Every year when the Brisbane Writer's Festival is on, I try to go to at least one workshop. It's an amazing atmosphere to attend, writers and readers mingling over books, and it's the number one event I have booked in every year without fail.
This year I went to The Art of Story by James Phelan (I also learnt I've been pronouncing his last name wrong the whole time- Pee-lan not Pel-lan. Who'd have thought?) Anyways, to date, I think this is by far one of the most informative workshops I've been to. I'd read the Alone trilogy about a boy surviving in a YA post apocalyptic world doing his best to survive against other humans who've been infected. So yes, very compelling writing and definitely someone I'd want to learn from to improve my own.
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| Source: Better Reading |
James covered quite a lot about story in the short 3 hours that we had. What I enjoyed the most was that we weren't sitting there writing and critiquing our own work. I know what you're thinking, why go to a workshop for then? But my point is, how many times do you get to spend a few hours with a famous Author? Plus, a part of me still feels anxious about sharing anything I've written so this was pretty awesome.
If I could give any other Author any kind of feedback on workshops, it would be this: Take the same approach as James Phelan. Hand out pamphlets or notes, anything that can be taken away and worked on after the workshop is over. Use that time going over the journey that got you there and always answer questions!! It will make the whole experience more memorable and give the attendee something they can always go back to, other than the notes they take, to make the whole workshop worthwhile.
I met some very interesting people while there, each person with their own very unusual background. There were architects, accountants, other writers and most importantly dudes in shorts :). If anyone else was thinking of going to a workshop and had James Phelan as an option to go see, I recommend it!! His workshop was funny, informative and well worth the money!!
In the next week or so, keep an eye out as I'll be doing a giveaway for a signed copy of The Spy, the first Jed Walker book!!
Follow James Phelan Here:
