Book now Sunday 8 March 2015
The human brain is the original and ultimate storyteller. It's a biological machine that naturally turns the events of our lives into a dramatic narrative. Storytellers work by exploiting these functions, often without knowing exactly how they're doing it or why. Using the latest research from neuroscience and psychology, writer Will Storr reveals how authors, screenwriters and journalists can make their writing richer and more compelling by understanding the brain's inherent storytelling processes.
During this thought-provoking seminar, you'll find out how readers relate to characters and how to write a psychological arc for your protagonist that will surprise, enrich and ultimately satisfy your audience. You'll also learn how to produce cognitively addictive plots and how to design credible antagonists. Whether you're a literary or genre writer, working for page or screen, this is a refreshingly different take on creative writing that will give you new perspectives on your own work, and help you understand the neurological common ground of all audiences.
This course is for you if...
- You're a screenwriter, novelist, journalist or other creative writer who would like insight into how audiences relate to stories, and how the human mind interprets plots, characters and points of view.
Course description
This in-depth, largely theoretical seminar probes the storytelling mechanisms of the brain and explains how writers can exploit its natural functions in their work. No previous knowledge of neuroscience or psychology is necessary. Topics covered on the day include:
- The basics of how a brain works, in reconstructing the world around it and reconstructing story
- Unconscious processing and its importance to the writer
- Confabulation and the brain's inherent storytelling mechanisms.
- The psychology of the hero and the psychology of you
- Self, personality and character
- Antagonists and the psychology of evil
- Science of storytelling essential principles
- A new answer to the old question - why do we tell stories?
Tutor profile
Will Storr is an award-winning writer and photographer. He is the author of three critically acclaimed books including The Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science and the novel The Hunger and the Howling of Killian Lone. Will is also a prolific journalist who has contributed to publications including Observer Magazine and Guardian Weekend. He is also contributing editor at Esquire magazine, GQ Australia and Matter. Will has been named New Journalist of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year, and has won a National Press Club award for excellence, and in 2012, he was presented with the One World Press award and the Amnesty International award for his work for The Observer on sexual violence against men. Find out more about Will on his website.
Book now Sunday 8 March 2015
Details
Date: Sunday 8 March 2015
Times: 10am-4pm. Check-in begins 30 minutes before the start time.
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £249 (includes VAT, booking fee, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 18
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.
