Workshops
Like being let loose to explore a master story-teller's secret tool-shed with the best guide imaginable – Charlie Ward, historian
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Running annually for the past nine years, Story in Six Weeks is a 6 week x 3 hours per week online or in-house writing course, covering story elements including:
-active characters, character change and character arcs
-forces of antagonism, and the importance of stakes
-the difference between plot and structure, active versus passive plots, cause-and-effect, how to maximise your structural choices
-dialogue, subtext, exposition
-backstory and foreshadowing
-literary form as craft in its own right
-how to articulate the heart of a story through formulating a central, unanswerable question
Participants will emerge with a greater understanding of story craft, and the confidence to move ahead with their work.
Outcomes include a short finished piece, or the bones of a longer form work which participants can continue developing.
Course feedback regularly highlights increased writerly confidence and increased craft skills.
Full course outline available on request.
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A six-hour workshop, diving deep into how to generate strong bones for a new work, or strengthen the bones of a work already in progress.
The Bones of Story supports writers to:
-clarify their character’s story goal
-raise the story stakes
-clarify the forces of antagonism in their story
-finesse plot and structure
-articulate a central, unanswerable question as a ‘pilot light’ to guide their story forward
During this workshop writers will develop a robust structure for a new story, or clarify the challenges in their current work, by stripping the story back to its most basic premise, “A story is about someone who wants something badly, and has trouble getting it” [Louise Gough].
Participants will walk away with: a character with a driving inner/external goal to propel the story forward, a solid story plot, a deeper understanding of how structure can be used to enhance plot choices, a deeper understanding of the importance of story stakes and how to raise them and a solid unanswerable question to keep the story on track during the writing process. This workshop is beneficial to any narrative genre, including non-fiction and long-form narrative poetry. Course outline available on request.
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Participants will emerge with a solid understanding of how to apply dialogue variations [rhythm, silence, subtext, menace, foreshadowing, back story] in order to create complex characters whose motivation emerges organically through their dialogue, thus minimising the need for overt exposition. Samples of published novels, plays and memoirs are used to illustrate how story information, character, relationships and stakes are revealed via the ‘show don’t tell’ principle. Course outline available on request.
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Mary Anne offers a range of workshops, online or in-person. With her two decades of writing practice, years of teaching and mentoring experience, and formal academic studies including a Masters in Creative Writing, a Masters in Arts Education, a DipEd and – currently – a PhD in Literature, she brings to each workshop an inspiring combination of:
in-depth knowledge about the craft of writing
a finely-honed capacity to give feedback, and to guide feedback in group settings
inspiring extant writing resources – samples of excellence in the craft – amassed over two decades, constantly updated
a wealth of mentoring and teaching experience
a generous and open approach to all group dynamics
a highly organised mindset
a capacity to ‘pivot’, catering to the organic nature of some workshops
actively encouraging participant input, ensuring we all learn from each other
a commitment to the pedagogy of metacognitive learning; so that participants gain control of their own writing direction and processes.
What People Are Saying
“Mary Anne is invariably open and generous in her engagement with students and her own passion for writing is inspiring. She draws on a wealth of experience, always willing to offer another perspective and more resources on alternative models. At one point, when I was quite stuck on what I wanted to do, I did a one-on-one session with her and that really helped me work through that particular problem and got me moving again with fresh inspiration and confidence. In other short writing courses I’ve done, the level is often pitched very low but this course was able to both build up inexperienced writers and also challenge those a bit further along the path. I would strongly recommend the course and Mary Anne’s mentoring abilities”
— Associate Professor Anne Rutherford
“With a unique blend of teaching, dramaturgy and writing experience – not to mention a healthy mix of humour and robust discussion – Mary Anne Butler will get you back up on your horse. Her keen eye and deep sense of story structure; and vibrant understanding of character and dialogue spur the writer on with new insights and clarity”
— Karen Manton, Novelist, The Curlew's Eye
“…a wonderfully comprehensive series of workshops, creating a supportive environment for participants to develop their writing. Content is engaging and insightful. Workshops include weekly readings, group discussions and practical writing exercises. Mary Anne Butler’s experience, depth of knowledge and respect for the writing process are brilliant. The practical exercises made me look at my work in a new light, extending my skills in new directions. The workshops provide strategies to ‘park the critical voice’, develop a writing routine and to explore freely in the wilds of imagination, opening up possibilities of form and content”
— Alison Mann, playwright
“The online classes provided much needed creative stimulation, inspiration, a toolbox for writer's block and feedback. They also encouraged regular writing and the chance to network with other writers in a safe and supportive environment. Mary Anne Butler has a wealth of literary and writing knowledge which she generously shares along with her time. A gem of a tutor, she is supportive of us all becoming better writers and I'd do her classes again in a heartbeat”