It takes place on four Saturday afternoons in the VIP Room at Artscape Centre on July 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 2pm until 5pm on each day.

Hosted by the Artscape Resource Centre, the Find your voice as a writer workshop takes writers through the writing process, from the inception of an idea, to selecting the right medium for your story. It empowers writers to make the right choices and take ownership of their writing; master the craft of writing for different mediums (from articles to short stories, from novels to plays and films); develop an understanding of what and who you are writing about; and how to change chaos into completed projects that is publisher-and-producer friendly.

The guest speaker is Rayda Jacobs, who wrote ‘Confessions of a Gambler' and whose memoir ‘Masquerade' was published recently. She will talk about what it takes to be writer and how to get your work published in South Africa.

The workshop empowers writers to make the most of their creative talent and sharpen their skills. Topics under discussion are exploring the world of ideas; finding your voice as a writer; the discipline of writing; the art of adaptation; structure and research; protecting your writing; and marketing and selling yourself.

The workshop is ideal for anyone who needs a jump start and take that step forward in writing creatively; during the workshop you will have the opportunity to write a short story and get positive feedback through practical and motivational exercises.

The workshop is ideal for writers who want to experiment with their creativity and explore different mediums of writing, turning thoughts into action and dreams into reality.

During the workshop the writers will look at how to take ideas and turn it into stories, exploring ideas to its full dramatic potential, bringing characters to life, and how to tame the writing process and creative instinct.

The workshop also looks at how to sell and market your writing skills, and how to empower yourself as a freelance writer.

The workshop is presented by Daniel E. Dercksen, who has done more than 250 practical and motivational workshops in creative writing and scriptwriting throughout South Africa during the past years; including a Master Class for Screenwriters for the Talent Campus at the Sithengi Film and TV Market in Cape Town in November 2006; he facilitated a ‘Directing Actors' workshop with acclaimed actor Eriq Ebouaney; and does regular outreach workshops at the Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in Kwa Mashu, KwaZulu Natal.

As a published playwright, writer and movie journalist, Daniel is a qualified ETD Practitioner (Education, Training and Development), accredited by SAQA (The South African Qualifications Authority), working in accordance with the principles of the Department of Education and focusing on outcomes-based education, training and development, and has been involved in movie journalism for more than 20 years. As founder of The Writing Studio and webmaster of its website, and as a published movie journalist, with more than 22 years experience, he writes regular interviews and features on a freelance basis for the trade magazine Screen Africa, as well as newspapers and magazines in South Africa.

“Unlike some writing courses, this course is immensely practical. It equips the beginner with skills and a sense of what is necessary to write (beyond mere talent!),” says Ingrid-Meintjie Moakes, who attend the last workshop. “This course enables one to connect with others exploring the same process, which ultimately allows one to be more free, more confident, and more able to overcome all the insecurities which stand in the way of one's writing ambitions. To be taught by someone who makes a living from the craft is the most valuable aspect of this course.”

Venue

Date: 05 July 2008 to 26 July 2008
Location: VIP room, Artscape Theatre Centre, Cape Town
Cost: R800 with a discounted rate of R600 for students

Contact: Daniel Dercksen
Company name: The Writing Studio
Telephone number: 072 474 1079 or 021 425 5355 (office hours)
Email address daniel@writingstudio.co.za