Writers' weekend could kickstart career | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

If your New Year's resolution is to finally write that novel you've had in your head or on scraps of paper for years, perhaps a weekend of creative brainstorming will help you.

John Cranna, author and former creative writing teacher at AUT, is running a Summer Fiction course over the weekend of January 13-15 in his Auckland Creative Hub. 

If you haven't heard of it, the Creative Hub runs full-time writing courses through the year - taught by people who certainly know how to do it. Authors, playwrights and editors involved in the full-time courses include Tessa Duder, Paula Morris, Graham Reid and Roger Hall amongst many others - all respected in their craft (see the website).

John, founder of the Hub and a former winner of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for best first book, reckons a "taster" writing course could be what many creative types need to kickstart their writing.

The Creative Hub's physical setting is certainly enough to inspire. It's on Princes Wharf, surrounded by sea and boats, plus bars and restaurants should you require a little quaffing to jumpstart the grey matter post Christmas. It's a location you wouldn't write about, so to speak.

"I was wandering past the Maritime Museum one day, and saw a room that looked underused," John says, explaining how he came to run the courses there. "I approached the Museum director, who agreed to allow us to use the waterfront room, waves lapping nearby, for our courses in the evenings and weekends."

This weekend course will be held there, and is designed for unpublished writers.

"They might have dabbled in some poetry, be keeping a journal, tried a short story or two, or just want to explore their own 'voice'," explains John.

He says it will cover the "basic nuts and bolts of writing - how to choose a point of view; how to write strong scenes and how to pare down your dialogue so it's punchy and riveting."

It's not necessary to be published in any form, to undertake the course.  

"The only prerequisite is a desire to improve your writing, and have fun while doing so it helps if you have a passion for language, and for storytelling," John says.

Some of the work is done in groups, and people should "be prepared for candid - but supportive - feedback" on their work.

John says in his experience, even though people may not be published writers, they still have a good feel for what works in a piece of fiction, as they have usually read a lot.

"Their experience as thoughtful readers, interested in fiction, greatly benefits fellow students. I'm always surprised at how much consensus there is in a group on the strengths and weaknesses of a piece under discussion. As group facilitator I make sure that students are offered two parts positive feedback on their work, to one part constructive criticism."

He says research shows this kind of format is the best way to learn a new skill in a feedback-based group learning environment.

"Students stay motivated if the environment is basically positive. And I also comment on the student's work. As an experienced writer, with three published books, and as a former editor of a mainstream magazine, I find students appreciate a professional opinion on their work."

The course has room for 14 people and was half full by December 24, so John says people would need to get onto it if they are interested.

But he says people will come away with a great toolbox of commonly accepted implements required to write compelling fiction.

"We take a hands on, exercise-based approach, working in pairs and in groups. Students are taught the core craft techniques that have been around for hundreds of years.

"Start-out writers can save months - even years, by acquiring this skill set in a short space of time. The course helps cut corners."

And, he says, it is also fun. That's fun with a view.

WHAT Summer Fiction Writing Course
WHEN January 13-15
WHERE The Creative Hub, Princes Wharf
HOW MUCH $420
WEB www.thecreativehub.net.nz
EMAIL enquiries@thecreativehub.net.nz