MASTERCLASS IN MYTHOLOGY FICTION WITH ANAND NEELAKANTAN

• Storytelling through the Ramayana
• Research Methodology
• Setting a writer’s routine
• Process of publishing
• Editing
• Character building guidance using the Natyashastra
• Basics of Rasa theory in novel writing
• Individual guidance
• Assignments and personal feedback

• Double occupancy in a deluxe room – Rs. 25,000/- per participant
• Single occupancy in a deluxe room – Rs. 30,000/- per participant

• Accommodation
• Morning Tea/Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee, Snack and Dinner
• One Morning Tea Estate Walk, One morning Yoga session
• Evening campfire (weather permitting)
• All applicable taxes

• Travel to and from the resort
• Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

First Day Morning Session-

On the first day, the session will start in the morning as orientation. It will be a time to know each participant and what they aspire to write.

First Day Afternoon Session-Session on the power of an idea

How to see whether the idea is worth exploring, and what format of storytelling is best suited for that idea. The difference between a short story, novella, novel, play etc will be discussed.

Though this workshop is more for Novel writers, a brief introduction to whether the idea will work as a film or an OTT show or a short film will be discussed. The discussion would continue over a campfire on various forms of storytelling.

Each participant will be asked to revisit their idea and mull over it to identify the best storytelling format suited for their idea. This first day is to know oneself and one’s story.

Second Day Morning Session-

The second day morning will start with a morning walk in the Tea estate (weather permitting). This will be again a revisit of the previous day’s session and an analysis of each person’s story to identify the correct format.

Since this is a Novel writing session, the stress will be on what is to be done if a participant’s story is more suitable for some other format of storytelling.

1. The essential parameters of the Novel.
2. Identify which method works best for you.
3. The advantages and disadvantages of plotting and pantsing.
4. Plotting using Ramayana- why the epic is a perfect example of how a best seller and how to use its technique to plot your novel.

Second-Day Afternoon Session-

1. Character-How to develop characters-Karmatheory-using Mahabharata as an example
2. Setting- How to write the setting of the Novel – use of five senses, five elements of nature
3. Editing/revision.

Second day Evening session-Assignment/homework.

Third-Day Early Morning- Yoga Session/ Meditation-

Third-Day Morning Session-Rasa theory

1. How to use Rasa to bring life to your story.
2. How to plot each chapter.
3. Checklist for editing.
4. Process of publishing and pitfalls to watch out for.
5. Marketing- what to do and what not to do.

Third-Day Afternoon Session-

1. Setting the routine as a writer, what to do and what not to do.
2. How to be focused and productive.
3. How to bring variety and individuality to your writing.

Third-Day Evening Session Over a Campfire

1. Assignment group assessment and discussion.
2. Analysis using Ramayana and Mahabharata,
3. Popular films and stories.

Doubt clearance session/ conclusion/ long term assignment.