Building the Novel: Hive Writers Day
Building the Novel
A Hive Young Writers’ Day with Rachel Bower
In partnership with Sheffield Libraries Year of Reading
“A novel is not written, it is built.”
…so says novelist E.L. Doctorow. Meanwhile Zadie Smith believes a novel to be ‘like a house you have to live in while you’re still constructing it’.
But what does it actually mean to build and realise a full-length work of fiction? What are the ‘bricks’ that will allow you not only to start one but keep the cement coming when the excitement fades and the story threatens to crumble? How do writers turn sparks, fragments and characters into something solid?
If you’re itching to consider the answers, then join award-winning writer Rachel Bower for a fun and inspiring Hive writers’ day exploring all things the novel. Through writing tips, inspiring texts and creative prompts, we’ll create snippets of new writing and consider how we can construct from the raw materials of character, voice, narrative, place, plot, dialogue, rhythm and more.
This day is for anyone curious about longer fiction: whether you’re laying the blueprint of an idea, or already deep inside an octopus draft that’s starting to grow limbs and walk! (we’ve lost the house metaphor here, but you get the drift!)
Rachel will also share insights from her own writing journey and what it’s like to take a book from early idea through to publication. We’ll discuss how writers plan (or don’t), how to build momentum and scaffold ideas, and how to keep your faith with a long game fiction project.
Expect a relaxed, supportive atmosphere with time to test drive techniques and leave with fresh inspiration and practical tools for building from the foundations upwards.
Open to young writers aged 15–30, with any experience level. Come to start something new, or to strengthen what you’re already building.
In partnership with Sheffield Libraries
FULL BOOKING DETAILS COMING SOON (date TBC likely sat 11th April inSheffield) & WRITER BIO [email [email protected] if you want to be sent a reminder!]