Masterclass Workshops

The festival offers a series of Masterclass writing workshops throughout the festival.  Masterclass workshops have registration fees associated with them.  Interested individuals must sign up for these workshops in advance.  Space is very limited.  Our writing workshops typically sell out.

Masterclass #1: FICTION
10am - 1pm
Wednesday, April 2
Keeshan Goodman Library
$15 per person
Instructor: Douglas Arthur Brown

The focus of this three-hour introductory workshop is character motivation, dialogue and shifting the point of view among characters. Participants will also be introduced to tools of the trade (a writer’s library of reference books), effectively planning time to write, and overcoming writer’s block.

Masterclass #2:  Writing for Young Adults
2:pm - 4pm
Thursday, April 3, 2008
CBC Radio Room, South Park Street Entrance
$15 per person
Instructor: Martha Brooks

So if you are drawing powerfully from life to create fiction, what
difference does it make who it's for? And just what, exactly, is at the core
of an enduring Young Adult character? Martha Brooks answers these questions,
plus any others you wish to bring, in a masterwork class about finding voice
and fitting it to story.

Masterclass #3:
THE IMPERTINENCE OF LIFE
Finding and using your story-telling voice
2pm - 4:30pm
Friday, April 4, 2008
VENUE CHANGE:  LORD NELSON HOTEL
$15 per person
Instructor: Frances Itani

Frances Itani will discuss aspects of fiction writing: the use of concrete detail; finding the voice of your characters; exercising restraint; solving problems of structure; working with theme and resonance. A full hour will also be provided for discussion, and for questions by participants about problems encountered in their own work.

Masterclass #4: Writing and Illustrating for Children
2pm - 4:30pm
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Spring Garden Road Public Library
$25 per person
Instructor: Oliver Jeffers

April 1-5, 2008