MANUSCRIPT MASTERCLASS
a short course with professional freelance editor Nadine Davidoff
About the Event
In this online program comprising 4 x 2-hour sessions, freelance book editor and writing teacher Nadine Davidoff will analyse the fundamental principles of compelling prose—whether it be fiction or narrative non-fiction. What is voice and how does a writer cultivate it? What are the essential components of a powerful opening? What are the most effective ways to evoke character and setting? Drawing on examples from contemporary literature, this workshop will expose the hidden architecture that scaffolds the best writing. Davidoff brings extensive teaching and trade publishing experience to this unique short-course opportunity.
Session 1
2pm-4pm Sunday 6 Sept
Our first session will examine the fundamental questions of voice and focus. Is your voice distinctive and fresh? Does it express your unique sensibility? A book should address one key question. What is your core enquiry? What are you writing towards?
Session 2
2pm-4pm Sunday 13 Sept
This session focuses on narrative—the vehicle for your story. Narrative encompasses point of view, vantage point and tense. We will look at the pros and cons of each choice, and also consider narrative pace. How does one accelerate a narrative, or slow it down?
Session 3
2pm-4pm Sunday 20 Sept
In this session, we will look at options for structure and analyse the components of a powerful opening.
Session 4
2pm-4pm Sunday 27 Sept
Finally, we will discuss ways to reveal character, and illuminate the inextricable relationship between character and setting.
There will be opportunities for Nadine to comment on participants’ work, though this will be limited to what is possible within the scope of the program and equity for all those participating.
Please note: as this program has been designed as an interconnected series of sessions, participants will not be able to pay by session. Each participant to be responsible for the stability of their internet connection.
About Nadine Davidoff
Nadine Davidoff is a freelance book editor and writing/editing teacher with extensive trade publishing experience. She has worked as a Senior Editor at Random House and a Commissioning Editor at Black Inc. Nadine has taught in RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing course and she teaches the annual Fiction Editing Masterclass in Melbourne University’s Masters of Publishing program. From 2015 to 2019 Nadine delivered the manuscript-development component of HARDCOPY, the ACT Writers Centre’s highly regarded national emerging writers development program funded by the Australia Council for the Arts.