Fantasy Writing in Fiji
July 19 - 26 2009
Kate Forsyth
Further informatin from 'Paradise Courses'.
Fantasy is one of the most popular genres in the world, read by men and women, adults and children. Fantasy writers like J.K. Rowling, Christopher Paolini, Phillip Pullman, Stephanie Meyer, Robin Hobb, and George R.R. Martin have all achieved fame and fortune writing fantasy, and yet their works are all very different. Spend six days in Fiji with best-selling fantasy writer Kate Forsyth, and find out exactly what 'fantasy' is and why it's so popular.
Kate Forsyth's first novel Dragonclaw was shortlisted for the prestigious Aurealis Award, debuted at No 8 on the Locus Magazine's bestseller list, and was nominated as one of the Top 10 books in 1998 by a new writer. She has since written 22 books for both children and adults that have been published all over the world. Including a picture book for preschoolers, award-winning fantasy series for both younger and older readers, and the immensely popular Witches of Eileanan series, Kate has a BA in Literature and a MA in Writing.
She has a passionate belief in the power of words: it's emblazoned here on her website.
Words are quite simply the most powerful tool human beings have. If you can conquer words and make them work for you, you will have the power to move people to tears or laughter, anger or despair. Words can charm and beguile, disturb and disgust. Words can incite a nation to war and revolution, and they create bridges that can cross the chasms that separate all people.
'All books are either dreams or swords,
You can cut or you can drug with words.'- Amy Lowell
The Course
What fantasy does better than just about any other form of literature is unlock what William Blake called "mind-forged manacles". Fantasy fiction pushes out the boundaries of the known and the possible, engages with the great ontological questions – like the nature of good and evil, fate and self-will – and allows readers to act out their terrors and desires in an imaginary world. During the week, you will:
- explore the different forms of the genre, including romantic fantasy, children's fantasy, urban fantasy, and epic fantasy
- learn to build magical worlds, filled with monsters and marvels
- create characters and creatures that come alive
- play with plots and scheme with story-lines
- learn to understand the underlying structure of all stories
- discover how to begin with a blast and finish with a bang
- discuss how to get your novel published, and then how to make it a bestseller
The only limits are your own imagination!
Kids' Camp
This course runs in the school holidays. We've designed it so that you can bring your kids along if you want – but at the same time they won't disturb the serious business of writing. We'll be running a kids' camp for the under 12s in one of the bures – painting, basket weaving, games, snacks, walks into the bush – to keep them occupied and happy. We won't be allowing them in the pool, as we don't have a qualified life guard – of course, once the workshop is over you can take them in yourself. We'll also plan the accommodation arrangements so that people with children will be at a different end of the resort to those without – we can't guarantee absolute separation but we reckon that anyone into fantasy fiction is up for a bit of indulging in the joys of childhood! Cost: $250 per child.
Programme
Sunday July 19
Leave Australia and fly to Nadi and on to Savusavu.
Drinks and welcome.
Monday July 20
9.30-11.30am - Workshop: Fantasy Worlds
What is fantasy, and why is it so popular?
Who are you writing for? What is your market?
Fantasy world-building and playing with ideas.
Afternoon - visit to Savusavu town
7.00pm - Dinner
Tuesday July 21
9:30-11.30am Workshop: Heroes and Villains
Creating characters - how to make them come alive
Heroes and villains, secret friends and hidden enemies
Stereotypes versus archetypes
Afternoon - Free time for writing/optional outings.
Wednesday July 22
9:30-12.30pm Workshop: Plot and Structure
Plotting and Planning
Learn the underlying structure of all stories
Beginning and Endings
Afternoon - Beach outing
Thursday July 23
9.30-12.30pm Workshop: Editing and Polishing
Learning the art of re-writing, re-writing, re-writing
Common mistakes and how to fix them
A chance to look at your own work with a microscope
Drinks and dinner at Savusavu Yacht Club
Friday July 24
9.30–11.30am Workshop: Selling Your Work
Literary agents, publishers, bookshops, bestsellers lists
How to make writing pay
A chance to ask all the questions you've ever wanted to ask
3.30–5.30pm - Village visit and meke (traditional dance)
Saturday July 25
Final session - Workshopping and discussing your work
Sunday July 26
Return to Australia