Writing with fire

A glimpse of the 2019 retreat

Tall Tales puts out a statement and question, saying, "Everyone has at least one great story. What's yours?" The line is well-crafted to avoid the meaning that everyone has a grand life experience from which they can draw a page-turner. What about the regular folk with nine to fives and weekend chore lists? We're not suggesting not taking inspiration from daily life and writing what you know, or keenly pondering on the seemingly mundane questions and interactions you come across. But maybe regular life is hard to get a story from because we need to exercise key skills like imagination, creative writing, and patience along with the technical know-how of storytelling. Of course, Tall Tales does not leave us hanging at the question they pose. They help you bring that story out into the world with their two-day flagship story writing workshop called Story Fire - How to Write Unforgettable Stories.

Michael Burns and Akshay Gajria

The workshop gets into the technicalities of writing a story before launching into its various elements. Day one starts from the beginning, with ‘What is a story in the first place?' weeding out its meaning from a poem, essay, image, moment or ‘anything one finds interesting' to get to the blueprint. Founder and co-director, Michael Burns explains that it is only when we understand the details of story structure that we can start to build a story. Co-director Akshay Gajria continues, "[This understanding] is essential to utilise it in any format be it a script, a play, a short story, a memoir or a novel." Day two, "discusses structural components like scenes, environment, dialogue, character, sentence structure, opening, closing, catharsis, and revelation that make a story technically sound and also unforgettable,"
Burns explains.

Gajria emphasises the importance of a writing community where one can share journeys, viewpoints, and stories. "While writing has always been painted as a lonely journey, it need not be. Having people who are learning how to write as a community around you helps propel you forward."

On: April 2 and 3 at 9 am to 3 pm
At: Doolally Taproom, Khar
Log on to: allevents.in
Cost: Rs 3,000 onwards