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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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A masterclass in storytelling and plot with acclaimed author Nikesh Shukla

Photo by David Hartley/REX/Shutterstock (12530756o) Author and Screenwriter Nikesh Shukla. Cheltenham Literature Festival, Cheltenham, UK - 09 Oct 2021
Photo by David Hartley/REX/Shutterstock (12530756o) Author and Screenwriter Nikesh Shukla. Cheltenham Literature Festival, Cheltenham, UK - 09 Oct 2021 Photograph: David Hartley/REX/Shutterstock

The old adage goes that everyone has a book within them - and this is possibly true, but what is also true is this: writing can be difficult, requires resilience and perseverance, and, truthfully, few people push through the challenges to make it to the end of their first draft. Rather than getting stuck, discover how to effectively construct your story by learning how to combine the three essential elements: character, storytelling and plot.

Drawing on his upcoming creative writing guide, Your Story Matters, and in a friendly and informal virtual setting, author, screenwriter and writing mentor Nikesh Shukla will help you to draw out your story in a way that will hone your skills, boost your confidence and assure you that it is worthy of being told.

Learn how to get your plot, character and story talking to each other in a structured manner, and how to ensure that your characters are leading your reader through the plot and not letting the plot dictate what happens to them. Crucially, discover how to boost your confidence and strengthen your resilience to carry you through a writing process that, far from being a slog, can be empowering.

Course content

  • Three elements that need to work together: character, storytelling and plot

  • How not to let the plot dictate what happens to your character

  • Building a story around your characters

  • Constructing a plot that services your story

This course is for …

  • Writers at any stage of their creative process, writing in any genre

Tutor profile

Nikesh Shukla is an author, screenwriter and one of the most prominent UK voices on diversity and inclusion in the arts. Nikesh is a contributing editor to the Observer Magazine and was previously its columnist. He is the editor of bestselling essay collection The Good Immigrant, which won the Reader’s Choice at the Books Are My Bag Awards, and was shortlisted for Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. He is the author of a number of books, including Coconut Unlimited (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize), Meatspace, Run Riot, The Boxer, Brown Baby and is co-editor of The Good Immigrant USA.

Nikesh’s creative writing guide Your Story Matters: Find Your Voice, Sharpen Your Skills, Tell Your Story is released on 17 March 2022. If you live in the UK, you can purchase a book and ticket for the combined price of £62.08 including P&P.

Details

Dates: Tuesday 22 March 2022
Times: 6.30-8.30pm (GMT)
Price: £49 (plus £2.66 booking fee) or £62.08 for book + ticket (plus £3.22 booking fee)

This masterclass is available globally. If you are joining us from outside the United Kingdom, please use this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6.30pm GMT | 7.30pm CET | 11.30am PDT | 2.30pm EDT

You will be sent a link to the webinar 2hrs before the start time of 6.30pm (BST).

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Information on Guardian Masterclasses

To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.

By enrolling on this masterclass, you’re helping to support the Guardian, and this allows us to keep our quality reporting open to all.

All Guardian Masterclasses are fully accessible - but please contact us if you have any queries or concerns.

Returns policy
Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.


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