WORKSHOP Complicated People – Writing Complex Characters

Black and white promotional graphic for the workshop Complicated People: Creating characters with depth with Natasha Rai, taking place on Saturday 25 July, featuring a portrait of the presenter and the Hunter Writers’ Centre logo.

Saturday 25 July
1 pm – 5 pm
Belmont Library and limited online places
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The most interesting characters are a little bit complicated. In this workshop, push your characters to their limits to discover their depth and complexity.

WORKSHOP: The Short Story Blueprint

A workshop promotional image readiong “The Short Story Blueprint” with Cate Kennedy featuring a photo of Cate.

Wednesday 10 June
6 pm – 8:30 pm
Online
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In this 2.5 hour workshop, participants will learn how to maximise the impact of their short story drafts or ideas, especially if they are preparing to enter their work in a competition.

Expressions of Interest: Immersive Storytelling Masterclass

Across a series of guided workshops, participants explore new modes of narrative construction that move beyond linear storytelling. The program introduces techniques for writing and designing experiences that unfold across multiple projection surfaces, encouraging creators to think about rhythm, perspective, and the choreography of attention within an enveloping space. Practical sessions focus on developing content for the cube’s projection screens, including approaches to structuring imagery, sound, and text so that they interact dynamically with the architecture of the space. Participants learn how to adapt their existing creative processes to suit the sensory and spatial logic of immersive installation. By the end of the masterclass, attendees are equipped to conceptually frame and practically initiate an immersive artwork suitable for display in MAP mima’s projection cube. The program fosters experimentation, collaboration, and imaginative risk-taking, supporting creatives as they expand their storytelling practice into a multidimensional, audience-surrounding experience.

Expressions of interest close: Friday 13 February
Masterclass: Saturday 7 March
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The Immersive Storytelling Masterclass at MAP mima is a specialised program delivered in collaboration with Hunter Writers’ Centre, designed for writers, artists, and creative practitioners who want to expand their practice into the realm of immersive media

WORKSHOP: Writing Your Best Short Story

A woman stands in front of a red wall with text that reads: Writing Your Best Short Story. Saturday 29 November with Catherine McNamara.

Saturday 29 November
10 am – 4 pm
In-person – Joy Cummings Centre
Online via Zoom

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Join Catherine McNamara, judge and editor of the 2024 and 2025 Newcastle Short Story Award, for a practical workshop on the contemporary short story. You’ll explore ideas, openings, structure, voice, dialogue, revision and submissions, with examples from award-winning stories.

WORKSHOP: Danse Macabre

Danse Macabre Workshop with Joanne Anderton

Monday 13 October
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Online via Zoom
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Join us for a spooky workshop in the lead up to Halloween and learn how Horror can help you build atmosphere and heighten emotion in your writing.

WORKSHOP SERIES: Brave Pen Bold Stories with Oceane Campbell

“Brave Pen. Bold Stories. Writing the hard stuff with Oceane Campbell"

Wed 18 Jun — Wed 30 Jul
6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
In-person
Joy Cummings Centre, Newcastle
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Brave Pen, Bold Stories is a four-session creative writing course designed to support you to write and share personal stories, particularly those that involve difficult or transformative experiences. Facilitated by local author Oceane Campbell.

For writers and non-writers who want to turn real-life experience into powerful story.

ONLINE WORKSHOP SERIES: Digital Storytelling with Rory Green

"Digital Storytelling. Online storycraft with Rory Green"

Tue 15 Jul — Tue 5 Aug
6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
Online via Zoom
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Explore how to make stories that are interactive, multi-media and push the boundaries of form.
In this four-week online course, digital artist and editor Rory Green guides you through the tools, techniques, and ideas that define digital storytelling today. Suitable for storytellers of all genres.

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Writing Narrative Comedy with Patrick Lenton

"Narrative Comedy. Make stories funny with Patrick Lenton"

Tue 26 Aug
6:30 pm — 8:30 pm
Online via Zoom
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What makes a story funny? Or more importantly, how do we MAKE a story funny? This workshop with Patrick Lenton will give you the basic tools to create funny scenes, comedically minded characters, and crackling dialogue for any work of fiction or non-fiction.