In this new series of writing workshops designed and delivered by author and poet Gerry Boland, the focus is on the short story. Over eight Friday mornings, Gerry and the course participants will read and analyse eight of Gerry’s own stories, taken from his 2018 collection, The Far Side of Happiness, and from his forthcoming collection, A Change in the Weather.
Style, content, structure, theme, characterisation, motivation, narrative flow — these and more aspects of each short story will be discussed during close readings of each story. The 2-hour workshops have two primary objectives: to learn through readings and discussion what works and doesn’t work in a short story; and to write early drafts of at least two and possibly four stories, written during periods of free writing within each session.
The aim is for each participant to have early drafts of new stories written by the end of the course, stories that can be worked on and improved over the winter months. The workshops are ideal for anyone who has an interest in the short story form, even if they have never written a story themselves.
Bookings
The workshops will run on Friday mornings from 25 September to 13 November, 10.30am—12.30pm. The 8-week course fee is €125 payable to The Dock. You can call the Box Office at 071 965 0828 or book directly through the link below.
Gerry Boland
Gerry Boland is a poet, author, editor and mentor. He has published ten books (poetry, fiction, non-fiction) and has edited several magazines and anthologies, including two major literary anthologies for Roscommon County Council. He has wide experience of leading writing workshops in poetry, short fiction, and memoir, and for several years he has been offering a one-to-one mentoring service to writers.