The peculiar sensation of fear arises from one's desire to create something but being at a loss as to where to start. You may be someone who has lots of ideas written down in your notebook but cannot put those into a meaningful creation, or maybe you have a story that keeps spinning around inside your head without having the proper words to express it on paper. This creative writing workshop is probably going to be an excellent step towards finding yourself.
It's high time to learn what will happen during this workshop, why it can be useful for you, and how to get the most out of it.
Why "Beginner" Doesn't Mean What You Think It Does
Many people stay away from writing workshops as they think that all the other people attending will be "real writers" with plenty of writing experience and publications, while they themselves would only have an idea and lots of fear. Actually, it is the fear which holds many people back from writing much more than anything else.
The beginner's workshop for creative writing offered by OCLF is specifically designed for such occasions. There is no need to have polished writing right from the start; instead, curiosity, experimentation, and diligence to attend the sessions and write something every time despite how awkward you might feel. All the writers, regardless of their experience and talent, were exactly at this point once, and this is why the OCLF approach is so inviting and not frightening.
What You Actually Learn in the Workshop
A beginners' creative writing workshop offered by OCLF introduces you to a number of basic skills, which you can employ regardless of the genre that interests you, be it fiction, poetry, essay, or screenplay.
One thing you will begin with will be the basic structure of the story and what it means to construct one, its beginning, middle and end, and what makes it important to know the rules of the story construction before breaking them. Characterisation is another important skill; here you will learn to develop characters who seem realistic, who have their motivations and flaws, and not stereotypical characters.
The notion of voice will be discussed at the workshop, and you will learn how to hear your own writing voice, not the imitation of an author whom you read before. There will be discussion of such technical aspects of the creative writing process as dialogue and description.
And, most importantly, you will learn how to deliver constructive criticism, which is important for more than just the workshop since one's writing skills improve tremendously when one is able to analyse his/her own work critically.
The Real Value Isn't Just the Techniques
Then there is something that cannot be conveyed in words as easily – the importance of consistency. One of the major issues faced by new writers is not so much a lack of writing skills as a failure to cultivate the habit of sitting down and putting pen to paper. Sessions such as the one described above will instil this discipline.
What's more, being surrounded by equally self-conscious fellow writers is very valuable indeed. Taking part in a literary festival such as OCLF, being amidst readers, writers, poets and storytellers of different levels of proficiency, also contributes to this effect – being amongst many people with similar experience is likely to make one feel less awkward about having an early draft and sharing their work with others.
What Makes This Workshop Worth Attending at OCLF Specifically
All creative writing workshops for novices are not made the same, and one unique factor about attending the workshop as part of the Orange City Literature Festival is that it is unique compared to the usual stand-alone workshops.
You are in a space which is already full of literary buzz because of other events which are taking place simultaneously on those very three days; namely, interactions with established authors and panel discussions and open mic sessions. The mere fact that you are in such a setting is likely to motivate and inspire you more often than a classroom environment would.
Moreover, OCLF has its philosophy, which is that every voice in the literary circle is an equally valid one regardless of their age and experience level – it is what forms the foundation of the workshop itself, where your novice attempts are accepted along with everyone else's with no pressure and only genuine encouragement.
Finally, OCLF attracts participants from the entire Central India area, not just from Nagpur itself.
Common Fears Beginners Have, and Why They're Not a Big Deal
"I don't have any good ideas." This is what most people starting out think, and quite frankly, this course shows you that ideas aren't the elusive, magical element they appear to be; rather, they are everywhere – from overheard conversations to personal experiences and memories. The only trick is knowing how to notice them and how to develop them.
"My writing isn't good enough to show anyone yet." All writers experience that feeling, even the more experienced ones. The entire point of this workshop created by OCLF is to help you normalise putting out work that's not completely finished and to use feedback to improve your writing.
"I'm too intimidated to attend a literary festival because I've never tried my hand at writing." This, most likely, is the most common excuse for not attending. This is precisely the reason for OCLF creating this workshop.
What Comes After the Workshop
However, a creative writing class for beginners such as this one is not a class designed to have you ready and able to publish within just one lesson; this is not really what it is about. Instead, it provides you with the basics and the experience, the habit of consistent writing and the confidence necessary to continue once the class ends.
For many beginners, the open mic sessions offered by OCLF alongside the class throughout the festival become the logical progression from the class itself, a warm and welcoming environment in which to actually share your work.
Getting Started
If your reluctance to write has been based on fear of being "ready" or having enough talent yet, that apprehension is actually the most common one among people who will eventually become true writers. There is no way to begin perfectly. The difference between those who develop and those who remain at the thought stage is just putting pen to paper, with all the imperfections.
The creative writing workshop for beginners organised as part of the Orange City Literature Festival offers precisely what you need in order to overcome that reluctance through the course of three days of the liveliest literary event in India. If you have been meaning to write for some time, this could truly be the time to do it.