John has conducted talks, short courses, seminars and workshops on creative writing and creativity at – among others – The University of Cambridge Centre for Continuing Education; the University of California at Davis Summer School; The University of Western Australia Extension School; Edith Cowan University; The WA State Literature Centre and The Fellowship of Australian Writers.
He has written for a living all his working life, first as a journalist and now as an author, popular novelist, scriptwriter, ghostwriter, copywriter, book doctor, writing coach, manuscript makeover consultant, manuscript assessor and as a creative writing teacher.
See John on Piazza Portraits produced by UWA to promote his creative writing courses at UWA Extension.
Creative Writing Courses
John usually has a programme of half-day, full-day and sometimes two-day courses running somewhere in Perth. Some of the course subjects he covers are :
- The Art of Plotting your Novel
Understanding and using the nine-point parabola of the plot - Developing Memorable Characters
How to create believable characters in your fiction - Writing Dramatic Dialogue
How to write sparkling dialogue - Show Don’t Tell
Otherwise known as ‘exposition’ or ‘backstory’ – how to carry the story by showing, not telling - Developing your Technique
How to develop your narrative style, voice, tone and point of view - Narrative Structure
How structuring the story and playing with time can increase the drama - The Writing Business
Understanding the world of publishing and the place of genre including writing a synopsis and hints on how to get published - Developing your Creativity
Understanding and expanding your natural creativity - How to Write a Popular Novel
Understanding what makes a novel popular - Writing a Thriller
Using mystery and suspense in your writing
For information on what course subjects are currently being conducted where and when, contact John
