LECTURES and WORKSHOPS

Guest Lecturer on Fred Olsen ship 'Black Watch'

As a published author, one of the many sideline attractions for me has been as a Guest Lecturer on cruise ships. I have done this many times now on a number of different ships, including Fred Olsen's Braemar, Black Prince, Black Watch and Balmoral. Plus Thomson's Celebration, Marco Polo, Arion, Norwegian Wind, Van Gough and P&O Arcadia. Lectures have to be informative and entertaining, as cruise ship passengers are offered plenty of variety in the events they choose to attend. Most recently I have offered Power Point Presentations as well as straight lectures, also Creative Writing sessions, and Book Clubs. My lectures have included the following:

Meet the Author
The Magic of Story-Telling
FAQs of a Writer's Life
Writing for Pleasure and Profit
A Plot to Remember
Creating Memorable Characters
The Highs and Lows of Research
So you want to be a Writer
Writing your Memoirs
Celebrities Galore!
Thomas Hardy Revisited

My Celebrities Galore lecture is occasionally the last one I do on cruise ships. By then the passengers have got to know me, and are hopefully ready for some entertaining anecdotes about some of the celebrities I have met during my writing career.

WORKSHOPS

I don't arrange my own workshops but I am in frequent demand by organisations such as Malaga Workshops, NAWG, The Earnley Concourse, and the Writers' Summer School which I have attended for many years.


WORKSHOP/COURSE TOPICS:

SHORT STORY WRITING

In my short story workshop I invite delegates to come to learn, and come to enjoy. It is part lecture, part audience participation, part fun. It's an introduction for those wanting to write short stories for the first time, and a refresher course for old hands. Learn how to Find ideas/ Constructing your story/ Sparkling beginnings and satisfactory endings/ Putting in the style/ Conflict and pace/ Bringing characters to life and Realistic dialogue/ Where to send it when you've written it! ... and Entering Competitions. Delegates have plenty of time to write given exercises and to receive constructive feedback on their work.

Some of my Short Story group, Swanwick, Derbyshire, April 2009, organised by Malaga Workshops

REGIONAL AND FAMILY SAGAS

Regional and family sagas are hugely popular among women readers. Sagas are long novels, so embarking on such a work also takes time and commitment. This workshop course will advise students how to create a memorable saga; how to make the most of the local interest that every region has to offer; and how to create a family unit and other characters that will intrigue and appeal to readers. Incorporating regional fauna and flora, local customs and minutiae, adds to the enjoyment of readers, so research is an important part of this form of writing. Sharing personal experiences as well as practical writing exercises will enhance this course with a tutor who has had plenty of success in the genre.

TALKS

I am available to give talks to any groups or organisations when time allows. I have given talks to Rotary and Probus groups; to Writers' circles; Libraries; Ladies groups; Luncheon Clubs; Friendship Circles and other groups, as well as Power Point Presentations on cruise ships.


Contact:
Email: jeanrowena@aol.com
Tel. 01934 518643