Gain a sharper understanding of point-of-view and its essential role in all narrative writing.

Deciding your narrative point-of-view—who is telling this story and what is the vantage point—is an essential building block of all writing. In this half-day workshop, we will examine the benefits and shortfalls of various point-of-view options.

What are the benefits of a first-person narrative? Equally, what are the constraints and potential pitfalls of this voice?
When is a third-person voice most effective; and what are the traps to look out for here?
When can second-person be an effective narrative voice?

We will also look at narrative vantage point and ask: from where is the story being told? And how does the narrator’s vantage point affect the emotional tone and direction of the narrative?

Learning outcomes

As part of this workshop, participants will:

Gain a deeper understanding of the workings of POV
Appreciate the importance of narrative vantage point in determining the tone and emotional register of a narrative
Sharpen their appreciation of the pros and cons of various POV options
Understand how POV affects a narrative's structure
Become aware of POV slips and mistakes on the line that undermine the credibility of their narrative

Format

This is an online workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be hosted via Zoom. This workshop is suitable for writers of all levels and writing backgrounds.

About Nadine

Nadine Davidoff is a freelance book editor and writing/editing teacher with extensive trade publishing experience. She has worked as a Senior Editor at Random House and a Commissioning Editor at Black Inc.

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