Short Story Workshop Groningen 

Note: If there are no more spots available, please email us (events@iwcn.nl). We will add you to the waiting list and contact you if someone cancels registration.

Do you seriously want to develop your creative writing talent? Are you keen to tackle the exciting challenge of writing an original short story from scratch that, when you have polished it, should end up good enough to get published? If this sounds like you, sign up for the Short Story Workshop, held by the IWCN Connect Writers Club.

This practical workshop is for seasoned writers and absolute beginners alike, with at least a B1/B2 level of English proficiency. The workshop will be led by Ragini Werner (Writers Club coordinator), a professional editor/translator and published author. Ragini’s short stories have appeared in the USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Her first novel Revealing Philippa is available on Kindle; her second novel Becoming Janice has been accepted for publication and will appear in early 2024 in both print and e-book formats.

Please note that by registering for the Short Story Workshop you commit to attending all five sessions. An added benefit of registration is that it means you join the Writers Club and gain access to our digital Forum – our private WhatsApp group and email list.

NB: Your contact details are never sold to third parties and, of course, you can always opt out. This group is ideal for those who can’t always attend Writers Club events yet want to stay connected with other writers.

The Short Story Workshop takes place in five two-hour sessions, spread over three months:

Session 1. October 18, 2023, 17.30–19.30
Introduction/Planning – basic story structure; writing techniques (show don’t tell)
Homework: write a plot outline for a new, original short story

Session 2. October 25, 2023, 19.30-21.30
Writing – review plot outlines; prepare 1st draft
Homework: write first draft (write for yourself, disconnect your inner critic)

Session 3. November 8, 2023, 19.30-21.30
Revision – review 1st draft; prepare revision – read aloud: reorder, remove, and rewrite
Homework: finetune your story in the 2nd draft (write for the reader)

Session 4. November 29, 2023, 19.30-21.30
Editing – review 2nd draft; prepare to edit the mechanics of writing
Homework: fix grammar, typos, formatting, etc.

Session 5. December 6, 2023, 19.30-21.30
Pre-publication – Celebration!
Present finished stories and prepare submissions for publication

Please register for the Short Story Workshop 24 hours in advance to ensure you will receive the confirmation email. Be sure to check your spam folder (and add emails from the IWCN to your whitelist). If this Workshop is fully booked, you can have your name placed on the waiting list for the next Workshop, planned for January – March 2024 by sending an email to events@iwcn.nl.

If you change your mind about attending these workshop sessions, please deregister using your IWCN Connect membership account. If you cannot attend any of the sessions, or if you have any questions, please send an email to events@iwcn.nl with the subject “Writers Club: Short Story Workshop”.