This is an archived site. Visit the current website at bookcouncil.sg.

Let Them Speak: Writing Better Dialogue (Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, Graphic Novels and Drama)

By Darryl Whetter

3 February 2018 (Sat)
2:00pm – 5:00pm

Singapore Book Council Training Room
90 Goodman Road, Blk E #03-32
Goodman Arts Centre
Singapore 439053
MAP

Course Fee: $70.00
Eventbrite Registration Fee: $3.74

This is a past course. View upcoming courses.

SYNOPSIS

In both life and art, we announce who we are by what we say as well as how and when we speak (or don’t). In all literary genres, dialogue is an extremely valuable technique for creating vivid and memorable characters. This workshop will also explore ways in which dialogue is or can be action. Blessedly, writing better dialogue is a learnable skill.

Course outline
We will look at:

  • Dialogue and intimacy (/assumed intimacy)
  • Dialogue and character dynamics
  • Dialogue and conflict
  • Verbal tics and vocal self-portraits
  • Writing Meta-Lesson I: turning your (social & interpersonal) observations into (written) art
  • Writing Meta-Lesson II: differences between life and art
  • Writing Meta-Lesson III: expanding your empathy beyond your subjective experience

This is a beginner level workshop suitable for those aged 18 and above.

About the Trainer: Darryl Whetter

Darryl Whetter

Dr. Darryl Whetter is the inaugural director of the first Creative Writing MA in Singapore and Southeast Asia (at LASALLE College of the Arts). He is the author of three books of fiction and two poetry collections. In his native Canada, his debut collection of stories was a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of 2003 and, Origins, his first poetry collection, received a starred review in Quill & Quire. His scholarly articles on literature and Creative Writing pedagogy have been published by Routledge, the National Poetry Foundation (US), and Presses Sorbonne Nouvelle, etc.

Registration Details

Capability Development Grant

The Capability Development Grant is open to individuals and organisations who have a strong track record of involvement in the arts at a professional level, and is able to demonstrate commitment to the long-term development of the arts in Singapore.

Kinokuniya Privilege Card Members

Kinokuniya Privilege card members can enjoy 10% off the workshop fee.
Please provide your membership number and workshop title to [email protected] for the discount code before online registration.

Minimum – Maximum Number of Participants: 11 – 20 pax

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.