Alison Martin
Writing a Novel – Sydney
The Faber scholarship for the Writing a Novel course with Gretchen Shirm and Lauren Aimee Curtis has been immensely beneficial both to my current writing project and to my writing practice in general.
Gretchen and Lauren are each wonderfully talented and experienced writers who have been so generous in sharing their insights, advice and feedback. The course mixes vital learning on the basics of writing a novel – from point of view to lush language to overarching structure – together with practical exercises experimenting with these learnings and applying them to our novels-in-progress. The course provides the solid discipline of weekly lessons, which makes me very conscious that I want to be progressing my novel week by week. The tutors also provide one-on-one feedback and advice, and we also do group workshopping, all of which has been valuable in helping me reflect on my own writing and what I’m trying to do, while also giving me new insights as a reader and writer.
It has been a real joy to get to know the other talented writers and their projects – we’re a supportive group all at different stages of the process and working on varied novels, so we’re all sharing the experience and learning from each other. I’m realising more and more that writing a novel is a feat of endurance – show up to the page and keep writing – and although writing itself is a solitary act, it really helps to have writer friends who are struggling with similar doubts and challenges so we can all cheer each other on. We’re more likely to finish the marathon if we’re running with other people.
Ava Wilschke
Writing a Novel – Melbourne
I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in Faber Writing Academy’s Writing a Novel course in 2024.
When I started, I had a lot of hopes for how my project would turn out, but didn’t know what the process would look like or how to get there. Each workshop, conversation with a classmate, and piece of advice from an industry professional has allowed me to picture my project in a new light.
One of the greatest parts of the course is the writing community it facilitates. Working on a big project can feel isolating, and it has been a pleasure to be surrounded by people who share the similar doubts as well as joys that comes along with the process. The feedback I have received from classmates has been thoughtful, affirming and challenging, and has overall helped me to overcome my fear of sharing my work with others.
The workshops are a pleasure to attend as you can tell how much the tutors love what they do.
We have also been lucky to have a lot of great writers give guest lectures, which are always inspiring and provide a great look into what a life as a writer can look like, which I have learned is so different for everyone.
I realised some of the expectations I held for my novel were holding me back from actually writing it, but with the tools, feedback and inspiration imparted throughout the year, I have begun a more consistent writing practice and am excited about the direction my project is moving in.
Daniel Ray
Writing a Novel – Online
So far, the Writing a Novel Online Scholarship has been wonderful. Carrie Tiffany is a generous, skilled and impressively well-read writer and teacher—I am often in awe of her. Carrie uses well-chosen close readings from other texts during the “lecture” part of the class to discuss various aspects of the novel form. I am now much more attuned to the boundaries of what a novel is: what rules to follow as a writer and which to bend and experiment with. The writing exercises we have done have also been wonderful, often producing usable and surprising excerpts for my project.
The weekly classes have also helped maintain my writing schedule. Everyone is well-motivated and generous, and the class is a supportive, non-competitive place to share writing. The cohort has been attentive to each other, providing thoughtful and constructive feedback, and often meeting outside the class. Writing is often quite a lonely vocation, and it has been lovely to connect with other serious writers in a mutually supportive way.
The workshop component of the course has given me valuable feedback and new insights regarding my project. These insights are both at a sentence level, as well as broader concerns, such as why I am writing it, potential motifs and schemas, and what the novel is really doing with its style, voice, structure, form and the like. Closely reading others’ work and listening to everyone’s feedback, edits and advice has also improved my writing. This course has really emphasised how “good” writing is built on “good” reading.
I would not have been able to afford the course without the scholarship. The scholarship has also aided me with other writing opportunities and applications, including a Create NSW Grant, which I am very thankful for.
Eve Tramacchi O’Keefe
Writing a Novel – Brisbane
Participating in the Faber Writing a Novel course has been an incredible privilege. The past months have served as a wonderful creative anchoring – through the careful dedication and edifying guidance of Kris and Emily, I now find myself firmly situated within a writing practice that is steady and sustainable. The solidarity with and learnings from the other writers in the course have been incredibly generous, and the responsibility we have to one another’s work is truly a gift. The sense of community has such a strong hold, and I know the trading of skills, advice and care will continue long after the course finishes. I now feel like I am learning how best to move through the world like a writer, noticing tiny precious things – all of the story fragments.
Applications for 2025 Faber Scholarships for Writing a Novel are now open.
Full details here.