Sign up now for some great writing workshops
[image error] WORKSHOPS
Registrations are open now for these workshops to be held Friday 30th September 2011. You
can register with chair@conflux.org.au or at the Conflux 7 Registration on the day. Some workshops are free to members, others have fees (details below). Payment may be made on the day.
10AM TO NOON
Getting Started in Writing Speculative Fiction
Workshop with Laura E. Goodin.
Launceston Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
This workshop is for those who would like write speculative fiction, but are only just beginning to write or are thinking about submitting their first story somewhere. Cost: $11 per person (under 18 years free). You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item.
All About Blogging
Workshop with Alan Baxter
Yamba Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
Wikipedia describes "blogs" as a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog." Perhaps you would like to learn more about blogs generally, start blogging yourself, or learn how to make your own blog more interesting?
Presenter Alan Baxter is a speculative fiction author and martial arts teacher. Learn all about Alan at http://www.alanbaxteronline.com. This workshop is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public). Participant numbers are limited for this program item.
Revising your novel: strategies and documents you can use to consider your work objectively.
Workshop with Nicole Murphy
Melrose Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
Nicole Murphy used to be a terrible editor. Spell check. Grammar check. Punctuation check. Submit. Today, she loves to edit – so much so that she doesn't really like drafting, because it takes so long to then get to the editing. How did she turn it around, and develop the skills that enabled her to sell a trilogy to a major publisher?
In this workshop, Nicole will go through the steps she used to teach herself how to edit, and will give you some key advice and resources in order to help you become objective about your own writing. Cost: $11 per person. You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item.
12.30 TO 2.30PM
Staff Fighting Workshop
Workshop with Danny Weir
Launceston Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
Learn some of the techniques for using this traditional weapon.
Danny Weir is an instructor in Brazilian JuJitsu and MMA.
Cost: $33 per person. You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this
workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item, so sign up at
Registration if you would like to attend.
THE What Writers Must Do To Write Professional Fiction
A Workshop with Jack Dann
Melrose Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
Believe it or not, there is a secret to writing professional fiction; and it involves
learning a bit of ancient cartography. (cartis = map and graph = write.)
This 2 hour intensive with Conflux guest, Nebula and World Fantasy Award recipient
Jack Dann, offers participants a hands-on writing strategy and a unique opportunity
to broaden their working understanding of speculative fiction with a writer of
international renown. This workshop will cover technical and thematic aspects of
historical and fantastic fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and magical
realism. Participants will learn about writing in the various genres (and the history of
the genres); the essentials of writing cutting edge fiction and the nature of creativity;
the workings of the Australian, British and American markets; how to get an agent (if
necessary) and how to submit a manuscript. But most importantly, they will learn
how to approach the craft of writing. Participants will also be given handouts of "The
Keys to the Kingdom", which Jack wrote for Writers Digest, an updated "Books For
Writers: An Essential List", and other material that Jack has found helpful for writers.
Cost: $55 per person. You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this
workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item.
3PM TO 5PM
Verbal "Jujitsu"
Workshop with Karen Herkes
Yamba Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
To provide inspiration for writing dialogue, this workshop covers reflective listening
and defensive techniques used by those with something to hide. This workshop is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public).
Participant numbers are limited for this program item, so sign up at Registration if
you would like to attend.
Mind your Medieval Ps and Qs
Workshop with Gillian Polack
Melrose Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were Sir Gawain,and your host's
wife invited you into her bedchamber while her husband was out? Do you have an
appropriate insult for enemy knights who seek to dishonour your king? Then look no
further – Medieval P's and Q's with Gillian Polack will teach you all you need to know
about fine courtesies, foul oaths and witty repartee in the Middle Ages, so that next
time you speak to the Green Knight's wife, you won't lose your head.
Cost: $16.50 per person. You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this
workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item.
"FROM HERE TO THERE1 and back again!"
Workshop presented by Margi Curtis and Leigh Blackmore
Launceston Room, Woden Tradesmen's Club
This experiential workshop will focus upon the many ways in which we access
altered states of consciousness, how they have featured in our favourite SF and how
we may access them for inspiration as writers and creators of our art.
After discussion we will experiment (in a gentle and natural way) with a range of nonordinary states, using relaxation, breath, music, chant, rhythm and guided
meditation.
This workshop would not be suitable for anyone under 16 years of age. This is a
clean and sober event. We may be lying on the floor so please bring a cushion or
yoga mat if you have one. Some provided.
Margi Curtis & Leigh Blackmore are writers, artists and practitioners of magick,
regularly offering workshops on many aspects of occult knowledge and mystery and
its relationship with the creative process. Margi has a Masters of Creative Arts, a
Graduate Diploma in Transpersonal Breathwork and is studying Fine Arts. She
identifies as a witch, writer, artist, musician and activist. Leigh has a Bachelor of
Creative Art(Hons) and is an author, editor, musician and ceremonial magician.
Cost: $11 per person. You do not need to be a Conflux 7 member to attend this
workshop. Participant numbers are limited for this program item, so sign up at
Registration if you would like to attend.
