For writers of fiction and non-fiction, examine what happens after trauma or life disruption and how this can lead to new beginnings.

This course with Dr David Roland, for writers of both fiction and non-fiction, introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth to provide participants with a framework to examine what happens after a major trauma or life disruption and how, paradoxically, this can lead to new beginnings and new stories.

Through lesson material, writing exercises and group discussion, participants will learn a roadmap or narrative arc that provides a scaffold to develop their own life stories or those of others whether fictional or factual. It won’t be necessary for participants to reveal the details of their trauma or life crisis or their writing exercise responses. They will learn how psychological growth can follow from traumatic events, The workshop focuses on the cognitive and emotional processes in the aftermath of trauma and how these can be fashioned into a growth story. No literary writing expertise is required. The workshop is designed to provide a sense of safety and self-care. This is an uplifting workshop.

Learning outcomes

An understanding of the post-traumatic growth concepts and how they play out following a life trauma or life crisis.
A roadmap or narrative arc that provides a scaffold for writers to develop their own life stories or those of others, in either fiction or non-fiction.
New insights into your own life story.
Ways in which to assist others in writing their growth stories.
Inspiration and motivation – this workshop will progress your life writing with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Format

This is a live stream workshop, with a focus on craft; it will be held solely online via Zoom. It is a level 1 course and is suitable to attend for writers of all levels: beginners, intermediate and emerging. A 7-day replay will be made available to participants.

About David

Dr David Roland is a narrative non-fiction writer and psychologist whose work is informed by his lived experience and his professional training. He is the author of The Power of Suffering: growing through life crises (Simon & Schuster, 2020), How I Rescued My Brain: a psychologist’s remarkable recovery from stroke and trauma (Scribe) and The Confident Performer (NewSouth). He is published in Best Australian Science Writing 2015 and featured in national and international publications, radio and television. In 2015, he was awarded the Stroke Foundation’s Creative Award. He has academic publications in the fields of performance anxiety and vicarious trauma.

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