at a host of different approaches to coming up with ideas and structuring them for both performance and in the written form. For pointers, we'll listen to one of comedy's greatest ever monologue merchants, Bob Newhart.

The Sitcom Sunday AM (Close-Sun-01)

Where to look for inspiration, create believable characters, storyline and plot. Using examples from the likes of Blackadder, Father Ted, Peep Show and Parks and Recreation, we'll look at how laugh-out-loud moments can be dramatically structured into this classic comedy form.

Selling Comedy Sunday PM (Close-Sun-02)

Who to approach and how. What opportunities exist out there for sketches, monologues, sitcom ideas, comedy short stories and one liners, magazine pieces et al. This session will look in detail at the opportunities that exist for selling comedy in the UK and abroad.

Talks ↑

Here's a quick summary of the talks. Click the name links for details.

Joyce Worsfold ↑

Go on, I Dare You! Friday 8:20 pm Chancellor's Suite

A talk about daring to dream and then making dreams happen, based on Joyce's own experience of writing, performing, self publishing and being published.

There will also be excerpts and anecdotes from her novel, A Fistful of Marigolds about which Gervase Phinn said:

"If you enjoy a warm-hearted, life affirming and penetrating read then A Fistful of Marigolds is for you. Written in a lively, accessible and entertaining style, the story captures the joys, misfortunes and pleasures of an inspirational teacher who clearly loved her work with children."

A Fistful of Marigolds

It's the beginning of a new school term in 1973 and Kathy Johnson needs a fresh start. Thirty, unmarried and a teacher in a primary school on a run-down council estate, she is beginning to feel that life has passed her by. She needs to move on, but is still haunted by a tragic secret from her past.

However, the disadvantaged people of Becklefield have problems of their own and it's not long before Kathy is irresistibly drawn into their tumultuous lives. A devastating fire; mice and marigolds, parental abuse and apathy, poverty and passion, plus knights, castles, cub scouts and hilarious days out all become entwined into yet another hectic school year. Kathy needs faith and hope to get through but can a church community really help?

Add to that a boy obsessed by Beethoven, a girl who finds hope through a love of flowers and the confusion of several children from the estate all sharing one father exquisitely wrapped up in two poignant love stories and the heart-warming tale of Kathy's life turns prejudices and assumptions upside down and tells just how it is in this chaotic neighbourhood.

Stuart Gibbon ↑

Murder! Saturday 1:20 pm Engineering F107

This talk covers some of the challenges facing a senior detective in charge of murder cases. It includes information about initial steps, crime scenes, suspect enquiries, forensic evidence and custody procedures. Stuart delivers the talk based around a generic scenario from discovery of a body through to the arrest and detention of a suspect. Although the talk deals specifically with murder, there are similarities with other types of criminal investigation.

Stuart has had positive feedback from writers who have heard the talk. Not only does it provide the details to ensure that their procedural elements are accurate, it also gives them ideas for future work.

Gervase Phinn ↑

The Limits of My Language Saturday PM after Gala Dinner

English can be such a beautiful language when used properly. However, sometimes what we say and what we write can lead to a great deal of misunderstanding and unintentional humour. Referring to his latest books, Mangled English and Schooldays are the Happiest Days of Our Lives, Professor Gervase Phinn will take a light-hearted look at our rich and powerful language.

Timetable ↑

The full timetable can be viewed in a separate article.

Author: Kevin Machin ♦ Created: 12-Feb-2016 ♦ Access: public ♦ Article: fest-16-workshops ♦ Topics: old WordPress site, NAWGFest, events