Private Sessions

Skills & knowledge

Workshops & Coaching

Private Sessions

Our workshops include a mix of theory, video clips, and practical exercises all designed to give delegates an understanding of how storytelling techniques can be harnessed in a business environment. The objectives of the workshops are to ensure that delegates are able to understand the basic tenets of story structure and storytelling, and to inspire delegates to use these building blocks in work.

Modules we cover include theory, genre and narrative, and more.

Module

Theory

Humans & Stories

We’ll look at why humans are so fascinated by stories, the biological reactions that occur in our brains when we engage with a story, and what happens when characters we care about are threatened.

How a Story Is Structured

We’ll analyse why the structural building blocks of storytelling are crucial, and why this structure is more of a science than an art.

Rhetoric & Oratory

The techniques used in speech making date back as far as Cicero and Aristotle and they remain largely unchanged to this day. We’ll explore the art and science of a great speech, looking at examples from fiction and non-fiction.

Module

Genre & Narrative

Gothic – The Dark Arts

In this session we’ll explore tortured souls, mad scientists, old dark mansions, Princes and Princesses of Darkness, monsters, vampires, and of course, the living dead. We’ll look at just how much fiction writers have borrowed from Gothic works and how the key components of the genre keep cropping up. For example, the “old dark mansion” is Elsinore from Hamlet, Manderley from Rebecca, Castle Black from Game of Thrones, and of course, Castle Dracula from Bram Stoker’s classic novel.

The Political Thriller

In this session we’ll be looking at a classic – the political thriller. Walking down corridors, secret meetings in underground car parks, and good old-fashioned journalism – the political thriller is full of them so join us as we take a look at one of the most enduring genres out there. Exploring a selection of political thrillers from literature, film, and television, we will look at what writers can learn from these stories.

The Art of the Bluff

What writers can learn from poker.
Yes, you read that right. Poker. In a way it’s the perfect narrative and it has got all the elements that writers need to tell a great story. In this session you’ll explore the narrative that surrounds bluff, chance, jeopardy, character, and non-verbal dialogue.

Mental Health

From Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs Dalloway” to “Silver Linings Playbook”, there have been many portrayals of mental health issues across literature and the silver screen. When they work, they can help change perceptions. When they don’t, they can reinforce unhelpful stereotypes. In this session we look at portrayals of characters with mental health issues from a host of different sources and see what writers can learn from them.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who is this for?

Are you a private members club looking to add to event portfolio? Or you might be a business looking to harness the creative power of storytelling. A local book club looking to take your first steps as writers? Or are you a writer looking for a private secure space to develop your writing without others? Then this is for you.

Because stories don’t just entertain – they can educate, communicate important messages, and allow organisations and managers to be more “human”.

How do private virtual workshops work?

We can be with you anywhere in the world. Via zoom, we deliver workshops / coaching to as many people as you can fit on the screen. After the session, which includes time for a Q&A, you’ll receive notes and an opportunity to ask any follow up questions.