Jun 18, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Centre for Stories

• Add to Calendar
• Add to Google Calendar

The English and Literature Curricula require students to produce a creative piece of writing; that is, an imaginative rather than an analytical text. The task is of course assessed, but it also allows less academically able students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts and language use in other than essay form. Producing a polished creative text can also be psychologically beneficial for students, providing them with a sense of pride and pleasure in developing and crafting their stories.

We are offering workshops for the teaching of creative writing in secondary schools. While the focus is on short story writing, many of the ideas covered can also be applied to writing poetry. The workshops will be helpful to students with a basic understanding of narrative and those wishing to experiment with language, form and structure. The overall aim is to make creative writing both an enjoyable and rigorous practice.

Using short writing exercises and direct instruction, this three-hour workshop will cover four steps: how to motivate students to think and write creatively; getting started; developing and concluding a story; and how to edit. We will consider writing both under timed conditions (for in-class work and exams) and writing out-of-class at a more leisurely and reflective pace.

What previous participants of this workshop have said:

“Fantastic student centred activities that can be taken straight into the classroom.”

“Realistic in terms of what can be achieved in the classroom under timed conditions. I loved the sharing.”

“The activities were very useful. Really enjoyed listening to Susan’s expertise.”

• 

  Susan Midalia

  Expand Bio Collapse Bio

  Susan Midalia grew up in the Western Australian wheatbelt and has lived in Perth for most of her adult life. She is the author of three collections of short stories: A History of the Beanbag, An Unknown Sky, and Feet to the Stars. Her collections have been shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards and twice for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. She retired from teaching in 2007 to become a full-time writer and freelance editor. The Art of Persuasion was her first novel.

Help us do more

We’re on a mission to create a diverse, inclusive, and cohesive society through the art of storytelling. Join us in supporting emerging artists and sharing powerful stories from across our community.

Support Us