57124 Novel Writing

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This is an advanced workshop for students who have some background in fiction writing and who are either commencing work on a novel or have already commenced. The aim of this subject is to produce the opening section of a potential novella or novel, or a substantial portion of a work in progress, minimum 5000 words and maximum 10,000 words. Contemporary and experimental forms of the novel are studied and encouraged as well as more traditional narratives. Students study a range of short novels that enhance their understanding of the form and help develop their critical skills. Workshop participation and peer assessment are a vital part of this subject.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Write to a publishable standard across a range of genres, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the appropriate use of different writing forms (1.1)
• Negotiate and understand the specifications of commissioned writing tasks in diverse environments (1.2)
• Understand, reproduce and experiment with genre and form (2.1)
• Locate and evaluate an extensive range of sources in literary practice (2.2)
• Convey complex ideas in writing clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, across a range of media formats (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes will offer a range of teaching and learning strategies including informal lectures/seminar presentations, brief student presentations, discussion and analysis of set texts and other readings, along with workshopping.

Feedback on students' work in progress is provided by the lecturer in written and oral form throughout the semester; students also receive feedback from their peers in small and large group workshopping, while Assessment task 2 formalises students' critical feedback to each other.

Content (topics)

This subject builds on skills acquired in earlier core subjects to enable students to write longer form narratives, especially ones developed from short stories. Topics include: characterisation; the role of the narrator; structure, story shape, action and plot; order, duration, frequency and other aspects of time and rhythm; the professional experience of novel writing in discussion with practicing authors.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Critical appraisal of a set text

Assessment task 2: Critical assessment of another student's manuscript

Assessment task 3: Novel opening/section

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer.

In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for you to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.

References

Texts for class study and discussion are listed week by week in the outline. NB: Tirra Lirra by the River is NOT available as an ebook or on audio so source a print copy as soon as possible - from a library or order a print copy now.

• Jessica Anderson, Tirra Lirra By the River
• Kate Jennings, Snake
• Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis
• Claire Keegan, Foster
• Jessica Au, Cold Enough for Snow

These texts may be supplemented by class handouts or e-readings, including extracts from other novels, stories, essays and critical and theoretical pieces, provided by the lecturer. Recommended reference works for this subject include:

• Jane Allison, Meander, Spiral, Explode (2019)
• Carmel Bird, Dear Writer (1988)
• James Wood, How Fiction Works (2008)
• Renni Browne & Davie King, Self Editing for Fiction Writers (2004)
• Garry Disher, Writing Fiction (revd edn 2001)
• EM Forster, Aspects of the Novel (1927; 1990)
• Milan Kundera, The Art of the Novel (revd edn 1999)
• John Sutherland, How To Read a Novel (2006)
• Jerome Stern, Making Shapely Fiction (revd edn 2000)
• William Strunk & E.B White, The Elements of Style (4th edn 2000)
• Brenda Walker (ed), The Writer's Reader (2002)
• John Yorke, Into the Woods (2014)
• Writing and Contemporary Cultures Style Guide (FASS)