‘Artists must confront the climate crisis – we must write as if these are the last days.’ - Novelist and poet, Ben Okri, Guardian, 2021

Synopsis

Ben Okri feels that response to climate change needs ‘new forms of creativity and human imagination.’

This workshop will cover techniques to tackle the climate issue through fiction. We will explore the process and the challenges of writing this genre. We will study some climate fiction that has been successful in bringing up the issue but also immerse the reader in an engaging story, which, at the end of the day, is the target of all writers. This course is not for climate scientists who wish to discuss the climate crisis.

Event details:

  • Date: 29 July 2023, Saturday
  • Time: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
  • Venue: SBC Training Room, Goodman Arts Centre, Blk E, #03-32 (no lift acces) Directions here.

Learning Outcomes:

Structure an impactful climate story.

1. Discuss what constitutes climate fiction. (50 mins)

  • Read short excerpts of climate fiction to get an idea of this genre. (Pre-reading sent before course starts.)
  • Discuss with class what common elements they find in the stories. (15 mins)
  • Make a group synthesis of what is climate fiction and what elements are required in the stories that struck them as important. (15 mins)
  • Exercise: Participants begin filling out a climate fiction worksheet to help them structure their story. (20 minutes)

2. Review the fundamentals of Storytelling. (30 mins)

  • Discuss the 6 elements of storytelling.
  • Go through briefly the neuroscience of storytelling on the brain.

3. The structure of an impactful climate fiction. (30 mins)

  • Is the story more important or the facts?
  • How to convey the facts without boring the reader.
  • Learn what is required in writing climate fiction?
  • i. Research
  • ii. Dystopic or Utopic story – which has more impact? 

4. Begin writing a climate story. (70 mins)

  • Start writing the climate story based on the worksheet (25 mins)
  • Exchange and give each other feedback on the story (15 mins)
  • Discuss one participant story to share feedback in class (15 mins)
  • Final Q & A (15 mins)

Participants who wish it can send, via email or submit in class, 1,500 words of the climate story for feedback via email. 

This workshop would suit both beginners and more experienced writers who have an interest in the climate crisis and in writing this genre.

Cancellation:

The programme can be cancelled or postponed two weeks before the programme date if the minimum number of participants is not met. Participants will be fully refunded for workshops cancelled by us.

Participants who are unable to attend a workshop they have registered for are to inform us of the reason two weeks before the workshop date. They will be fully refunded in the event of extenuating and mitigating circumstances (E.g. illness, bereavement, accidents) . Those who inform us up to 5 working days before the workshop date will receive a 50% refund. Those who did not turn up at the workshop will not receive a refund.

Upon registration, you are deemed to have read and understood the cancellation and withdrawal policy and accept the terms contained therein.