Preparing A Masterclass On Building Fantastic Worlds
Last Wednesday I posted about the inaugural National Writers’ Forum, forthcoming next weekend, 17-18 September, as part of which I’ll be presenting a masterclass on Building Fantastic Worlds — which of course if right up my alley.
Since then I’ve been working pretty hard on finalising the presentation, which has been both challenging and also a lot of fun. The challenge part is because it’s 90 minutes in duration and even allowing for question time, that’s a reasonably long time for a presentation.
Another reason it’s challenging is because there is so much material one could cover, so you have to decide what’s absolutely vital to include and what can potentially be omitted. Another part of the challenge is captured by a quote attributed to the great Joanne Harris of Chocolat fame:
” ‘Writing tips’ don’t exist. Tips are for make-up, gardening, cookery. The phrase you’re looking for is ‘skills acquired over years of work.’ “
So trying to transfer some of those skills, in a manner vaguely reminiscent of a Vulcan mind-meld, in a 90 minute presentation is challenging.
However, challenges can, by their very nature, also be fun. Also, as some who had been a lover of fantastic worlds almost as long as I can remember, as well as a working with them as an integral part of my own writing, it is impossible not to enjoy the opportunity to immerse myself in the topic.
So I hope the sense of challenge, but also the fun and enjoyment will characterise the masterclass experience for participants next weekend.