57124 Novel Writing Workshop

Handbook description

This is an advanced workshop subject for students who have already commenced work on a novel and who are keen to progress towards a completed final draft of a manuscript. The focus of this subject is upon polishing, redrafting, editing and completing. The final work should be 30,000 words (longer manuscripts are accepted and encouraged, but restrictions may apply to feedback/assessment). Students are expected to write and circulate for peer assessment drafts of chapters from their work-in-progress every week.

Additionally, students study a select range of contemporary and classical novels and extracts as well as some secondary material that enhances their understanding of the art of novel writing.

The aim of this subject is to provide focus and encouragement to enable students to realise their aim of producing a strong draft novel or novella.

Subject objectives/outcomes

In this subject, students will:

1. produce the draft of a novel
2. acquire skills to reflect critically on their writing
3. acquire skills to revise and re-draft work in progress
4. acquire skills to reflect critically on fictional texts in English
5. study and practise formal and technical elements of novel writing.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject:

• enhances specific skills in writing
• develops a knowledge of a specific genre of writing
• encourages a practical understanding of aesthetic and cultural debates
• enhances critical and creative thought in relation to contemporary writing.

Teaching and learning strategies

There will be a balanced emphasis on critical reading and writing workshopping activities. Activities will consist of a mix of workshop, required exercises, reading and commentary on students' work, brief seminar presentations, in-class discussion and analysis, and reading projects.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: To complete the draft of part of a long work of fiction, approx 15,000 words

Assessment item 2: To read and assess the full manuscript of another member of the class

Assessment item 3: To present a critical appraisal of one of the set texts

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Indicative references

These may vary each semester depending upon availability of texts. The current reading list consists of the following novels:

• Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary (1857)
• Thomas Mann, Jane Eyre (1847)
• Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea (1966)
• Gertrude Stein, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (1933)
• Glenda Adams, The Tempest of Clemenza (1996)
• Malcolm Knox, Summerland (2000)

These texts will be supplemented by class handouts, which may include extracts from other novels, stories, essays and critical and theoretical pieces, provided by the lecturer.

Reference works for this subject include:

• Writing and Contemporary Cultures Style Guide (FH&SS)
• Garry Disher, Writing Fiction
• Milan Kundera, The Art of the Novel
• Jerome Stern, Making Shapely Fiction
• William Strunk & E.B White, The Elements of Style
• Brenda Walker (ed), The Writer's Reader