First Time Fiction: Tools for Novice Writers Over 25

The urge to write fiction can strike at any time – and in anyone’s life. But if it’s your first time, you probably need to get answers and a bit of direction to some of the problems you’re discovering. You'll also want to test your writing on a genuinely engaged audience, but it can be nerve-wracking to throw yourself and your writing into an arena full of feisty, experienced practitioners.

This six-month long gentle critique course is designed for first-time fiction writers over 25. The group will meet for two hours once a month and is designed to take you through the essentials of fiction writing with the intention of creating an ongoing ‘gentle critiquing and guidance’ group that will provide you with an ongoing home in this new land of fiction writing. 

The course is taught by published non-fiction writer and successful fiction-writing tutor Dr Rosemary Montgomery with guest teaching by published fiction writer Alyssa J Montgomery (no relation – their names just worked out that way!). They will offer respectful guidance for the most common writing problems. 

It also introduces the art of useful, non-invasive critiquing: "No sneers. No putdowns. No flame-throwing." (Ursula Le Guin)

The course will meet at Wollongong Library, 1.30pm-3.30pm on the second Saturday of each month, from 10 February to 6 July.

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Rosemary is an internationally published academic author whose Ph.D. thesis won a place in Picador’s ‘Thesis to Book’ program. She has also successfully supported and edited first time fiction writers. 

Alyssa Montgomery is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance published by Escape Publishing, Harlequin Enterprises Australia. She also writes medieval romance as Alyssa James. 

THE FEE FOR THIS COURSE CAN BE PAID IN INSTALLMENTS - please contact the SCWC if you would like to arrange this.