Aspiring writers can hone their story-telling skills with an award-winning writer in a new course, running fortnightly in Hobart from 19 August.
Run by the non-profit Tasmanian Writers’ Centre, the short story course will be taught by author Philomena van Rijswijk, a winner of the National Year of Reading short story competition last year.
Writers’ Centre Director, Ms Chris Gallagher, said the course welcomed participants who are new to writing short stories as well as those with experience.
“The short story is the closest literary art form to story-telling, and is becoming even more relevant and popular,” she said.
“Philomena is an experienced author, teacher and judge of national short story competitions, so the expertise she brings to this course will be outstanding.”
‘A series of six sessions allows writers time to explore, craft and refine their work.’
The course will run fortnightly on Sunday mornings. Topics covered include:
* The shape of the short story – why suspense and twists are a cop-out
* The poetry of the short story – hinting at hidden depths
* Authenticity in your stories – place, time, language, dialogue and paradox
* How loving your characters means loving real people
* Where to start a story – not with a bang and not with a whimper
* Where to finish a story – handing over, and leaving room for the reader
Ms van Rijswijk said she was excited about working with aspiring and experienced writers in Hobart.
‘Writers need to be nurtured,’ she said. “We will work in a non-judgemental, encouraging atmosphere.”
“This workshop will explore the wonderfully creative act of writing a short story, as well as understanding craft and technique.
“I’m hoping that writers will be enthused to go home and try the different ideas that we will develop throughout the course.’
Philomena van Rijswijk is a Tasmanian novelist, poet and short story writer whose work has been published throughout Australia, in Ireland and India, and in Hindi translations. She is an experienced teacher and judge of national short story competitions. Philomena has published reviews of fiction and poetry and has been fiction editor of “Coastlines”, an Australian/Indonesian literary magazine. Her novel The World as a Clockface is described as “an impressive Australian historical fantasy… Van Rijswijk’s style owes more to Garcia Marquez and Borges than to English-speaking writers. … her story is ethereal, quirky and complex.” (Scratch Pad 68, 2008)
The Tasmanian Writers’ Centre’s short story writing course, A Fireside Companion, with Philomena van Rijswijk, will be held fortnightly from 9.30am to 12 noon on Sundays, beginning on Sunday 19 August, at the Salamanca Arts Centre Meeting Room. Fees are $264 for the six sessions, plus membership fee from $25. Payment in two instalments can be requested. The Centre is also offering two scholarships for people aged 25 or under, the fee for these is $200. For bookings, email [email protected] or phone 6224 0029. Full details are at www.tasmanianwriters.org.
