Big Smoke Writing Factory

A time/date for our Beginning To Write daytime class has been confirmed: Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting February 23rd. Booking is open now.

For those moving past beginners' stage, we have Beyond Beginners, available on Thursday evenings (starting this month) and Saturday afternoons (starting in March). For continuation workshops with specific facilitators, which include a mix of returning students and newcomers, there are Line Production workshops with Nicole Rourke (starting this month) and advanced Writing Train workshops with Yvonne Cullen (March start dates TBC).

Nicole's day-long The Drama of Writing workshop is available at a discount to current Big Smoke students and will be taking place on Saturday, February 27.

Maggie Smith Hurt, who demystifies poetry here at Big Smoke, will be running a unique-to-Ireland Parent and Baby Creativity Workshop on Friday mornings, beginning in March.

And finally, there are still a couple of places left on the guest-taught Stand Up Comedy course, returning to Big Smoke for a second term from Friday evening - drop us an email if you're a last-minute booker and we'll keep you posted.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Labels: courses

Being a new parent can be a delight and a challenge. The good news is that the challenges coincide with a boost in brain function, creativity and focus, not to mention the joy and wonderment of watching a new baby develop and grow.

This course is designed for parents of babies (newborns to one year olds) who are looking for a course that allows them to bring their babies to class, talk to other parents about the challenges of new parenthood and rediscover their creativity as they grow and change in their new role as parents.

Over a 10 week period students in this course will learn to find time to get back in touch with their creative side while maintaining their most important role as parents. Classes will consist of in-class writing exercises and discussions, workshops for sharing creative work and weekly suggestions for at-home writing time.

Ultimately, after taking this course you will feel the support and creative ideas of other parents who are also trying to find the time and energy to keep a bit of themselves and their passion for writing going during the first year of parenthood. Students will discover how life changing experiences can foster our interests and passions even if it’s just one small step at a time.

Maggie Smith Hurt is the mother of a two year old, a writer and a teacher. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Hunter College in New York City and has written a book of poems and a chapbook. Her poems were recently published in The SHOp Poetry Journal. She has taught creative writing courses in Poetry, Fiction and Memoir at Hunter College in NYC, UCD, The Irish Writers’ Centre and Big Smoke Writing Factory since 2002.

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Facilitator: Maggie Smith Hurt

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring 2010

TUESDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting March 12, 2010.
Book by March 5, 2010

Labels: courses

... we have several new sets of classes starting.

-- Our evening Beginning To Write classes for those starting out. There's a couple of spaces still available on the Tuesday night, while Monday and Thursday (which will run a week later) are still open for booking.

-- Registration stays open later for those of you who are past the beginners' stage and would like to hop on board Yvonne Cullen's (intermediate) Writing Train.

-- There are still a couple more places left in our guest workshop, Marisa Mackle's Writing A Bestseller: How To Successfully Write and Publish Chick Lit, if anyone writing commercial fiction would like to snap them up.

-- And finally, this Sunday (January 24th), do pop along to the Poetry Saloon from 4pm!

Labels: courses

Here's the schedule for upcoming classes. Booking is open: click course titles for a course description as well as links for booking online! (Courses which have started or are closed for booking will not appear on this list.)

Already know what class you want to sign up for? Download the registration form as a PDF or Word document, or click through to the course page for Paypal links.

Please note that the closing date for booking is one week before the course start date. (Some of our courses will accept bookings after this if space is available, but do contact us to discuss with the facilitator.)

Quick links:
Beginning To Write
10-week specialist courses
12-week intermediate courses
12-week specialist courses
Advanced workshops
One-day specialist workshops

--

BEGINNING TO WRITE courses
€240, 10 weeks

Beginning To Write: course description and how to book

Evenings
MONDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 1, 2010.
THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 4, 2010.

Daytime
TUESDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting February 23, 2010.

--

10-WEEK SPECIALIST COURSES
€250

Stand-Up Comedy
FRIDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Parent and Baby Creativity Workshop
FRIDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting March 12, 2010.

--

12-WEEK INTERMEDIATE COURSES
€280

Line Production (Continuation)
MONDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 15, 2010.

Beyond Beginners
THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 11, 2010.

Line Production (Developing)
FRIDAY, 11am-1pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Beyond Beginners
SATURDAY, 1pm-3pm, starting March 13, 2010.

--

12-WEEK COURSES (WORKSHOPS AND SPECIALIST COURSES)
€280

Demystifying Poetry
TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting March 9, 2010.

--

ADVANCED WORKSHOPS

Writing Train workshops (Intermediate)
14 weeks, €315
TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.45pm. Students may still join this workshop.
WEDNESDAY, 10.45am-1pm. Students may still join this workshop.

Writing Train workshops (Advanced)
17 weeks, €395
WEDNESDAY, 7pm-9.30pm, starting March 2010.
THURSDAY, 6.45pm-9.15pm, starting March 2010.

--

ONE-DAY SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS

The Drama of Writing
SATURDAY, full day, February 27, 2010.

--

Please note that occasionally we may need to adjust our schedule in order to best accommodate student numbers and interests. When we need to do this, we will always contact students who have already signed up for a course, and always ensure that our online course schedule is up to date.

See also:
BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies
How do I pay for a course?

Labels: courses

Please note that some of our course start dates have been moved back slightly, as a result of the weather-related disruptions in Dublin. Students who have already registered for courses will be contacted via email or phone with the new start dates.

Some classic winter and snow poems for this chilly January!

Labels: courses, resources

Developing your Comedy Career: Better Jokes, More Gigs, Bigger Audiences

Whether you are a complete beginner looking to write your first ‘club set’, or a more experienced comedian hoping to tour a successful one-person show, this course is for you. Abie will assess the interests, talents and ambitions of all students, and then build the course around them. Every student will receive individual input on their material and ideas, with suggestions on how to develop and market these into a solo show, where requested. The whole group can also offer insights.

This approach means that the whole class learns from each other's (and the teacher's) experiences, and can offer help or suggestions. A key part of the course is working out what makes you stand out from other comics.
Because of the above, the course content will vary somewhat depending on whether you sign up, and who else joins you. But the kinds of things that Abie can help you with are:

• Stage presence and audience rapport.
• Getting the maximum impact from your jokes, and developing ideas to their full potential.
• Building a solid club set.
• Dealing with hecklers, talkers and inattentive crowds. MCing.
• Translating your stand-up set into an engaging and commercially viable one-person show
• Touring theatres and festivals around Ireland and internationally
• Using the media to build a public profile and market your comedy
• Writing press releases/festival brochure entries for maximum impact
• ‘Cracking’ the Edinburgh Fringe, without losing €10,000 – maximising audiences, minimising expenses.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Guest Teacher: Abie Philbin Bowman

About the teacher
Abie Philbin Bowman has taught creative writing in Trinity College Dublin and at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth. He is also the writer and performer of one of the most successful Irish one-man comedy shows of the decade. ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ – his debut – took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. It got rave reviews, completely sold out and was reported by over 30 media outlets, including BBC News, Le Monde and the New York Times. The show then sold out throughout Ireland, as well as touring London’s West End, the USA and Pakistan. (Abie is the only Western stand-up stupid enough to have performed a religious, political comedy in Pakistan during the 2007 State of Emergency). ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ has since become a top 10 hit on iTunes in Japan and across Europe. Along with his second show, ‘Eco-Friendly Jihad’, Abie has sold out and turned a profit at Edinburgh for three years running. He was dubbed “a rising star” by Time magazine, given his own radio show by i105-107, and boycotted by Ian Paisley’s DUP.

Spring 2010

FRIDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Labels: courses

Missed the start of term at Big Smoke? Never fear - the following courses have yet to start and still have places available, but do book soon!

One-day workshop on SATURDAY (5TH DECEMBER)
The Drama of Writing (full day)
This one-day workshop in drama and creative writing aims to develop your writing skills through a variety of exercises and games. (Facilitator: Nicole Rourke)

One-day workshop SATURDAY (JANUARY 16TH, 2010)
Writing A Bestseller: How to Successfully Write and Publish Chick Lit (with Marisa Mackle) (full day)
Guest teacher Marisa Mackle will offer insights into both writing and publishing commercial fiction in this one-day workshop.

Take a look at our course list for Jan/Feb 2010.

Labels: courses

Big Smoke Writing Factory is delighted to offer this day long workshop in drama and creative writing, designed and facilitated by one of its founding members, Nicole Rourke. Nicole trained in theatre with Tmu-Na Theatre Company, Tel-Aviv, Israel. She has worked in professional theatre both here and abroad for many years, mainly as an actor but has also experience in writing and directing. On top of this Nicole is highly experienced as both a drama facilitator and a creative writing facilitator - a combination which makes for a very unique workshop experience.

When it comes to telling stories, drama is really where it all begins. After all, we learn to speak and play before we learn to write. Combining the two can help the writer to expand their powers of observation, imagination and language as well as add that dramatic element that may be lacking. This unique workshop brings drama to your writing in an immediate and effective way.

Part 1:

• Drama exercises and storytelling games to build character and gather ideas. Participants may use this section to further develop characters they are currently working on. (Please note that all the drama exercises are very gentle and nobody will be put on the spot to perform!)
• Script analysis - Looking at Plotting, Structures, Characterisation, the Rhythms of Language and Dialogue.

Part 2:

• Creative writing exercises and storyboarding to further develop ideas, storylines and characters.

Throughout the day each workshop participant will be immersed in a range of ideas and exercises designed to further develop their writing skills. This course is suitable for anyone with previous writing experience. With regard to the drama element, no experience is necessary.

Queries regarding course content may be directed to Nicole either via email or over the phone at 086-857-6705.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 1 full day
Fee: €75
Discounted fee: €55 (available for students currently taking a course at Big Smoke - please mention course you're taking on the registration form)
Facilitator: Nicole Rourke

Winter/spring 2010

SATURDAY, February 27, 2010. FULL DAY.
Book by February 20, 2010. Please note that paying by Paypal/credit card is not an option for this course: cash, cheque, or money order only, please.

Labels: courses

This course is designed for a student with some writing experience who is interested in writing short stories and is either struggling to begin, stuck in the middle of a project, or perhaps just looking for some encouragement.

The course is structured over twelve weeks and will include discussions about contemporary short stories, their styles and use of literary device, and in-class workshops in which the students will share and discuss their own writing.

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Maggie Smith Hurt

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring/summer 2010
Date/time TBC. Contact Big Smoke if interested.

Labels: courses

Here's the schedule for autumn/winter '09. Click titles for course description and further information!

Already know what class you want to sign up for? Download the registration form as a PDF or Word document, or click through to the course page for Paypal links.

(Term began Sept 21st 2009. Only classes which have yet to start are listed here.)

--

1-day workshop on SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER
The Drama of Writing, full day Booking open

--

Course schedule for the winter/spring 2010 term is available now!

--

See also:
BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies
How do I pay for a course?

Labels: courses

How to Successfully Write and Publish Chick Lit
with Marisa Mackle

This day-long course will help anyone aspiring to write a bestselling chick lit novel find their own voice, write sellable, popular fiction and conquer the publishing world.

Marisa Mackle’s well-established seminar helps guide the beginning writer through various stages: learning how to structure a chick lit novel, avoid clichés, and effectively edit, how to get into the world of magazine and newspaper writing and how to navigate the publishing world to get your work published.

The course breaks for lunch and coffee throughout the day and has a question/answer hour at the end.

Places are limited to maximise individual attention.
Coffee/tea/biscuits etc will be provided by Big Smoke. There will be a hour-long break for lunch in which participants may avail of one of the cafes or restaurants around the area.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 1 full day
Fee: €140
Guest Teacher: Marisa Mackle

About the teacher
Marisa Mackle is the number one bestselling author of eleven books including Confessions of an Air Hostess and Mr. Right for the Night. Her work has been translated into a dozen languages. She is a journalist with the Evening Herald, Sunday World and Travel Extra magazine. Marisa lives with her child in Dublin where she is also an editor and publisher.

Winter 2010

SATURDAY JANUARY 30TH 2010.
Full day. 9.30am-5pm. Book by January 23, 2010.

Labels: courses

Special offer for advanced workshops with Yvonne Cullen... all the benefits of an ongoing workshop at a discount!

We know you’re run off your creative legs. We know our courses and workshops can be the bright spot in the crazy week, and a true step forward for those creative legs besides. We also know that getting to a class or workshop every week and also getting some writing done isn’t possible for everyone. We’re in this business long enough to know even more than that. We know that attempting to do everything when it isn’t possible isn’t good for you.

We want you to access the Big Smoke experience. And so, this term, for the first time, in this crazy time in our crazy little economy, we have a special deal to offer you.

If Yvonne's intermediate or advanced Writing Train Workshops appeal to you but you would find it more appropriate right now to attend every second week, due to the temporary little matter of your pesky Life getting in your creative way, just let us know. We hope to able to accommodate the first six people we hear from for each course in the Writing Train Workshops with this Share Your Chair deal: letting them benefit from everything a Writing Train workshop offers at a 40% discount!

We can offer this option because each workshop session with Yvonne is a self contained unit. And unlike hot desking at work, you don't have to worry about overwatering the plant, or filling anyone in on what you’ve gone and done. And in this hot desk arrangement you don’t have to spend half a week staring at someone else’s photos on YOUR cubicle wall either. Write, turn up fortnightly, and have a great and inspiring time, in this part of your working life. And go on benefiting from all the add-ons the Writing Train contains.

Email Big Smoke to follow up this offer. (We’ll help you get your pesky Life in a headlock later.)

Labels: courses

From ‘Open Spot’ to One-Person Show

Whether you are a complete beginner looking to write your first ‘club set’, or a more experienced comedian hoping to tour a successful one-person show, this course is for you. The course will cover such elements as structure, rapport and joke-rate, as they relate to individual students’ style and delivery. The class will be light on theory and heavy on practice, with the majority of time spent critiquing students’ own writing and performance.

Considerable attention will also be given to the practical side of successfully performing at comedy clubs/festivals and touring a one-person show: finance, contacts, selecting venues, handling the press and marketing strategies. There will be specific advice on surviving and succeeding at the world’s biggest and most competitive arts festival: the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as touring on the Irish comedy/theatre circuit and further abroad.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €220
Guest Teacher: Abie Philbin Bowman

About the teacher
Abie Philbin Bowman has taught creative writing in Trinity College Dublin and at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth. He is also the writer and performer of one of the most successful Irish one-man comedy shows of the decade. ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ – his debut – took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. It got rave reviews, completely sold out and was reported by over 30 media outlets, including BBC News, Le Monde and the New York Times. The show then sold out throughout Ireland, as well as touring London’s West End, the USA and Pakistan. (Abie is the only Western stand-up stupid enough to have performed a religious, political comedy in Pakistan during the 2007 State of Emergency). ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ has since become a top 10 hit on iTunes in Japan and across Europe. Along with his second show, ‘Eco-Friendly Jihad’, Abie has sold out and turned a profit at Edinburgh for three years running. He was dubbed “a rising star” by Time magazine, given his own radio show by i105-107, and boycotted by Ian Paisley’s DUP.

Autumn/winter 2009

FRIDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting October 16, 2009.

Labels: courses

Continuation courses with Nicole Rourke

All forms of writing are covered in this course. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of characterisation, voice, dialogue, plot, style and editing.

Aims:

• To equip writers with the capacity to create work which is immediate and compelling as well as structured and focused.
• To encourage writers to develope their work in new directions.

All sessions will be a combination of writing exercises, workshopping and critiquing of work in progress. The course will be fast-paced, challanging and inspiring.....and there will, of course, always be tea!

Testimonials from students:

"Nicole Rourke's writing classes are inspiring and motivating. Anyone who wishes to write in an environment that is supportive, creative and focused should join- I had my play written by the end of the course."
- Clodagh Downing

"Nicole uses diverse approaches to encourage participants to draw on their creative talents and produce written work every week. Classes are imaginative, colourful, humourous and relaxed. I have thoroughly enjoyed every session and look forward to attending more."
- Miriam Hurley

"I have attended a number of creative writing courses which have been facilitated by Nicole Rourke. I have found these extremely helpful and have no hesitation in recommending them to others. She pitches the course content at a level to suit the participants and is particularly good at unlocking your creativity - getting you to think differently.Criticism is constructive and succeeds in building realistic confidence."
- Hugh Scanlan

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Nicole Rourke

Winter/spring 2010

LINE PRODUCTION (CONTINUATION)
This course is designed for those who have completed a beginner's course with Nicole, as well as those with previous writing experience.

MONDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 15, 2010.
Book by February 8, 2010.


--

LINE PRODUCTION (DEVELOPING)
This course will be tailored to suit the group and is aimed at those who have taken several courses with Nicole, as well as those with previous writing experience.

FRIDAY, 11am-1pm, starting February 5, 2010.
Book by January 29, 2010.

Labels: courses

Writers with some experience, whether formal or informal, may find a writing class beneficial but feel they're already familiar with the 'basics' of writing. This course aims to suit the writer who's a step beyond 'beginning' level, by balancing writing exercises and discussions of more advanced writing techniques with workshops in which participants can share work emerging from both class exercises and their own particular interests. It is suitable for writers working in all forms, though writers with specific interests may also be interested in our specialist classes and workshops.

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: member of the BIG SMOKE team

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Winter/spring 2010

THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 11, 2010. (Facilitator: Nicole Rourke)
Book by February 4, 2010.


SATURDAY, 1pm-3pm, starting March 13, 2010. (Facilitator: Maggie Smith Hurt)
Book by March 6, 2010.

Labels: courses

This introduction to creative writing explores a range of topics, from character and plot development to voice and style. Through writing exercises and examples from literature, participants will develop an awareness of various poetic and literary tools and techniques, and become more comfortable putting pen to paper to express themselves creatively. This class provides space for the beginning writer to share their work in a supportive workshop environment, and is suitable for writers working in all forms (poetry, drama, fiction, etc.).

Beginning To Write FAQ

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €240
Facilitator: member of the BIG SMOKE team

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring 2010 (evenings)

MONDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 1, 2010.
Booking still available for this course.


THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 4, 2010.
Booking still open.



Spring 2010 (daytime)

TUESDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting February 23, 2010.
Book by February 16, 2010.



Spring/summer 2010 (evenings)

Dates/times TBC.

Labels: courses

Writing Train Advanced Workshops with Yvonne Cullen

These advanced workshops invite in a small number of new members each term, to join a number of continuing group members. The benefits of this approach include the facility for members to come into a warm supportive environment from the very first session, and existing members can return from one term to the next, for as long as the facilitation by class tutor and the group dynamic and group learning are benefitting them.

Yvonne Cullen is the pioneer of this workshop approach in Ireland. Workshops moving to BIG SMOKE with Yvonne have been running consistently for five years and include many of the writers with work in ALL GOOD THINGS BEGIN, a critically acclaimed anthology published by Yvonne's workshops in 2006. Workshop participants also have access to the online forum at dublinwriters.net. This advanced workshop will also offer participants the opportunity to be involved in the running of a new Irish writing journal, to launch in association with BIG SMOKE in 2010.

Yvonne says that, second only to her mission to teach marvellously and facilitate like a dream, comes her mission to make these workshops really really good fun. The phrase 'Learning Parties' comes to mind, with a teapot on the table at all times!

Some places open up in these Writing Train workshops each term. To ensure that newcomers are placed in the group best suited to their abilities and needs, anyone interested is asked to email Yvonne with: a sample of their writing, a short summary of their writing experience, and their contact details. We will also be holding open registration days for those who would like to discuss the workshops (and our other courses) in person.

Length: 17 weeks
Fee: €395
Facilitator: Yvonne Cullen

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring 2010

WEDNESDAY, 7pm-9.30pm, starting March 3, 2010.
Book by February 23, 2010.

THURSDAY, 6.45pm-9.15pm, starting March 4, 2010.
Book by February 24, 2010.

Labels: courses

Intermediate writing course with Yvonne Cullen

Part class, part workshop, and the best of both worlds if you want taught inputs on areas of special interest to you alongside an intermediate level writing workshop. If you would like an intermediate level course with access to all the benefits of Yvonne’s Cullen's Advanced Writing Workshop, then this weekly session is for you.

Bonuses of membership of Writing Train course group are: access to Yvonne’s Online Writing Forum, dublinwriters.net, a bonus Sunday Saloon Writing Workshop, plus the chance to participate in the creation of a new online writing journal this term with Yvonne’s advanced workshop members.

Some places open up in these Writing Train workshops each term. To ensure that newcomers are placed in the group best suited to their abilities and needs, anyone interested is asked to email Yvonne with: a sample of their writing, a short summary of their writing experience, and their contact details. We will also be holding open registration days for those who would like to discuss the workshops (and our other courses) in person.

Length: 14 weeks
Fee: €315
Facilitator: Yvonne Cullen

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Winter/spring 2010

TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.45pm, starting January 26, 2010.
Students may still join this workshop.

WEDNESDAY, 10.45am-1pm, starting January 27, 2010.
Students may still join this workshop.

Labels: courses

This workshop is aimed at those who are working on a novel, whether writing a first draft or at the revising/editing stages. Although some writing exercises will be suggested to individual participants or the group as a whole where appropriate, the emphasis is on receiving constructive criticism from both peers and the workshop facilitator, and on providing a supportive and productive environment for novel writers facing the specific challenges involved in long-term creative projects.

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Claire Hennessy

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring/summer 2010
Day/time of next term of Novel In Progress TBC. (Please note that so far this workshop has always run on Monday evenings.)

Labels: courses

This course is designed for those beginning a novel, and will guide them through deciding what they want to write about, what sort of genre they’re interested in, any potential research that might be needed, and what sort of structure and viewpoint they will use. Students will look at character and plot development specifically in the context of novel-length work, and discover what method of outlining best suits them. By the end of the course students should have some idea of what they want to write about, and have completed the first draft of at least one chapter and/or have a developed outline.

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Facilitator: Claire Hennessy

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring/summer 2010
Date/time TBC.

Labels: courses

Strengthen your voice as a writer. Extend its range!

This class will take your poems to a new level, with its combination of taught inputs on craft and form, copious reading and exercises tailored to your writing’s current strengths and difficulties, along with expertly facilitated writing workshops.

Whether you are starting to send work out for publication, or would like to, whether you are working towards a first collection, or would simply like constructive and expert feedback, this course will meet you where you are right now, as a writer of poems, and will help you move a big step closer to fulfilling your potential!

Some places will be available in the ongoing Developing Poet workshop each term. Anyone interested in joining this workshop is asked to email Yvonne with: a sample of their writing, a short summary of their writing experience, and their contact details. We will also be holding open registration days for those who would like to discuss the workshops (and our other courses) in person.

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Yvonne Cullen

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Winter/spring 2010

SATURDAY, 3pm-5.15pm, starting January 23, 2010.
Book by January 16, 2010.

Labels: courses

This course explores the creative process in a fresh and unique way. A wide variety of activities involving movement, storytelling games, text exploration, mind mapping and writing exercises will be used to spark creativity and get ideas flowing. We will look at building character and developing plot using visual techniques such as body sculpture and storyboarding. This course is all about letting the imagination run away with itself!

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced writers, as well as anyone wishing to further explore their creativity.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: TBC
Fee: TBC
Facilitator: Nicole Rourke

Spring/summer 2010
Day/time to be confirmed. Please contact us with enquiries.

Labels: courses

Start your researched writing project!

Whether you’re starting a memoir, a research-based novel or non-fiction work, a screenplay or a collection of poems with a researched element, this course will get you going.
From History To Story combines the basics of an all round Beginning To Write course with guidance on planning, carrying out and marshalling your research. Crucially, this course will also set you tasks bringing writing and research together in a way that is tailored to your project.
You will leave this course with a plan for your project and greatly sharpened writing and research skills. You will also leave with a wealth of feedback from regular in-class workshop sessions and an equal amount of relevant reading to take with you.
The course includes two guided research trips to useful resources in Dublin, e.g. Gilbert Archive, Photographic archive, National Library.

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Facilitator: Yvonne Cullen

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring/summer 2010
Day/time to be confirmed. Please contact us with enquiries.

Labels: courses

This workshop is designed for anyone, beginner or experienced writer, interested in writing for older children (10+), or the teenage/young adult audience.
Please note that it may not suit those writing for younger children or those working on non-fiction projects, though they are welcome to contact the course facilitator to discuss this further. Please also note that this is not a course for young writers but for those writing for a young audience!

Participants will examine selections of recent (published within the last 30-40 years) children’s and young adult fiction, and begin or continue work on their own project aimed at a younger audience (short story, novel, graphic novel, play, collection of short fiction). While concentrating on topics common to all kinds of fiction (character development, plot, viewpoint, description, language, etc.) the class will also focus on issues such as writing for different age groups, developing authentic child/teen voices, taboo topics and censorship, how to research, and the ‘crossover’ novel.

Class time will be divided between covering particular topics, brief writing exercises, and workshops in which participants will share their works-in-progress and receive constructive feedback from both facilitator and their peers.

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Claire Hennessy

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring/summer 2010
Start date for the new term of A&A yet to be confirmed.

Labels: courses

A developing poet can often struggle with definitions of or how to employ the craft of poetry. This course aims to instruct on the basics of form, device and technique while offering a workshop environment to encourage participants to use, and experiment with, these elements of craft.

Former student Leanne Quinn had this to say about the workshop:

"Demystifying Poetry is an ideal workshop for anyone wishing to get beyond the often daunting perception that surrounds the genre of poetry. As a first time workshop participant I found the course a hugely encouraging and enriching experience. In a nurturing and friendly environment it helped me to look to the nuts and bolts of poetry; to see how and why a poem works, and gave me the confidence to write with a newfound sense of knowledge. This course is perfect for those willing to put shape, voice and sound to their ideas, whether they come with work in progress or merely an inkling to put pen to paper. For those interested in exploring poetry and their own relation to it, I really couldn't recommend this course enough."

Length: 12 weeks
Fee: €280
Facilitator: Maggie Smith Hurt

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Winter/spring 2010

TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting March 9, 2010.
Book by March 2, 2010.

Labels: courses