In this workshop, internationally published and awarded author Kathleen Jennings introduces you to an intuitive, organic way to understand short story structure. You will try out a refreshing approach to understanding stories as a writer. You will then use that approach to begin building up new story ideas and structures (techniques you can adapt to other forms of writing).
This technique is compatible with what you already know about story structure, but appropriate for those new to grappling with narrative techniques, and is suitable for those with or without a humanities background!
Note: please read at least one short story just before the workshop
Learning outcomes
Attendees will learn:
• to read a short story like a writer
• to quickly analyse and discuss story-shapes
• some ways to generate story ideas
• a technique for creating your own quick-reference guide to story shapes
• to rapidly build an idea up into a story outline
• to quickly land a tricky ending
• to adjust tone and mood
About the presenter: Kathleen Jennings is an award-winning illustrator and writer. As a writer, she has won a British Fantasy Award (the Sydney J Bounds Award) and two Ditmars and been shortlisted for the World Fantasy Awards, the Locus Awards, the Courier-Mail People’s Choice Book of the Year Award, the Crawford Award, the Australian Shadows Award, the Eugie Foster Memorial Award, and several Aurealis Awards. She has an MPhil and a PhD in Creative Writing.
You must attend at least 75% of the session otherwise you may be marked absent.
About Communication
Learning to communicate effectively is critical to your ability to transfer your knowledge and research, build relationships, and gain employment. As you progress in your career these skills will become more important. The ability to master verbal, non-verbal, interpersonal, and written communication will allow you to communicate with clarity and influence. ‘Effective communication’ also appears in almost every job advertisement as a skill required by employers.
Useful links
- Linked In courses (access via UQ Library login)
- Effective Communication, Better Science blog
- The Good Presentation Video: This video aims to help doctoral students (and others) improve their presentation skills. Good presentation skills are essential for students while undertaking a PhD, and in their future careers, whether in academia or elsewhere.