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New Creative Writing Workshops for Kids and Adults Open for Bookings

Hello again, StoryCrafters

At half way through February it feels strange to be saying ‘Happy New Year’ now, but that’s how fluid time can be! I hope you all had a wonderful start to the year, and are looking forward to unleashing your creative energy upon 2019, in whatever form it takes.

I’ve got four new workshops lined up that I’m really excited to share with you. Two for writers of every ability aged 16 – 116 years at gorgeous Mount Martha Community House, and two for children aged 8 – 12 years scheduled for the April school holidays. I’m delighted to be joining forces with Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery in Sorrento for the children’s workshops – they have such an enchanting and atmospheric space lined up for us!

The details for my new workshops are as follows. I hope you all can join me.

Workshop:  How to Write Realistic Settings

Setting is the all important backdrop for your characters. It’s the stage that will influence how plot and drama unfolds, and is a key element in bringing mood and meaning to your story. This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Magic-Book-Setting.jpg
This two-hour workshop explores the fundamentals of setting, how it impacts and anchors your characters and readers, and how to craft your own rich locations through different narrative techniques. A great workshop for early to emerging writers of any genre, aged 16 – 116 years.

Date:  Saturday, 23 March 2019
Time:  2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue:  Room 26 Mt Martha Community House, 466 The Esplanade, Mount Martha
Cost:  $45   (Limited to ten participants – includes afternoon tea)

Workshop:  Creative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination and Productivity

This two hour workshop is high energy, creative fun for everyone, whether you are a complete novice, or have been writing for years. You’ll get the opportunity to flex your creative muscle in a number of different ways, drawing inspiration from prompts designed to tap into different senses and help you think outside the box. Creative writing prompts and exercises are a great tool for allowing yourself the freedom to write uninhibited by expectations … and you’ll be surprised where they take you!
If you’ve been looking for new story ideas, suffering the dreaded ‘writer’s block’, or wanting to fire your imagination by tapping into the right hand side of your brain where the creativity lives, this workshop is for you! (Ages 16 – 116 years).

Date:  Saturday, 30 March 2019
Time:  2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue:  Room 26 Mt Martha Community House, 466 The Esplanade, Mount Martha
Cost:  $45   (Limited to ten participants – includes afternoon tea)


CHILDREN’S EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS AT ANTIPODES BOOKSHOP & GALLERY, SORRENTO

‘Enchanted Lands’ Creative Writing Workshop
Fans of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Enchanted Wood’ and ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Magic-Faraway-Tree-1.jpgwill be in their world-building element in this two-hour workshop.

Budding authors will learn how to create bewitched lands and magical worlds readers will want to turn and return to in this adventure-filled foray into world building. Drawing inspiration from Blyton’s timeless classics, participants will tap into their imagination to create their very own land ‘at the top of the tree’ and write themselves into their very own story line.
(NB. It’s not necessary to have read Blyton’s work to enjoy or participate in this workshop)

Date:  Thursday, 11 April, 2019
Time:  2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue:  Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery, 138 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento
Cost:  $30   (Limited to ten participants – Suitable for ages 8 – 12 years).

Pet Rock Adoption Character Workshop

There’s nothing more boring than a stone, right? Wrong!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is StoryCraft_Pet-Rocks-1024x979.jpg
In this two-hour workshop young writers will learn how the various elements of character work together to bring even the dullest objects to life. They’ll get the opportunity to design and make their very own pet rock to take home, complete with an adoption certificate detailing their rock’s name, place of birth, and back story. They’ll then use this information to turn their new friend into the star of its very own story, exploring ways to transform their pet rock into a character that’s relatable and memorable.  This workshop is a whole lot of StoryCrafting fun!

Date:  Friday, 12 April, 2019
Time:  2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue:  Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery, 138 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento
Cost:  $40   (Limited to 10 participants – Suitable for ages 8 – 12 years. Includes take home Pet Rock in bag, and Adoption Certificate)

For all bookings, please use the form on the Contact Page,
or email info@storycraftworkshops.com.au

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Give the Gift of Adventure This Christmas with ‘Curtis Creed & the Lore of the Ocean’

Books make the ideal Christmas gift. From picture books to biographies, crime thrillers to  cook books, there’s a book to appeal to every reader of every age of every taste. Books are economical, educational, and entertaining, and, as Stephen King once said, books are a uniquely portable magic.

If you’re looking for a great Christmas gift or stocking filler for friends or family, you simply can’t go past a good read…

It’s been approximately six months since Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean was launched through IFWG Publishing Australia. Since then, Curtis Creed has been surfing into the hearts and minds of readers of all ages, everywhere around the world, garnering consistent five star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.

Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean is a fast paced fantasy adventure story for the whole family. It would particularly appeal to 10+ year readers who enjoy thrills and suspense, and characters they can really cheer for, not to mention a cool cover that screams “what’s that behind you?!”  With a surfing/coastal backdrop, it’s the perfect beach read for summer.

If you want to give the gift of adventure this Christmas, Curtis Creed and the Lore of the Ocean is available from all good bookstores, or with the click of a mouse at Amazon, delivered direct to your door.

So what’s Curtis Creed all about?
I’m glad you asked …

In the coastal Queensland town of Midnight Cove, thirteen-year-old Curtis Creed’s world is falling apart.  Once a talented upcoming surfer, he cannot bring himself to return to the ocean.  His inability to overcome his fear earns him the ridicule of his older brother, Dylan. Worse, his family is struggling to cope with the loss of their father in a rock fishing accident.

The summer holiday looks long and lonely for Curtis until he meets Navaya, a mysterious sea dweller he rescues from fishing line in a rock pool.

When Curtis agrees to help Navaya find the Moami, the key to an undersea cavern hiding her people’s most precious secrets, he embarks on a dangerous quest that sees him join forces with awkward but brilliant new girl in town, Morgan.

Will Curtis be able to overcome his fears to return the Moami to its rightful owners before Navaya’s enemies succeed in their deadly mission? Was his father’s death really an accident? And what exactly is the lore of the ocean?

And where can I buy Curtis Creed again?  
Check with your local independent bookstore, or you can  purchase in paperback or eBook direct from Amazon direct to your door or digital device.

With less than four weeks ’til Christmas, there’s never been a better time to start making a list, and checking it twice…

Happy writing, happy reading, and happy days
Rebecca 🙂

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“Spooky Stories, Creepy Tales” School Holiday Creative Writing Workshops

With school holidays (and Halloween) just around the corner, get ready to channel all that creative energy into some serious writing fun.

Vampires, ghouls, ghosts, witches, black cats, vampires, Frankenstein’s Monster, zombies, aliens, haunted houses, campfire stories, werewolves, and more …. Kids love the thrill of spooky stories and pretty much anything that goes bump in the night. In this workshop, budding writers will explore the elements that make a creepy tale work, and create their own stories based on characters, setting, atmosphere, tone, and plot.

This 2 hour writing workshop is interactive, engaging fun. Workshops are age appropriate and divided into 8-12 years, and 12-16 years (see below for times).

Date: Wednesday 3rd October, 2018

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm (For 8 – 12 year olds)
Venue: Meeting Room, Mount Eliza Community Hall, 100 Canadian Bay Rd
Cost: $30 (Limited to ten participants)

Date: Wednesday 3rd October, 2018
Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm (For 12 – 16 year olds)
Venue: Meeting Room, Mount Eliza Community Hall, 100 Canadian Bay Rd
Cost: $30 (Limited to ten participants)

Hurry to secure your child’s place, as bookings are limited to ten participants per workshop.

Email info@storycraftworkshops.com.au, or use the contact form on the website.

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StoryCraft a Finalist in Two Categories in the Peninsula Business Awards

Last month, I received the very exciting news that StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops has been named a finalist in two categories in the Peninsula Business Awards.

The Peninsula Business Awards supports and recognises small businesses across the Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Frankston Region. They celebrate the hard work business owners put in, and their contributions to the local community and the local economy.

StoryCraft Creative Writing Workshops is a finalist in two categories:  Best Education / Training Service and ‘Rising star – Best new Business’. I couldn’t be happier!

StoryCraft was born from a dream to combine my passion for storytelling with my passion for inspiring and supporting writers of every age and ability, and it’s very satisfying and humbling to see it honoured in this way.

Believe in the beauty of your dreams, everyone. Woo Hoo! And thank you all from the bottom of my heart for supporting StoryCraft over the past twelve months. It’s been a heck of a journey 💞💞💞
Winners are announced at a Gala Dinner at the Mornington Racecourse on 2nd May, so keep your fingers crossed for me!  Congratulations to all the finalists in the Peninsula Business Awards, and good luck!

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Creative Writing Workshops for Kids – Book Now For April School Holidays

Can you believe the Easter break will soon be upon us? I don’t know about you, but it feels like I just packed the Christmas Tree away!

With Easter comes the school holidays, and after the excitement of a certain rabbit has come and gone, the kids will be busy looking for fun activities to keep them occupied for the next two weeks. A creative writing workshop could be just what the young writer or budding author in your family is looking for to scratch their creative itch …

My ‘Five Alive’ Workshop is a fun, fast-paced way to stretch the imagination and flex creative muscles!

Drawing on writing prompts inspired by the five senses – sight, smell, hear, touch, taste – kids will learn to think outside the box while inspiring their own character and story ideas.

This two hour workshop is popular among writers of every age and ability.

Workshop 1:  Kids aged 8 – 12 years
Date:  Wednesday 11th April
Time:  9:30am – 11:30am
Venue:  Room 7, Mount Martha Community House, Dominion Rd, Mount Martha
Cost:  $30 per child

Workshop 2:  Kids aged 12 – 16 years
Date:  Wednesday 11th April
Time:  12:30pm – 2:30pm
Venue:  Room 7, Mount Martha Community House, Dominion Rd, Mount Martha
Cost:  $30 per child

Places limited to 10 per workshop, so if you want to reserve a place, make like the Easter Bunny and hop to it!  

You can book directly via the Contact Form, or drop me a line at info@storycraftworkshops.com.au

Thanks everyone…
Happy writing, happy reading, and happy days

Rebecca Fraser

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Short Story Workshop at Rosebud Library

Last week I had the great pleasure of facilitating a workshop at Rosebud Library on the Mornington Peninsula focusing on ‘How and Where to Get Your Short Stories Published’.

Short Story Workshop at Rosebud Library

The workshop was specifically targeted towrads writers who love writing short stories or poems, but don’t know how or where to get them published. A wonderfully engaged group of fifteen participants learned how to submit like professionals, as we explored the essentials for any writer who wants to be taken seriously.

My group had some terrific questions, and were such an enthusiastic audience. We covered a lot of ground, including how to:

  • Present and format your work to industry standards.
  • Find appropriate markets for your work.
  • Follow and adhere to submission guidelines.
  • Prepare a professional cover letter and author bio.
  • Handle the fundamentals of the industry – payments, contracts, networking, and more.
  • Deal with rejection.
  • Avoid publication pitfalls and traps, and rookie errors.
  • Build a list of publication credits.

For the beginner writer, or writer who is new to the submission process, this workshop is a great resource for your toolkit.

I received some generous feedback from my workshop attendees, including this lovely comment, “Thanks for a brilliant workshop on how and where to get your short stories published, Rebecca. I loved it! So much valuable information and detailed handouts. It’s taken me from a place of wishy-washy dreams and plans to a position of action. I now feel I have all the tools I need to get my work out there. And miraculously, the dread of rejection has become the desire to gain my writer’s badges of honour.”

Is it any wonder I truly love what I do?!

A big thanks to Rosebud Library and the Mornington Peninsula Library Service for being so warm and accommodating – I’m really looking forward to working with them again in the near future.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How and Where to Get Your Short Stories Published’, drop me a line at info@storycraftworkshops.com.au

Rebecca

 

 

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School Holiday Creative Writing Workshops – Great Fun for Everyone

The September school holidays are done and dusted, and everyone’s back to the school routine all too quickly.  I ran a couple of creative writing workshops for children (aged 8 – 11 years) over the school holidays, and I can’t say who had more fun: me or the kids!

The talented group of upcoming scribes at both workshops were such a creative bunch. I was blown away by their enthusiasm and talent. The two-hour workshops were held at beautiful Mount Martha Community House and

Mount Martha Community House
The stunning views from beautiful Mount Martha Community House

revolved around a ‘Pirate and Princess’ theme. But don’t be fooled by the title – there are no gender stereotypes in my workshops. Participants were invited to create their own memorable characters and let them loose in their very own adventure. From swashbuckling adventure on the high seas to royal shenanigans, the ‘Pirates and Princesses’ Workshops were high energy, creative fun.

A cricket-playing pirate, a princess who can breathe underwater, a snow leopard for a pet, a guinea pig named Spirit, a crossbow-wielding buccaneer with two red crabs that follow her everywhere, a ship called ‘High Tide’, a princess-turned-pirate who fled the kingdom to sail the seven seas, a pirate with a history of turning to the dark side, and a pearl dancer … and that’s just a snapshot of the creative energy that flowed in the first week.

The cast in week two included Lucy, a young female pirate who had stolen the Titanic (and you thought it sank), a princess who could speak to animals and roamed the wild jungles at night, Princess Rainbow Tree VI, who was ready to cross paths with an evil wizard, and the completely illustrated works of cunning Captain Food Pirate who with his trusty rabbit, Tug, tricked a sea monster into turning around his ship!

 

 

StoryCraft’s Mornington Peninsula creative writing workshops are designed to foster creative thinking and engagement and boost confidence in a fun 

environment. It really is an honour to be able to facilitate these workshops, and help kids explore and express their unique, diverse, and wildly imaginative voices.

I’ve got six workshops coming up in the January 2018 school holiday period, so keep your eye on the website and Facebook page for all the details.

 

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StoryCraft in the News

Big thanks to The Mornington Peninsula Leader for running a feature article on StoryCraft’s ‘Pirates & Princesses’ School Holiday creative writing workshops.

The Mornington writing workshops, aimed at kids between the ages of 8 – 11 (as a general guide), are proving to be a popular addition to the school holiday activities list as parent’s are increasingly seeking out fun and educational activities to keep kids busy and engaged over the school holidays.

I’m really excited to be presenting these workshops to budding young authors. I’ve had a lot of fun putting the content together – as you can see from the props in this picture – and I can’t wait to see what the kids come up with as they create their own characters and unleash them in their very own adventures!

To read the article by fab journo, Lucy Callander, click here.

Photo Credit: Wayne Taylor (Mornington Peninsula Leader, Sept 11, 2017)

The workshops will run between 9.30am and 11.30am at Mount Martha Community House, and parents have a choice of two dates: Wednesday, 27th October, or Wednesday, 4th October.  For full details and to make a booking, click here.

Let’s get writing! 🙂
Rebecca

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Creative Writing Workshops for Confidence and Creativity

Participation in creative writing workshops has a positive impact not only on children’s imagination and writing skills, but also their confidence and well being.

According to the initial findings of a research project by The University of Sydney commenced in 2015, and using participants of not-for-profit organisation, Sydney Story Factory, early findings are positive and include:

  • significant improvement in writing quality
  • increased engagement with writing, for longer
  • better planning, organisation and ideas
  • enhanced ability to reflect and self-evaluate
  • increased confidence to work with others, and
  • more willingness to talk to people, particularly adults.

Professor Robyn Ewing, who is overseeing the research project stated, “Strong creative thinking and learning skills are critical to students’ social and emotional wellbeing, academic achievement and lifelong learning.”

The team’s evaluation is underpinned by the five dimensions that research suggests are essential in fostering the development of creativity: inquisitiveness, imagination, collaboration, discipline and persistence.

To read more about The University of Sydney’s study and how creative writing workshops can boost confidence and creativity, read the full article here.

StoryCraft’s Mornington Peninsula creative writing workshops reflect the same values underpinned by Sydney Story Factory. We’re passionate about sharing our skills and knowledge with writers of every age and ability to foster creative thinking, improve writing skills, and increase confidence – all in a fun and engaging environment.

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