Edwina Shaw workshops

Need help with your project? — Need help with your writing?

NEED HELP WITH YOUR WRITING?

Whether you’re writing memoir, personal essays or autobiographical fiction this affordable 6 week comprehensive introduction to the craft of writing from life has you covered. From putting the ‘me’ into memoir, to using the techniques of fiction to create a compelling narrative from your life experiences, this course provides all the craft knowledge and practice you need to create moving and meaningful stories.

Get those stories out of your head and onto the page. Free yourself from the repeat cycle of long-held dramas replaying and get words on paper. Watch your writing grow from anecdotes to fully formed narratives. Create meaning from your experiences and shape your stories into publishable works of art.

SIX WEEK ONLINE COURSE TO HELP YOU GET GOING!

This 6 week course starting in January 2026, facilitated by award winning author and experienced writing teacher, Edwina Shaw (that’s me 🙂 ), will provide you with all the tools you need to make your writing sing. Connect with other writers on the same journey and share work in small feedback groups during the course. The course fee also includes professional feedback on your writing from Edwina.

WRITING FROM LIFE ONLINE COURSE OUTLINE

This affordable, fun and interactive online course will be held using ZOOM and runs on Monday evenings from Monday January 12 until Monday February 16, 6 pm until 7:30 pm.

Classes will be recorded and sent to all participants if you have to miss one, but you’ll get the most out of the course by attending live.

Don’t wear yourself out! Join us and learn some tricks and tips to make writing your story easy!

WEEK 1: Monday, January 12, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Anecdote VS Story – What is Life Writing? What makes a story? What stories do you want/need to tell? Autobiography VS Memoir. Memoir VS Autobiographical Fiction. Create meaning from the stories in your life and shape them to build compelling narratives.

WEEK 2: Monday January 19, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Putting the ME in MEMOIR – All life writing requires you to step up as the main character. How do you put yourself into the story? Previous You and Wise You Now, making sense of experiences and creating meaning. Techniques and tricks to help you write about yourself without going mad.

Will I Ever Be Who I Am? by Gay Liddington — *Will I Ever Be Who I Am?* by Gay Liddington – see your story become the book you’ve dreamt of, just like Gay did!

WEEK 3: Monday January 26, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Writing in Scenes – Use the techniques of fiction and write in scenes using setting, characters, conflict and dialogue to make your reader experience the past with you. Don’t just tell them about it, show them. How? By writing in scenes. A step by step guide to creating scenes that work.

SUBMIT a short scene to 500 words for feedback from Edwina

WEEK 4: Monday February 2, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Characters in Life Writing – How do you write about real people? Carefully! Compassion is key. We’ll cover the ethics of memoir and how to create composite characters from the cast of thousands in your life. Using specific sensory details to develop characters quickly.

WEEK 5: Monday February 9, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Setting and Dialogue in Life Writing – Where and when is your story set? How can you use these settings to add depth and conflict? Use dialogue to bring your scenes to life. Differentiate each character through their words. Actions versus what they say. Techniques for effective dialogue, plus formatting tips.

Where could following this path lead you?

WEEK 6: Monday February 16, 6pm – 7:30 pm

Structuring your story. Find the central quest or question of your story and shape your narrative around it. Learn about the importance of secrets and suspense to keep your reader engaged. Use structure to manipulate the events of your life to make it compelling reading. Plus Publishing Pathways for Life Writing.

SUBMIT a short memoir piece/essay/or chapter to 1500 words for feedback from Edwina.

The course will include weekly reading tasks, worksheets, homework exercises and interaction with others in small feedback groups (optional). The online sessions will be live, starting at 6 pm on Monday nights and will include writing exercises, information sharing and Q & A. You’ll have Edwina on tap so ask away!

REVIEWS FROM THE LAST ONLINE COURSE (now available to purchase as recordings only)

“Edwina, thank you for your course. So simple and yet so full of wisdom, guidance and learning.”

Ian Minns – course participant 2023

“EDWINA is a great teacher of the craft of writing. Her style is a gentle approach and always enthusiastic, encouraging the students along, affirming and inspiring. The subject matter in this recent set of workshops is full to the brim of useful information to make the writer’s task that much easier and self-aware of their style. Ed is generous with her knowledge and eager to share. I recommend doing Edwina’s workshops if you are starting out or you just need a kick-start to get all fired up and enthusiastic about your already started projects, sitting gathering dust! Well worthwhile.”

Kerry Parkes – Course Participant 2023

COST for this comprehensive introduction to the craft of writing from life?

6 LIVE ONLINE classes, each 1.5 hours (exclusive content recordings available to keep and refer to) including handouts, readings and helpful links.

Feedback on two pieces of writing.

Small feedback groups (optional)

$300

All for only $300!! Yes, not thousands, just $300 to make a start on your dream of putting your stories on the page at last. I know finding money to spend on yourself can be tricky, which is why I aim to make my retreats and courses as affordable as possible.

Places are strictly limited to 15, so book now to avoid disappointment.

BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE

Payment plans are available for those not so flash with cash. CONTACT ME and we’ll work something out.

Join me to start 2026 with a BANG! Let’s get this Life Writing party started and help you get those stories out of your head and onto the bookshelves!

Any questions? Just ask. Drop me a line.

Lots of love,

Edwina xx

Yvonne, Cindy and Annie enjoying a moonlit boat ride to send their lantern wishes into the river.

Hooray! In February we’re returning to heavenly Hoi An as the Vietnamese new year begins with a weeklong yoga and writing retreat on the river, surrounded by rice fields. Escape the worst of the southern summer and northern winter in the pleasantly balmy weather of the Vietnamese cool season. Join a group of like-minded creative folk and explore the craft of writing in daily workshops by experienced authors with decades of experience teaching the essential skills of narrative.

We had such a wonderful time in Vietnam last year at our inaugural Heavenly Hoi A writing holiday! Some of our guests created their own special writers group and are still connecting to share work regularly. That’s what I love about these retreats, helping writers connect with others on the same path! Writing can be a lonely business, with more than it’s share of criticism and rejection too, having a supportive tribe of fellow writers makes it all so much more fun!

Are you longing to connect with other writers?

Have you always wanted to visit Vietnam, but don’t want to do it on your own?

Are you searching for ways to make your writing more powerful?

Would you love to learn more about the craft of writing?

Relax with daily yoga and breathing, deeply relax and release the stories that have been stuck in your head for way too long. Isn’t it time you treated yourself to the writing holiday of your dreams?

JOIN Kerstin and Edwina, published authors and experienced retreat facilitators, university educators and yoga teachers for a week of yoga, writing, feasting and fun in beautiful Hoi An.

6 nights/7 days — February 10-16, 2025.

EARLY BIRD ends September 30

Have you always wanted to write but never have the time, motivation or courage to seriously commit to your dream?

Need guidance getting started, setting goals, or finishing a draft?

Want to learn about the essentials of the craft of writing (ie. plot, character, form, narrative drive, pathways to publication)?

Yearn to reconnect with your creativity and your body in the vibrant yet tranquil environment of Hoi An, Vietnam?

Join us for six nights and seven wonderful writing days, February 10 – 16, 2025.

EARLY BIRD to September 30!

The time around TET, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a special time of the year when the streets are filled with flowers.

Imagine unlimited writing time
Imagine finally getting the stories out of our head and onto the page
Imagine the joy of deep creative connection.

The retreat is held at beautiful An Villa, and Anicca Villa around the road, both small, boutique resorts on the banks of the Thu Bon river. You’ll love the overwater yoga deck.

This retreat is for anybody who yearns to creatively reconnect and who is in need of some nurturing and TLC for their creative spirits.

Whether you have an established writing practice
or have always wanted to write but never had the time, this retreat led by experienced and knowledgeable, fun and friendly hosts, may just be what the doctor has ordered.

To make this a stress-free writing holiday for you, we’ve created an all-inclusive package:

daily writing workshops with TWO experienced writing teachers & published authors

1:1 feedback on your writing

daily gentle morning yoga

your personal tarot reading

daily pranayama (breathwork) sessions and evening meditation

5 nights accommodation in 4 star riverfront boutique resort

all meals, prepared with loving care, following traditional recipes

PLUS A CULTURAL EXCURSION!

authentic Vietnamese cooking class and feast

All activities are optional, so if you’d rather skip morning yoga and sleep in, or just want to focus on writing in your room and miss a workshop or two, that’s fine.

Plans are also afoot for onward travel for participants keen on exploring more but not on their own.

Private rooms start at AUD $3050 (all prices in Australian dollars) PRICES INCLUDE ALL MEALS AND ALL ACTIVITIES including a tarot reading, one on one feedback and plenty of time with the teachers to ask every writing question you’ve ever thought of!

EARLY BIRD PRICES END SOON! Don’t miss out on this affordable international retreat which will renew your body, mind and creative spirit.

“I feel renewed as a writer, and as a human being.” Bianca Millroy, past retreat participant.

“So much more than a writing retreat!” Vicki Bennett, Author of THE BOOK OF HOPE and over 40 published titles.

For more info and to book your place, visit here. New Transformational Writing Retreat website coming soon!! Keep your eyes peeled for special opening bargains!

To get a good idea of what life’s like on retreat see my rundown on this year’s retreat – we had so much fun!

You don’t have to slog it out on your own, join your tribe of fellow creative spirits, learn the craft of writing, stretch and release stories from your body with yoga, and explore the beauty and wonder of Vietnam with us! We always have a wonderful time.

So hope you can join us in 2025! Free your creative spirit and inner explorer and put yourself at the top of your to do list for once!

Lots of love

Edwina 🙂 xx