Randwick's Reading Takeover: Creating Character Through Dialogue

Part of Randwick City Council's Town Hall Takeover.

Make more time for the books in your life! Over two weekends, Randwick’s Reading Takeover celebrates books through a variety of events. Hear authors from across genres discuss their favourite books, then luxuriate in dedicated reading time, with snacks provided! Plus, for emerging writers, we’ve got workshops and writing space.

About this workshop

One of the ways we craft character is through dialogue. But dialogue is never simply conversation transcribed onto the page. It is rhythm, pressure, avoidance, performance, intimacy. People rarely say exactly what they mean, so how do we write that?

Through a series of exercises, you'll explore approaches to dialogue that will give you new insights into bringing characters to life through their unique voices.

This two-hour workshop with internationally published author Kavita Bedford is suitable for writers of novels, memoir, short stories and creative nonfiction at any stage, whether you're new to crafting dialogue or would like to deepen your skills.

Come prepared to write with pen/paper (or preferred device).

About the Facilitator

Kavita Bedford is an Australian-Indian writer and teacher working across literary fiction, hybrid narrative, and creative practice. Her work explores migration, identity, intimacy, and the emotional lives of cities. Her debut novel, Friends and Dark Shapes, was published internationally in 2021 and shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards, the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, and the Small Press Network Book of the Year. Her fiction and essays have appeared in The Guardian, Guernica, The Saturday Paper, The Griffith Review, Roads & Kingdoms, and Island Magazine. She has taught and facilitated programs for organisations including Faber Academy, Sydney Writers’ Festival, The Walkley Foundation, Melbourne Writers Festival, University of Technology Sydney, and Macquarie University. She is currently completing her second novel.

Randwick's Reading Takeover features the following other events and workshops:

Saturday  12 September
Author Panel Talk, 10am – 12pm
Read-in and Write-In, 12pm to 4pm,

Sunday 13 September
Read-In and Write-in, 12pm to 4pm,

Saturday 28 November
Author Panel Talk, 10am to 12pm,
Read-in and Write-In, 12pm to 4pm,

Sunday 29 November
Workshop: Writing Your Novel, Balancing Plot and Theme, 10am to 12pm,
Read-In and Write-in, 12pm to 4pm,

About the Artist
Randwick's Reading Takeover is organised by Ashley Kalagian Blunt, a multi-genre author who’s passionate about reading. She’s the number one bestselling author of Dark Mode, a psychological thriller published in multiple territories and languages, and shortlisted for the ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction. Her latest thrillers are Cold Truth, which was also shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards, and Like, Follow, Die.

Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, collected fiction and essays. She co-hosts James and Ashley Stay at Home, a podcast about creativity, writing and health, and teaches writing workshops across Australia.

Ashley is teaming up with authors from across genres to celebrate reading and support emerging writers.

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Access

Randwick Town Hall is located on the ground floor at 90 Avoca Street, Randwick.

The main entrance is via double doors located on Frances Street. From this entrance there are 8 steps with handrails to reach the hall.

There is a wheelchair accessible entry via the carpark on Avoca Street. There is an accessible car park located on Frances Street.

If you would like a Council staff member to reach out to you and discuss your access requirements, please select the checkbox on ticketing registration.

Town Hall Takeover takes place on the land of the Gadigal and Bidjigal people. We pay respect to Elders past and present, recognising their strength, wisdom and creativity.