Randwick's Reading Takeover: Writing Your Novel: Balancing Plot and Theme

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

Plot and theme are both essential to crafting a compelling novel, but how do they interact on the page and in the story? Learn about the distinctions of plot and theme while taking a bird’s eye view of your novel-in-progress to discover how to strengthen both aspects.

We’ll discuss insights into plot and theme, map out an example from popular fiction, and take time to evaluate and develop your current draft at the macro-story level.

This workshop is suitable for writers early in the first draft process, as well as those in the revision phase of their manuscript. Memoir and other narrative nonfiction writers also welcome.

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

About the Facilitator
Ashley Kalagian Blunt is 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 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.

Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, she lived and worked in South Korea, Peru and Mexico before moving to Gadigal land. Her latest thrillers are Cold Truth, which was also shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards, and Like, Follow, Die.

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
Workshop: Creating Character through Dialogue, 10am to 12pm,
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
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.

Subscribe to the Creative Randwick Newsletter to discover more events like this.

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.