News & Editorial

Lismore-Senior-Masterclass-2021_web-1200x800.jpg

December 15, 2021

Join author Sarah Armstrong for a series of masterclasses where students will develop their creative writing techniques across a range of genres. Classes are designed to be fun and celebrate the joy of storytelling.

FREE! Registrations essential. This is a year-long program, commencing Term 2, and running until the end of Term 4, 2023.

Term 2 Dates: Thursday 4 May – Thursday 29 June (Fortnightly)
Time: 5 – 6.30pm
Where: Goonellabah Library, 27 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah
Suitable For: 13 – 17 years (school years 7 – 12)

Sarah Armstrong

Sarah Armstrong has written three novels for adults and her first novel for readers aged 8 – 12 will be published in 2022. She is an experienced mentor for writers young and old.

anika

Byron-Senior-Masterclass.jpg

December 15, 2021

In Term 2 and 3, join filmmaker and author Benjamin Gilmour for a series of masterclasses where students will learn and experiment with a range of creative writing and screenwriting techniques. Melaina Faranda will return as facilitator later in the year.

FREE. Registrations essential. This is a year-long program, commencing Term 2, and running until the end of Term 4, 2023.

Term 2 Dates: Thurs 18 May – Thurs 29 June (Fortnightly)
Time: 4.00 – 5.30pm
Where: Byron Bay Library, Cnr Middleton St & Lawson St, Byron Bay
Suitable For: 13 – 17 years

Benjamin GIlmour

Benjamin Gilmour is an award-winning poet, author, film director and ambulance paramedic. What excites him most is sharing his knowledge of ‘guerilla’ filmmaking and inspiring young people to write and make art.

Melaina Faranda

Author and teacher Melaina Faranda is passionate about working with young people, helping to foster their creative talent and be inspired by infinite possibilities.

anika

IMG_5719-1200x900.jpg

October 25, 2021

Sarah draws on her years of experience as a novelist and journalist in this very hands-on, practical workshop. She’ll teach techniques to get students’ creativity flowing, as well as concrete, practical tools to create narrative tension, deepen character, and create a sense of immediacy for the reader. She gives comprehensive handouts, with examples from others’ writing, and illustrates with anecdotes from her own writing experience. She gets the students writing straight away, and they’ll do lots of writing throughout the workshop. 

This workshop works best for a group of the same stage or a group of keen writers across a mix of stages.

Topics covered

  • Free-writing as a brainstorming tool and fast, effective way to write a first draft.
  • The drafting process – how a first draft is different to the final draft.
  • Exercises to flesh out character.
  • Using detail to show rather than tell.
  • Writing a ‘sensory brainstorm’ to generate material to bring a piece of action alive.
  • A strategy for creative writing in an exam.
  • Student Q and A.

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

This self-editing workshop is a distillation of techniques gleaned from working with twenty plus editors from over ten different publishing companies and for many students is surprisingly enjoyable! The focus is not on grammar and punctuation, so much as specific editing techniques taught in a step-by-step easy format that even the most disinterested writers can use to instantly improve their writing (and marks). Great for NAPLAN or HSC preparation.

Topics covered

  • A brief demonstration of the process of having a book edited and an embarrassing confession
  • Distinguishing between the art and craft of writing a story
  • Numerous self-editing techniques that can be repeatedly used to improve students’ drafts

Sue Andersen

Rivers-Focus-School-Group-shot-1200x900.jpg

October 25, 2021

In this practical workshop, Sarah will teach students techniques to get their writing flowing, as well as concrete, practical tools to create narrative tension and to deepen character. She explains how students can write ‘scene’ to create immediacy for the reader and to show rather then tell. Most students write in summary and find it a revelation to learn about writing in scene. She gives comprehensive handouts, with examples from others’ writing, and illustrates with anecdotes from her own writing experience. She gets the students writing straight away, and they’ll do lots of writing throughout the workshop.

This workshop is also suitable for keen and focused stage 4 students.

Topics covered

  • Free-writing as a brainstorming tool and fast, effective way to write a first draft.
  • Fleshing out character using free-written character histories
  • When to show and when to tell.
  • Using scene to show and create immediacy
  • Writing a sensory brainstorm to add effective detail to scene.
  • A strategy for creative writing in an exam.
  • Student Q and A

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

This workshop will address translating a set text/narrative into a series of illustrations. The complexity and length of the text can be adapted to the proposed duration of the workshop and the age of the students.

Michelle will take the students/participants through the process of creating a rough, initial visual storyboard, from which they will select at least one rough draft to work up as a final illustration so a set size ratio.

The set text teaches participants the specific requirements of professional illustration where the artwork is invariably working with subject matter which may, at least in part, require them to draw elements/objects they would not consider by choice.

They will also investigate working to a set size across several drawings and having to adjust their compositions/ideas accordingly, taking into account text placement, scale issues and centre lines of double-page spreads. We will also address issues of keeping continuity across a series of drawings

I will also address the importance of the artist bringing their own visual contribution/subtext to the narrative.

Students will be encouraged to work images/illustrations up in their own choice of materials, ie Collage, pen and ink, watercolour, paint, colour pencil or a combination of media.

Topics covered

  • Translating text to image
  • Storyboarding
  • Mockups
  • Drawing to scale
  • Composition
  • Continuity.
  • Use of materials.

Sue Andersen

concentration-with-Jesse-in-background-1-1200x900.jpeg

October 25, 2021

This workshop uses Laura’s ‘Dream Riders’ horse series as a starting point to explore how grappling with complex or scary feelings – the everyday sort, not the jumping out of a plane sort – can inspire emotionally rich and truthful storytelling. It’s tempting to ignore difficult feelings and ‘put on a happy face’, but shining a light on challenging experiences and feelings can help us develop realistic characters and moving stories which will powerfully connect with others. Laura draws on her extensive experience in running workshops and telling stories for young people to help students tap into where great writing comes from.

Suitable for both keen and reluctant readers/writers.

Topics covered

  • Discussing favourite book/story characters who experience big feelings
  • Role playing/role swapping exercises so students can experience different points of view to inform character and story development
  • Guided individual and group writing exercises for students to ‘put on paper’ what they discovered through role playing and point of view exercises
  • Student Q and A

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

Most of Benjamin’s books and films have explored the topics of conflict and restorative justice. He has spent time in several war zones and is able to deliver a compelling 30 minute presentation on peace and conflict with real life experience, anecdotes, slides and reflections on modern war propaganda. Suitable for Year 9 students and above where this topic is part of the curriculum.

anika

P3150026-1200x900.jpg

October 25, 2021

A one-off workshop or multi-session workshop on scriptwriting and filmmaking tailored to suit the students’ interests. Benjamin has also run social justice filmmaking workshops over a term or two in secondary schools, where students work towards creating short films for screening at a mini-festival.

Sue Andersen

Ben-Workshop-1-Creative-Writing-Web.jpg

October 25, 2021

Tailored to any upper primary and high school students, Benjamin delivers an inspiring workshop  exploring  ideas of being a ‘story hunter’, encouraging students to find and develop ideas, understand simple structure to engage readers and above all make writing fun.

anika


October 25, 2021

This workshop takes a unique approach to discovering a character through a process of segueing back and forth between their character’s inner world of perception and outer sensory experiences. Students will literally write on a drawing they create.

Topics covered

  • Discovering an original character vs inserting stereotypes into a story
  • Using aspects of their character’s body to reveal and record their experiences
  • Distinguishing between the character’s exterior sensory world and perceptions of it
  • Learning how to use their character’s inner and outer world to create a story plot

Curriculum outcomes 

  • Writing and representing
  • Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
  • Expressing themselves
  • Create literary texts that explores students’ own experiences and imaginings
  • Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings
  • Create literary texts by using storylines, characters and settings

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

Have you ever felt awkward in the presence of a Deaf person or someone with a disability? Not sure what to say? Want to show respect and offer help but at the same time not make a big deal about it or cause offence? This presentation will clarify everything. Despite the fact that 1 in 6 Australians experience some form of hearing loss, most people don’t know how to respond appropriately to deafness. Asphyxia, a Deaf activist, writer and artist, will tell engaging and entertaining stories from her own life, providing insights into Deaf experience. 

This presentation is for school classes, and professional development for teachers. Help create an inclusive and respectful culture. 

Topics covered

  • Avoid common mistakes made by hearing people
  • Identity respectful behaviour versus patronising behaviour
  • Be the centre of a ripple change through small respectful acts
  • Change a group culture from exclusive to inclusive
  • Ask the right (easy!) questions to help raise awareness and reduce oppression

anika


October 25, 2021

Writing an imaginative story is not a linear process, with the best and most unique and engaging ideas frequently originating from hidden creative depths. This workshop teaches students a variety of techniques to access their own imaginative depths, through a series of specific portals into story ideas. Especially useful for NAPLAN preparation!

Topics covered

  • How the imagination works
  • Stream-of-consciousness writing for warming up
  • How to get ideas through a variety of stimuli including: objects, the senses, and random words and images

Curriculum outcomes 

  • Writing and representing
  • Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
  • Expressing themselves
  • Create literary texts that explores students’ own experiences and imaginings
  • Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings
  • Create literary texts by using storylines, characters and settings

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

In this autobiographical talk, Asphyxia leafs through some of her own journals, describing her process to express her daily experiences on the page. She explains to participants the steps involved in creating their own unique book from found papers and recycled materials. 

Since she was a young girl, Asphyxia has kept a journal – she is passionate about journaling and sees her journal as a daily friend and companion. Asphyxia’s journals are both stunning and inspiring, filled with paint, collage, photos, writing and beautiful papers. 

As a Deaf artist, Asphyxia inspires audiences to follow their dreams, whatever their abilities. Through her talk, she provides an insight into the expressiveness of sign language and encourages audiences to create, to make, to write and to express themselves visually.

Asphyxia is a vibrant speaker who will have audiences captivated throughout her presentation. Audience members are given an opportunity to have their questions answered.

Topics covered

  • Creating a unique book from found materials
  • Journaling daily experiences
  • Visual expression and dream following
  • The expressiveness of sign language

anika


October 25, 2021

Experience the magic and creative expression that comes with using a journal. In this hands-on workshop, Asphyxia leads participants through a process that will help them dive into their very first journal, or expand their repertoire if they already keep one. Students will prepare pages in their book ready for future use, create a multi-layered page or two, and learn techniques for self-expression that they can use daily. 

Asphyxia is passionate about journaling and sees her journal as a daily friend and companion.  Asphyxia’s journals are both stunning and inspiring, filled with paint, collage, photos, writing and beautiful papers. These journals are a great reference of inspiration for students. Asphyxia will describe her process to express daily experiences on the page. 

As a Deaf artist, Asphyxia inspires audiences to follow their dreams, whatever their abilities. Through her talk, she provides an insight into the expressiveness of sign language, and encourages audiences to create, to make, to write and to express themselves visually. 

Asphyxia is a vibrant speaker who will have audiences captivated throughout her presentation.

Topics covered

  • Creative self-expression
  • Journaling
  • The expressiveness of sign language 

anika


October 25, 2021

Author Tristan Bancks shares the tools for creating a thrilling and authentic crime story, based on his experience writing novels for age 10+ like Two Wolves, The Fall and Cop & Robber (2022).

Topics covered

  • Gathering story details from the real world.
  • Using technology to feed creativity in the writing process.
  • The importance of research in writing.

anika

Writing-Safari-Holiday-Program-with-Tristan-Bancks-1200x900.jpg

October 25, 2021

Participants observe, experience and let the world around them rush onto the page. The forward-motion and physical exercise bring the writing experience alive, forging new and unexpected stories. Can be done in the school playground! 

Topics covered

  • Writing outdoors for story inspiration
  • Present-moment awareness as a storytelling tool
  • Discovering character inspiration from the people and spaces around you

anika

Tristan-Workshop-1-Your-Life-and-Other-Stuff-You-Made-Up-web.jpg

October 25, 2021

How can you use all the odd, boring, funny stuff that happens to you and turn it into stories? Author Tristan Bancks uses bits from his own life to inspire his books from Tom Weekly to Ginger Meggs and Two Wolves to The Fall. Like the time his sister made him eat Vegemite off her big toe or the time he had his appendix removed just to get out of school detention. And the day he visited a crime scene during high school work experience. Learn how to mine your own life for cool, weird, funny stories that your friends will love.

Topics covered

  • Using memory for story inspiration
  • Mashing truth and fiction to create authentic, entertaining stories
  • Freewriting practice to discover untapped story ideas

anika

X
Festival 2023 Extra Early Bird tickets ON SALE 29 MARCH