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The human mind is like an umbrella.

It functions best when open.
~Max Gropius~

 

2010 Program Details

In 2010, you could do the most incredible and ordinary thing imaginable; you could write a novel.

This program is a structured combination of feedback, advice, discipline and inspiration. It is taught by dr nike bourke and is based on my experiences as a writer, as a passionate reader and lover of writing, an editor, professional mentor, and a teacher and supervisor of creative writing in a range of settings over more than ten years.

As part of a small group of writers you will take part in a year-long program that's designed to support and challenge you; inspire and excite you; and help you get words on the page.

At the end of the program you should either:

• have completed a first draft of your manuscript, or;
• reworked a first draft into a more shapely and coherent draft.

Participants will be expected to submit one chapter per month for feedback and discussion.

At the end of the program - during the final retreat - participants will have an opportunity to pitch their work to both an agent and a publisher.

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THE PROGRAM:

CREATIVE WORK FEEDBACK CYCLE

Each month you will submit a chapter from your creative work to your peers and your mentor, who will read your work and provide feedback and advice. You will also provide feedback on one of your peer's work each month: finetuning your editorial skills and techniques.

Participants have the option of submitting 'extra' work for feedback only if they submit a completed chapter each month (as a reward for all that hard work!). Up to 5000 words of extra work will be read and commented on by the tutor each month.

MONTHLY LESSONS

Each month you'll be able to access a focused online lesson on writing. The lessons will include guidelines on how to develop the chapter you're working on that month. In the first lesson, for example, we'll look at the various ways writers approach planning and developing a project, the pros and cons of outlining versus discovery drafting, working with a mentor/writing group, and what makes a good first chapter. Each lesson will include prompts for discussion, as well as writing prompts for you to use in developing your novel.

THREE RETREATS

Three times during the year you will travel to Olvar Wood Writers Retreat for intensive residential workshops designed to complement the work you have been doing independently. These retreats will be an opportunity to take time out from your otherwise busy life to focus on your writing, and gain the kind of feedback and support from both myself and the rest of the group that can only arise from spending a year writing, thinking, reading and talking together. Sharing the life of the mind and the imagination.

Retreat Dates:

25 - 31 January

11- 14 June

27 November - 3 December

working online

The MDP writers enjoy the use of a custom-designed interactive learning site. The site is a place for you and your fellow participants, and the mentor, to keep in touch with each other between residential retreats. The space includes discussion forums (for asynchronous discussion), chat rooms (for realtime discussions), monthly 'lectures' and resources, lists of writing opportunities and competitions, and so on. The space also includes areas where you can submit work to your mentor without others reading it.

The space is user-friendly and secure. You can check out how OWL works by messing about in the free online courses Playing with Prose or Playing with Poetry at OlvarWoodonLine

AGENT & PUBLISHER PITCH

During the final retreat, you will have an opportunity to pitch your project to both an agent and a publisher. You will be coached, in the lead-up to this opportunity, on how best to approach a pitch, what to submit, in what format, and so on.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tuition, mentorship, feedback and appraisal work, retreats (including accommodation and most meals), and Friends of Olvar membership.

WHEN

The program runs from January 1 - to December 31, 2010.

• First Retreat: 25 - 31 January
• Second Retreat: 4 - 7 June
• Third Retreat: 27 November - 3 December

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should include:

• A sample of your writing (up to 5,000 words);
• An outline of your proposed novel/book;
• A statement outlining what you hope to achieve from undertaking the program.

Applications can be posted to:

PO Box 252

PALMWOODS QLD 4555

Applications

Applications should include:

- A summary of your writing experience/writing CV;

- A sample of your writing, preferably in the genre you plan to work in; and

- An outline of the project you will be working on.

 

Applications close November 30, 2009.

COST

In 2010, the year-long manuscript development program costs $6000.00. This fee includes all tuition, and tuition material, feedback, and retreats (accommodation and most meals). Fees may be paid in quarterly instalments.

 

We also have limited non-residential places available for $3000. The non-residential MDP includes online tuition, feedback and all tuition material.

 

Participants in the Manuscript Development Program automatically become lifetime Friends of Olvar.

 

QWC, ACTWC and NRWC members receive a 10% discount.

FUNDING

Although Olvar Wood Writers Retreat does not supply or receive funding itself, you can apply for funding to support your visit to Olvar Wood through your state-based arts funding body. If you are a postgraduate student at a university, you may be able to apply to use your discretionary funds to attend a retreat or course. We are happy to provide letters of support or other documentation for your application upon request.

Olvar Wood Writers Retreat. Queensland, Australia