This 90-minute workshop run by Kenneth Chapman, author of Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove, is for rangatahi aged 14-18 and focuses on the role of tone, mood and atmosphere in creative writing.
Participants will examine how writers use language, imagery, sensory detail, setting and word choice to create mood and shape a reader's experience of a text.
The workshop is designed to recognise and build on existing writing skills. Teens who engage in storytelling, journaling, poetry, fan-fiction, or other forms of written expression can draw on their existing knowledge and experiences while developing new techniques and approaches.
Through discussion, analysis of examples, and guided writing activities, participants will explore practical tools for creating effective tone and atmosphere in their own work. The workshop aims to support the development of creative writing skills, critical thinking and confidence in experimenting with different writing styles and techniques.
About the author/facilitator:
Kenneth Chapman is a Sāmoan/Chinese/Pākehā writer based in Tāmaki Makaurau. He is the 8th child out of 10 and first started writing screenplays as a teenager before transitioning to writing books. He has been a filmmaker, nanny, private tutor, sports coach and Girl Guides leader. He now teaches English at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, and the children and teens he's worked with have been a huge inspiration for his stories. Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove is his bestselling debut novel for children.
What age group is this workshop suitable for?
Open to ages 14-18 years.
Parking:
Free 120-minute parking is available in the car parks surrounding the library.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is stop 8845 outside Three Kings Shops. See AT's Journey Planner for route details.
Accessibility:
Mobility parking is available at the front entrance of the library. The library also has automatic doors and an accessible toilet.
This event is presented by Auckland Council Libraries as part of We Read Auckland / Ka Pānui Tātou i Tāmaki Makaurau.