Demystifying the Writing Process with Graeme Simsion

A novel, unlike that story in a bar or a two-thousand-word essay, is a substantial project which can seem like an impossible feat, whether you’re figuring out where to start or you’re 30,000 words in with nowhere to go.

‘Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.’ This oft-misattributed quote reflects a general sentiment about writing as romantic, torturous and, implicitly, unteachable. This one-day in-person workshop introduces another approach, based on established theories of creativity and design, to adopt a more structured and reliable process.

In this course on novel writing, story structure and project management, acclaimed author Graeme Simsion demystifies the secrets behind his beloved Rosie trilogy and other bestsellers including The Best of Adam Sharp, the Two Steps books, and the Menzies Mental Health Trilogy.

You’ll learn how to approach your manuscript as a project, with a clear path from conception to a final manuscript. The process is broken down into no-nonsense, practical steps that you can actually do. And better yet, this course is designed so that you can adapt each part of the process to your own individual project.

Expected Learning Outcomes

In this workshop, participants will:

1. A top-view and practical understanding of the steps involved in the novel-writing process from conception to final draft, and the ability to adapt and apply this to the plan of undertaking of a long-form fiction project.

2. A comprehensive view of how each step in the process relates to writing craft, including how to develop a concept and brainstorm ideas; how to create a comprehensive but useable outline; how to write from an outline; how to write and edit a first draft; and how to submit for publication.

3. A variety of easily replicable exercises to come back to when facing creative blocks or unsure where to go next.

Participant requirements

Bring your own pen and paper or fully charged device.

Is this workshop right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling.

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

Participants will have the chance to purchase a copy of The Novel Project: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Novel, Memoir or Biography, which is full of practical and hands-on information to keep you on track.