Creative writing sessions with author Els Beerten
During the workshops, the participants will be introduced to various aspects of writing children's literature through a series of small and larger writing exercises. Typical challenging topics will be addressed: characterisation, development and execution of tension, perspectives, space and time, sensory writing, and style, with ample attention given to dialogues and monologues. Participants are invited to discuss the relevance or irrelevance of focusing on a specific age during the writing process, and whether they want to adapt their themes and styles to a young audience.
In each workshop, participants have the opportunity to experiment with literary forms and open their texts to feedback, all in the freedom and confidentiality of like-minded individuals. They will also be encouraged to provide feedback on the texts of others.
As Els Beerten explains: "Hopefully, they will realize that you cannot be a half-hearted writer. Writing requires over 100% commitment. And that's good. Because only then you will find out whether writing is your way of being in the world. And if it's not, then no ship has sunk, no ocean has emptied. There are many ways to be in the world, and fortunately, writing is just one of them. But imagine if it's yours indeed."
No preparatory tasks or required readings