Deborah Abela: The Main Job of an Author is to Create Trouble

Session description:

Writing Workshop During my workshops, I cover the basic principle of writing: the main job of a writer is to create trouble. For a story to be effective it needs conflict or complications. When you put characters in a situation, ask what they want and how you can make it almost impossible to get it. I like to stimulate students’ ideas by engaging them in aural and written games and activities. I like to take kids through how I write, from planning to final draft, by describing a section of a novel and asking them what kind of trouble could happen next. Once we do this, we look more closely at planning, character, language and editing

Topics:

Getting started, the bones of your story, planning, creating trouble, character, language, editing and polishing your ideas and writing.