Start to Write

online

Start to Write

w/ Ben Hobson

Have you always wanted to write fiction? Everyone needs to start somewhere, and Start to Write is the course designed to get you across the basics, as you begin to generate ideas and get your very first words down on the page.

6.30 – 8.30pm (AEDT)
Thursdays 16, 23, 30 March 2023

Online

$200 / $175 (alumni)

This is a past course.

Over three weekly evening sessions, you’ll get the hands-on teaching you need to start writing fiction, from acclaimed novelist Ben Hobson. Working with Ben and your fellow classmates you will:

Discover the tools you need to start writing.
Overcome common problems shared by emerging writers.
Understand some of the key fundamentals of writing fiction.
Meet other aspiring writers starting out in a welcoming, supportive online classroom.

This course is designed to help you foster ideas, play with structure and techniques, and to get your words going – plus, practical advice on ‘where to next’. Interactivity is encouraged throughout, and there will be space for questions and answers during each session.

Your course includes:

A complimentary copy of a recent A&U publication
On completion of the course, alumni discounts on future Faber Writing Academy courses and books from the Allen & Unwin website.

Writers you'll be working with:

Ben Hobson

Ben Hobson is a teacher of English and Music, and an author, based in Brisbane. In 2014 his novella, If the Saddle Breaks My Spine, was shortlisted for the Viva La Novella prize. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in 2017. It was longlisted for the ABIA Debut Fiction award, and shortlisted for…

Course outline

3 x Thursdays, 6.30 – 8.30 pm ADST

Session 1: Thursday 16 March
Ideas: where to start your thinking
Mapping out a variety of approaches from famous authors
Getting into a scene
Learning from errors
The vomit draft, and the slow work of refinement

Session 2: Thursday 23 March
Basic foundational storytelling
Show, don’t tell: What does it mean exactly?
Intention and obstacle: the heart of good drama
Writing research

Session 3: Thursday 30 March
Dialogue in practice
Adding tension
Common mistakes to avoid
How do you know when it’s done? Redrafting techniques
Where do I send it? Practical advice

Praise for this course

“A terrific course to reacquaint with the basics, and reawaken the drive and passion for the craft of writing.”

“This is a brilliant course to help emerging writers understand the basic pillars of quality fiction. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with fellow writers.”

“Ben has a really warm, funny and engaging presence. He is an incredibly generous instructor, sharing his own vulnerabilities and experiences and hard won wisdom. The insights into his own creative process were fascinating and instructive.”

“Teaching: Excellent! Class structure: Excellent! Delivery of feedback: Excellent. Ben was quick to respond in detail.”

How to Book

This is a past course.