Explore and exploit the inherent energy of conflict to power your story.

In her writing, Maryrose has turned both fictional conflicts rooted in social issues and real-world crime into compelling stories. Conflict, whether violently explosive or the niggling tension between siblings, has the power to energise a manuscript, reveal character, and add layers and complexity to a plot. Aimed at emerging and beginning writers, this workshop will use examples and exercises to give participants tools to exploit the inherent energy of conflict, whether you're working on a novel, short stories, memoir, or true crime.

Learning Outcomes

As part of this workshop, you will:

Discover why conflict is essential for compelling story-telling.
Learn how conflict can:
- reveal character and relationships.
- energise a flagging narrative.
- and add complexity to characters and plot.
Explore how to insert conflict – trivial, explosive, or anything in between – into your fiction or non-fiction to make it more layered, engaging and propulsive.

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be held at Queensland Writers Centre. This workshop is designed with a focus on beginner writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction, but is suitable for writers of all levels and backgrounds.

About Maryrose

Maryrose Cuskelly writes fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of two novels: 'The Cane', shortlisted for Best Crime Fiction Debut in the 2022 Davitt Awards, and 'The Campers'. Her book, 'Wedderburn: A true tale of blood and dust', was longlisted for Best Debut and Best True Crime in the 2019 Davitt Awards, and in 2016 she was awarded the New England Thunderbolt Prize for her essay, ‘Well before dark’.  

Maryrose’s other works include 'Original Skin: Exploring the marvels of the human hide' and 'The End of Charity: Time for social enterprise', co-written with Nic Frances, which won the Iremonger Award for Writing on Public Issues.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info

Contact the host of Enhance Your Stories Through Conflict with Maryrose Cuskelly