Have you ever come up with a great idea for a story, only to think, “What happens next?” This workshop with bestselling author S.J. Parris and improvisation expert Sean McCann will help you to craft compelling plots for fiction or drama.
Suitable for aspiring writers and screenwriters, as well as those looking to fine-tune their plotting skills, this unique class includes plenty of writing exercises, plus improvisation techniques to give you a fresh perspective on your creative process.
Content
- Why a well-crafted plot is crucial to all stories (not just thrillers)
- How story structure works and what all great plots have in common
- Plotting out stories for fiction and drama
- How to ensure your characters keep the plot moving forward
- Breaking down your story into acts and scenes
- Building twists and suspense into your narrative
- What novelists can learn from drama and screenwriting techniques
- How to use improvisation techniques to develop storylines
- Practical writing and improv sessions, plus plenty of time for Q&A
Please note a few of the exercises in this class will focus on spoken storytelling techniques, but no acting is involved and no performance experience required
How to write series curated by Lionel Shriver
This Masterclass is part of a series of writing classes this April, specially curated by Lionel Shriver, internationally bestselling author of We Need to Talk About Kevin.
Click here to browse the full range of classes in this series, and book our four-course ticket offer, which includes a complimentary one-to-one feedback session on your writing from Suzie Dooré, Lionel’s editor at The Borough Press, and leading literary agent Ed Wilson.
Tutor profiles
Stephanie Merritt is the award-winning author of eight books, including the bestselling historical crime series written as S. J. Parris, featuring the Italian heretic and spy Giordano Bruno. Books in the series include Sacrilege and Treachery, which has been chosen as a World Book Night title for April 2016. Stephanie has also written scripts for film and TV drama, and writes for the Guardian and the Observer, among others. She tweets @thestephmerritt.
Sean McCann teaches improvisation at Oxford School of Drama, the Royal Academy of Music and Mountview Theatre School. He also directs and teaches at theatre companies around the world, and is a founder member of the groundbreaking West End hit show Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. Sean also runs workshops for professional screenwriters and directors at London Film School.
Details
Date: Saturday 16 April 2016
Times: 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
