We’re so close to the end! Time to start thinking about revisions, big-picture editing and polishing your writing projects. On the NSW Writers’ Centre blog The Art of Revision post gives you a great sense of why revision is important, and should be treated as more than the drudgery at the end of the fun stuff. This post offers four simple techniques to help you approach editing and proofreading. Author Holly Lisle has this excellent piece on how she goes about revising a book after finishing the first draft, and here a bunch of writers give their perspectives on how (and when) to revise.

Opportunities and Events

Playwrights, applications are now open for the Fresh Ink National Studio this program is an incredibly generous one, with outstanding opportunity to hone your craft and take it to the next level. You can apply from anywhere around Australia. Previous participants include Lally Katz and Philip Kavanagh, and the retreat takes place over 6 days.

For a fun challenge, why not enter the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, where you can compete by composing the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. That’s right, the worst opening sentence you can conceive of. The contest has a rich history, and offers the much sought-after reward of a pittance. Entries close June 30.

Birdwords are running a zine making workshop in South Australia on July 9, 11am to 3pm with lunch provided, at the Glandore Community Centre. Contact coveyouthservice@marion.sa.gov.au to book a place.

Open Channel are seeking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under 20, or who don’t already possess a qualification at certificate III level or higher who are interested in learning filmmaking skills. Fully funded places are available for 8+ people, preferably people located in Melbourne but potentially appropriate for those in regional areas. Contact Daniel Schultheis on 0430 026 575 or training@openchannel.org.au

I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter – James Michener 

Tell us what your part of the writing process you find most daunting…

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