People’s lives and stories do not take place in a vacuum. They take place in particular circumstances of personal, social, political and economic contexts. Crafting accuracy in terms of time and place and authenticity in narrative voice, therefore requires fiction writers to undertake research.

This workshop will focus on the role of research in the writing of fiction. It will help you to understand the mechanics of the research process in identifying areas for investigation, gathering, interpreting and synthesising information; and representing it in ‘fiction format’. The workshop will also consider how your values and perspectives as a researcher impact on research, and the constructed nature of reality, facts and history.

Issues relating to research ethics will also be explored specifically in relation to the responsibility of the researcher to work with integrity and respect for subjects and material.

The workshop will be organised around library/internet searches, co-participant interviewing, writing exercises, group discussion, examples of work presented by participants, and workshop-based feedback.