Psychology in Imaginative Writing: Developing Character’s Inner Worlds (Year 7-10)

Workshop Summary:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a common psychological framework that helps us analyse our behavior and circumstances to mitigate feelings of anxiety and distress. However, the foundations of these psychological frameworks can also be utilised in creative writing. By understanding how our mind works and reacts to situations, we can build believable characters and storylines, while developing self-understanding and awareness. 

This full-day workshop is designed to develop understanding of the human mind and psychology through a systematic and analytical approach as a means to enhance emotional literacy and creative writing skills involving abstract emotions and developing character internal conflict. Students will be guided to understand how the CBT framework works in analysing the relationship between one’s thoughts, behaviour, and emotions, as well as the wider social and historical context, and utilise the framework to systematically build a relatable and emotionally resonant story. 

Academic skills covered will include:

• Analysing character inner worlds are presented through literary techniques 

• Learning how to put abstract thought processes into climaxes in story  

• Understanding the connection between thought, emotions, behaviour within the greater social and historical context 

• Pacing a story for emotional development without losing audience engagement

Besides creative writing, other soft socio-emotional skills will also be nurtured:

• Self-awareness

• Socio-emotional fluency

• Abstract thinking

• Critical thinking  

• Empathy 

This workshop is targeted towards students in grades 7-10. It is highly suitable for  twice-exceptional students, especially those with autistic traits, but is also suitable for all gifted students who are interested in psychology and creative writing, or those who enjoy learning and acquiring structural knowledge yet struggle with expressing their understanding in creative contexts. 

NDIS participants:

If your child has a self-managed NDIS plan for autism, you may be able to claim the cost for this particular workshop, under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living. Please contact us after you have enrolled online, at info@lyceumcentre.com with your child’s full name and NDIS reference number for issuance of invoice. 

The workshop will be led by Ms Wong:

• Ms Wong was a high school English teacher and is a tutor and mentor for gifted students worldwide from countries including Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and the UK. More than a quarter of her current students are twice-exceptional students with either ADHD/ autism, or both. Ms Wong achieved first-class honours in her studies of English literature and linguistics in her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hong Kong, and graduated with a Masters Degree in Gifted Education from UNSW with excellence, as well as a Masters of Education (Research). Her research interests include twice-exceptionality and socio-emotional development of gifted students and has published her research in the Australasian Journal of Gifted Education. Ms Wong is also a volunteer mentor for Aurora College and is mentoring a regional student in publishing his own fiction.