13 – 20 October, 2012

Valerie’s course offers a fabulous opportunity to work with Australia’s Queen of Romance in creating your romantic hero and heroine. Where better than a romantic Fijian resort to share Valerie’s passion for romance in real life and in fiction, while you explore the secrets of romance writing.

Valerie is an enormously successful author and shares her expertise and her knowledge of writing generously. In this week, you will work closely with her in getting to grips with the essentials of romance writing, and receiving her constructive criticism and feedback. You’ll also discover the sheer joy of romance writing, where passion and drama are central and your own enjoyment of the story you create is an essential part of the process. She will be giving writing exercises to develop the lessons of the daily workshops. By the end of the week you should have a hero and heroine, a firm idea of the hurdles they face – and with any luck, a plan to deliver a powerful resolution.

Valerie will also discuss the business of selling your work, and will talk to you about approaching agents and publishers. Everyone knows it’s not easy – so you might as well learn from the best.
Above all, this will be a week of fun and companionship, and a chance to immerse yourself in your writing. Romance writing is just as much hard work as any form of writing – but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a marvellous time in the company of other writers as you share your passions, explore your characters, discuss their dreams and enjoy the beauties of Fiji.

Valerie Parv
Valerie is author of over 50 novels with sales of over 25 million internationally. She holds an MA in Creative Writing, and firmly believes everyone has a story to tell. Valerie held Australia’s first romance writing workshop in 1988, which led to the founding of Romance Writers of Australia, and she has been a member ever since.

In 1994 the State Library of New South Wales, Australia, began to acquire Valerie’s papers for their collection and continues to acquire material from her. “These papers detail the author’s career as one of Australia’s most successful writers in the romance genre and include manuscripts of her works and correspondence.” [The State Library Collection, Annual Report]

Valerie is the first Australian author to receive a Pioneer of Romance Award recognising her contributions to the field of romance writing. The award was presented to Valerie by Romantic Times Book Reviews Magazine at their annual Booklovers’ Convention in Los Angeles 2011

A qualified trainer and counsellor, Valerie conducts seminars and workshops on creativity and all aspects of the writing craft based on her best-selling guides for writers: Heart and Craft, (Allen & Unwin, 2009) How do I Love Thee (Valerie Parv editor, Allen & Unwin, December 2009) , The Art of Romance Writing (Allen & Unwin 1993, 2004) and The Idea Factory (Allen & Unwin 1995).

Valerie continues to write her page-turning novels because they affirm her belief in love and happy endings. As she says: “Love gives you wings, romance helps you fly”.

Daily programme
The course runs for 6 days, and includes workshops, local excursions and free time.

Day 1: Saturday 13 October
Fly to Fiji and on to Savusavu.
Arrive at Daku Resort : welcome ceremony and dinner.

Day 2: Sunday 14 October
9.00am – 12.00pm Workshop: Who are these people?
Finding the heart of your hero and heroine; what makes them who they are? Using your real-life experiences to create wonderful characters.
12.30pm: Lunch
Afternoon free
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Reading and feedback
7.00pm: Dinner

Day 3: Monday 15 October
9.00am – 12.00pm Workshop: Conflict in Paradise
Conflict is essential to a page-turning story. But what is and isn’t conflict? How do you identify and maintain conflict when your hero and heroine only have eyes for each other?
12.30pm: Lunch
Afternoon: visit to Savusavu town – wander round the market, have a fruit smoothie at a cafe overlooking the harbour, buy some local handicrafts, get a shirt made at the tailor’s.
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Reading and feedback
7.00pm: Dinner

Day 4: Tuesday 16 October
9.00am – 12.00pm: Workshop: Speak to me
Dialogue is a great way to show, rather than tell, your story. How you can use dialogue to give your characters their own unique voices so they share their story with us in their own words.
12.30pm: Lunch
Afternoon: Beach outing – when we’ll drive along the coast to a beach fringed by palms.
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Reading and feedback
7.00pm: Dinner

Day 5: Wednesday 17 October
9.00am – 12.00pm Workshop: Through their eyes
Call it viewpoint, point-of-view or POV, this is a romance writer’s most valuable tool. How to use viewpoint to bring your characters to life and transport readers into their world.
12.30pm: Lunch
2.00pm: Tapa (traditional bark cloth) making demonstration: one of our staff has kept the tradition alive. She learnt from her mother and has now taught her daughter; watch her as she decorates the cloth with paint made from mangrove roots.
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Reading and feedback
7.00pm: Dinner

Day 6: Thursday 18 October
9.00am – 12.00pm Workshop: Snakes and ladders
Avoiding plot holes and sagging middles. Organising your plot so it hooks readers from the first paragraph, and won’t let them put your book down until the very end.
12.30pm: Lunch
Free afternoon.
7.00pm: Dinner

Day 7: Friday 19 octber
9.00am – 12.00pm: Workshop: The writing life
What do editors want? Do you need an agent and how do you find one? The pitch: selling your work to an editor in one sentence, 2-paragraphs and a synopsis. Can you give up your day job?
12.30pm: Lunch
4.30pm – 5.30pm: Village visit and meke (traditional dance) – we visit a nearby village and then sit in the community hall for a wonderful display of dancing and singing.
Final dinner and readings and celebratory drinks

Day 8: Saturday 20 October
Return to Nadi and on to Australia.

Cost of course:
$2180 per person twin share
$350 single supplement

Program Includes

• Return domestic flight from Nadi to Savusavu.
• Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
• 7 nights accommodation at Daku Resort in traditional bures with private facilities.
• Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.
• Course fees.
• Lectures, excursions as indicated.

Program Excludes

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
• Optional activities not listed on the program
• Costs of a personal nature eg laundry, massages, private trips
• Meals taken in transit at the airport
• International flights to Fiji.  We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.