Structural editing of fiction—All aboard the Arc ?
By Shelley Kenigsberg
25 October 2013 (Fri)
9.30am – 5.30pm
ChartNexus
International Plaza, #34-08
10 Anson Road, Singapore 079903
MAP | WEBSITE
Course Fee: $150.00
View GalleryWant to put ‘corsets on an elephant,’ as Tom Wolfe said, when describing structural editing. Good editors know how to do just that. In this workshop, we’ll look at the traditional and modern forms of narrative, particularly the narrative arc and how editors reveal and confirm the story’s journey, the characters’ development and the resolution of a riveting plot. Join us to delve into fiction works and discover the joy of having a finely tuned ear for dialogue, eye for detail and nose for a good story!
Course Outline
We'll look at:
- ‘big picture’ editing: Assessing for plot, character development and lyricism
- knowing when to suggest variations: Changing shape and size
- ‘ideal’ shapes: Is the 3-act structure the only ‘right’ one?
- ensuring balance and elegance of language, ideas and form
- contemporary fiction: Resonance of the past or new order?
- developing judgement: When to change and when to hold back.
We’ll use excerpts from classic and contemporary fiction to explore these questions and more. The skills of structural editing hold for non-fiction as well as fiction, but this workshop looks specifically at the elements so necessary to excellent storytelling: Plot, character, point of view, dialogue …lots more. Expand and deepen your editing skills. There’ll be lots of room for interaction and a Question & Answer session to close the day.
About the Trainer: Shelley Kenigsberg
Shelley Kenigsberg is a prominent freelance editor, writer and trainer. She runs S K Publishing (working with a range of private and publishing clients) and, since 2009, has presented Editing in Paradise masterclass programs. In 2012, Writing in Paradise began and now, both programs are fun in (as the name suggests) paradisiacal places. This year, Byron Bay, Ibiza, Myanmar and Bali. She is currently involved in training editors, mentoring writers, and editing and writing for trade, corporate, academic and educational, government and private clients.
Shelley is Head of the Macleay Diploma in Book Editing and Publishing and has delivered the course for the past 26 years. She has developed and presented courses for writers centres (Northern Rivers WC, Northern Territory WC, NSW WC, Tasmanian WC, Qld WC); Asia-Pacific Writers and Translators; Societies of Editors, Style Council, Institute of Professional Editors conferences, Distance Education for the Open Learning Conference in Australia; writers festivals in Indonesia (Ubud Writers Festival 2004–16) and language and corporate institutes overseas (Indonesia, Japan and South Africa). Shelley is a founding member of Professional Editors Association (NSW), was President of the NSW Society of Editors from 2001–03, Vice-President in 2004, Chair of the Accreditation Board and active in other national initiatives through the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd).
Shelley is writing her own book. So she understands how to wear a few hats. The author one is, currently, the worst fitting. This will change.
Registration Details
Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis and workshop fees must be paid before the workshop. If the minimum number of participants is not met for the class, the organisers will inform all participants about possible postponement and cancellation, two weeks before the workshop date.
Cancellation & Substitution
The workshop can be cancelled or postponed two weeks before the workshop date if the minimum number of participants is not met. Participants will be fully refunded for workshops cancelled by us.
Participants who are unable to attend a workshop they have registered for are to inform us of the reason two weeks before the workshop date. They will be fully refunded in the event of extenuating and mitigating circumstances (E.g. illness, bereavement, accidents) . Those who inform us up to five (5) working days before the workshop date will receive a 50% refund. Participants can also attend another course at the same value within the same year.
Upon registration, you are deemed to have read and understood the cancellation, withdrawal and substitution policy and accept the terms contained therein.