GET STARTED WRITING FANTASY: WORKSHOP SERIESÂ
Introducing the series…
Get started writing fantasy is a series of online workshops designed to help you start writing fantasy fiction. There are three workshops in total, each covering a different aspect of getting started in writing fantasy. You can pick and choose which workshops you want to take, or you can take all three!
Each workshop lasts approximately six weeks and consists of a series of written assignments, all of which are assessed by a tutor. As you tackle the assignments and receive expert feedback, you’ll move closer to achieving the objective of each workshop. All assignments are accompanied by a help sheet with useful tips, and you’ll be able to ask your tutor questions as you go along.
Below, you’ll find details on each workshop, information about the tutors, pricing, and a FAQ section.Â
1
Workshop one:Â Get started
What is it?
Workshop one focuses on building the fundamental skills you need to start writing fantasy fiction, including writing fantastical description, translating worldbuilding into story, writing dialogue and internal thought, creating tension, using ‘show’ and ‘tell’, and more. At the end, you’ll have some of the most critical skills you need to start writing fantasy fiction.
Who is it for?
This workshop is ideal for people who want to start writing fantasy fiction and are looking for a structured way to build the necessary skills. You may not have written anything yet and are looking for a way to get started. You may have started already but aren’t sure whether you’re getting it right. Either way, this workshop aims to help you start writing with confidence.
Schedule
Week one: Writing fantastical description
Your first assignment will be to translate a real-life incidence of wonder into a fantastical description. You’ll learn why wonder is important, how to translate the everyday into the fantastical, and how to select the most appropriate details to bring the fantastical to life.
Week two: Translating worldbuilding into story
In assignment two, you’ll learn how to integrate details of a fantasy world into a scene without drowning out the story. We’ll show you how worldbuilding elements can be used to build and deepen your scene’s conflicts and inform your scene’s physical and psychological details.
Week three: Character voice in dialogue and thought
Assignment three focuses on dialogue and internal thought. You’ll learn how to write natural-sounding dialogue that reflects a character’s unique voice and traits, and how to take the reader into a character’s mind and reveal their internal thoughts.
Week four: Show and tell
In your fourth assignment, you’ll use a combination of ‘show’ and ‘tell’ to depict a character’s feelings. You’ll learn how to do both and how to strike the right balance between them.
Week five: Using viewpoint
Assignment five introduces you to different viewpoints and shows you how they can be used to build tension. Your task will be to rewrite a scene from an alternative viewpoint, using the features of that viewpoint to your advantage.
Week six: Drivers of plot – creating conflict, mystery, and suspense
For assignment six, you’ll learn to use three of the key drivers of plot – conflict, mystery, and suspense. Your task will be to create an engaging scene using all three.
Booking
Cost:
$416.40 USD
You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:
3 July 2023
28 August 2023
23 October 2023
15 January 2024
2
Workshop two: Outline your novel
What is it?
Workshop two guides you through the process of creating a detailed outline for your fantasy novel, including plot, worldbuilding, theme, characters, and chapters. Your tutor will provide feedback and assistance every step of the way. At the end, the objective is for you to have a complete novel outline.
Who is it for?
This workshop is for people who have an idea for a fantasy novel and are ready to turn it into an actionable plan. Whether this is your first attempt at an outline, or whether you’ve already started one and are looking to revise it in a structured way with feedback, this workshop is for you.
Schedule
Week one: Summarise your plot
In your first assignment, you’ll outline your plot in stages, starting with a big-picture, one sentence summary and finishing with a more detailed full page summary.
Week two: Outline your world and themes
For assignment two, you’ll outline the key aspects of your world, including geography and cosmos, magic, technology, politics, and culture. You will also outline your themes.
Week three: Profile your main characters
Assignment three focuses on your main characters. Using our character profile template, you’ll profile your three main characters or all of your point of view characters, depending on your narrative structure.
Week four: Profile your secondary characters
Assignment four focuses on secondary characters. Using our character profile template, you’ll profile your key secondary characters.
Week five: Summarise your chapters
In assignment five, you’ll turn your plot outline into a provisional list of chapters, creating short summaries for each.
Week six: Complete your outline
In assignment six, you’ll bring all the different parts of your novel outline together, edit and revise them, and submit the finished version for final feedback, together with a summary of significant revisions. This assignment will only begin once you have received feedback from your tutor on assignment five.
Booking
Cost:
$416.40 USD
You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:
3 July 2023
28 August 2023
23 October 2023
15 January 2024
3
Workshop three: Write your first chapter
What is it?
Workshop three guides you through the process of writing the first chapter of your fantasy novel. Your tutor will provide feedback and assistance every step of the way. At the end, the objective is for you to have a complete first chapter.
Who is it for?
This workshop is for people who want to start writing the first chapter of their fantasy novel. Taking that first step can feel daunting, but this workshop will walk you through it and provide you with the support and feedback you need.
Schedule
Week one: Plan your first chapter
For assignment one, you’ll plan your first chapter, using our checklist to ensure it contains the key elements necessary to hook your reader.
Week two:Â Write your opening lines
For your second assignment, you’ll write your opening lines. You’ll learn how to grab your reader’s attention by starting your story the right way.
Week three: Write your first draft
For assignment three, you’ll have two weeks to write an initial first draft of your first chapter. You may or may not reach the end, but the aim is to produce a draft that you can receive feedback on and then revise and complete.
Week five: Revise and complete your draft
For your fourth assignment, you’ll have one week to revise and complete your draft. You’ll then submit it for final feedback from your tutor. This assignment will only begin once you have received feedback from your tutor on assignment three.
Booking
Cost:
$416.40 USD
You will be able to choose your start date on the checkout page. Places for each start date are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. The following dates are currently available to book:
3 July 2023
28 August 2023
23 October 2023
15 January 2024
Your tutor
Kahina Necaise
Executive Editor
FAQ
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Which countries do you accept bookings from?
We welcome clients who are resident in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada (excluding Saskatchewan), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and any EU country. If you are not resident in one of these countries, unfortunately we won’t be able to accept your business at this time.
What are the eligibility requirements?
The workshops are for fantasy fiction writers or those interested in writing fantasy fiction. Most sub-genres are fine, but we won’t accept erotic fiction or any children’s fiction below Middle Grade level. Middle Grade and above is very welcome.
The programme is carried out in English, so you’ll need to be able to write and communicate proficiently in English. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old and over – as is the case for all of our programmes and services.
We do reserve the right to make other exclusions on a case-by-case basis.
Before each workshop begins, we will check that you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do not, we reserve the right to refund your payment and cancel your place.
How do I book? Is there an application process?
The workshops are not selective, so there’s no application process. You can book now via the buttons on this page.
When's the booking deadline?
Bookings for each start date will usually close two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. However, places are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. We will remove dates from this page when all spaces are filled.
Should I book the workshops I'm interested in all at once or wait until later?
It’s up to you. You are welcome to book the workshops separately or all at once. However, places for each start date are limited, so we do advise booking early to secure your preferred dates.
Can I take more than one workshop at once?
We recommend that you take the workshops in sequence, starting with workshop one and working through to workshop three. When booking multiple workshops, you should ensure that each workshop starts on a different date, so you only take one workshop at a time. We factor in enough time between each start date so that you can complete one workshop before you move on to the next.
Who will be my tutor?
Your tutor will be assigned to you before each workshop begins. If you have a strong preference for which tutor you would like, let us know after you’ve booked and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preference.
Will I be part of a group or working alone?
Although others will also be taking part in the same workshops, this is a form of structured one-to-one coaching, so there’s no group environment.
What is the format of the workshops?
The workshops involve receiving and completing written assignments, which you will then return to your tutor for written feedback. You can ask questions via email.
What's the time commitment?
The workshops are designed to be completed in your spare time and should fit well around work and other commitments.
What happens after I book?
Your place will be reserved on your chosen workshop/s. You’ll receive email confirmation of your booking, followed by a welcome email where you’ll have the opportunity to reply with any questions. You’ll receive an introductory email from your tutor one week before the workshop/s begin.
Will I have to be available at certain times of the day?
No. There’s no requirement to be available at any particular time or to be in any particular time zone. You’ll complete the assignments in your own time, allowing you to participate around your schedule, no matter which time zone you’re in.
How will I submit my assignments?
Over email directly to your tutor.
How long will I have to complete each assignment?
One week for most assignments. The only exception is the assignment in week three of workshop three, for which you have two weeks.
What if I'm late completing an assignment?
The assignments are designed to be realistic and achievable within the given timeframe, but we understand life may sometimes get in the way. We’ll still provide feedback so long as the delay is reasonable, i.e. not longer than two or three weeks. Feedback may take longer than normal, however, especially if it falls during a holiday period.
Besides the assignments and feedback, what other support will I receive?
You’ll be able to ask one round of questions after you receive feedback on each assignment, plus a final round at the end of the workshop. You’ll receive a help sheet with every assignment to help you complete it.
What if I'm away/on holiday for part of a workshop?
If you’ll be away as a one-off for a reasonable length of time, we’ll ordinarily still provide feedback on any late assignments, provided they are not more than two or three weeks late. Feedback may take longer than normal, however, especially if it falls during a holiday period.
What if I change my mind or I have to leave the workshop early?
You’ll have a 14-day window to change your mind after booking, during which you can cancel and receive a full refund, unless the workshop has already started, in which case the value of the work will be deducted from any refund. After this 14-day window has ended, you can withdraw at any time, but we won’t be able to provide a refund.
How do I pay?
You can pay by credit or debit card.
Which payment currencies do you accept?
We accept three payment currencies: USD, GBP, and EUR. The currency you pay in will depend on your country of residence. People resident in the UK will pay in GBP, people resident in the EU will pay in EUR, and people resident in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa will pay in USD.
What are the full terms and conditions?
You can view our full terms and conditions here. You will be asked to review them and agree to them during the booking process.
More questions?
If you have any additional questions, or if you want to discuss whether the workshops would be right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing us at enquiries@fabledplanet.com.