People get creative in a previous 'Learn To Write Good' workshop. Photo/Supplied
People get creative in a previous 'Learn To Write Good' workshop. Photo/Supplied
Rotorua people can learn more about letting their creativity flow onto blank pages at an upcoming creative writing workshop.
On Saturday August 4 poet, musician and best-selling author Dominic Hoey is running a one-day creative writing workshop at Digital Basecamp, in Hinemoa St.
With support from Rotorua Lakes Council, the workshop is able to be offered at an affordable rate, with reduced prices for students and beneficiaries.
Dominic also offers scholarships to those in hardship who would like to attend but are unable to afford it.
Organised by local writer Angela Frank, the workshop ties in with the literary focus that August has nationally.
The winners for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are announced and there is National Poetry Day which hits on August 24, and is celebrated extensively through Aotearoa, including Rotorua on and around the day.
Angela says developing your voice is an empowering way for people to connect with their communities and celebrate who we are.
"I'd rather connect with local stories than watch Netflix. The scholarships are great because they encourage diversity - I hope some people apply for them.
"The workshop is such an amazing opportunity. Dominic is super talented and not what you'd expect."
Dominic has been running his workshops, 'Learn To Write Good' for three years, working with more than 100 writers.
They cover the fundamentals of creative writing and are open to everyone from poets to song writers, to journalists to novelists.
The classes are relaxed with a focus on creativity, but also touch on technique to make sure students leave with the rudiments of good writing.
To date, Dominic has released two books of poetry, four short films, a one-man show and a best-selling novel.
In a former life, he was an MC battle and slam-poetry champion releasing five critically-acclaimed studio albums.
Poet, musician and best-selling author Dominic Hoey. Photo/Supplied
He's performed in Australia, Europe, England, Japan, and America. His novel Iceland was long listed in this year's Ockham book awards and listed as one of 2017's best books by The Listener.
Dominic enjoys running the workshops because it is a chance to talk about and teach what he has learnt in about 25 years of writing.
He felt from workshops he had done in the past that there were certain angles in writing people were not touching on, and so he wanted to do workshops incorporating them.
Dominic says he has put a lot of time into the syllabus and is confident people will get a lot of it.
He enjoys creative writing because it is a chance to show people how you see the world.
"You can also create worlds and characters, and let them do their thing."
The details - What: 'Learn To Write Good' workshop with Dominic Hoey - When: Saturday August 4, 10am to 5pm - Where: Basecamp - Hinemoa St (near Te Manawa) - Cost: $95/$45/scholarships available. Enquire and enrol by phone or email (027) 442 2475 or iamangelafrank@gmail.com.
