Online Workshop: Writing Cultural History with Luke Stegemann

How do we begin to bring to life, to interpret and make cultural sense of the past?

It can be difficult enough, as writers, to interpret the present and know the meaning of things around us. How then do we begin to bring to life, to interpret and make cultural sense of the past?

Cultural history is a broad and increasingly popular genre, asking us to explore where our social, cultural and intellectual traditions come from. Why do we believe what we do, and how do those beliefs affect the way we lead our modern lives, conduct our professional and personal relationships, and interact meaningfully with a complex world?

This practical workshop will encourage emerging writers to think about their craft, examine their possible biases and consider the ethics of making judgements on past lives, as part of a broader appreciation of the requirements of writing cultural history.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the nature and challenges of writing cultural history
• Workshop techniques for bringing the past to life in compelling prose
• Consider the ethics of history and the interpretation of human behaviour
• Consider the use and interpretation of source documents
• Engage in real-time cultural history writing exercises.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This workshop is hosted by Queensland Writers Centre and is being offered free of charge to a limited number of Fraser Coast Libraries members only.

If you find you are unable to attend the workshop, please either let us know, or delete your booking, so that someone else may be able to attend.

This is a hybrid workshop with a focus on craft; it will be held in-person at Queensland Writers Centre and live streamed simultaneously to an online audience. It is a level 2 course for emerging writers but is suitable for writers of all levels.

Once you have registered you will receive login information to access the workshop, prior to the date of the workshop.

If you are unsure of how to access/use this technology, please contact the team at Fraser Coast Libraries at programsandengagemnet@frasercoast.qld.gov.au for assistance.

ABOUT LUKE:

Luke Stegemann is a writer and cultural historian based in southeast Queensland. He has written on art, politics and history for a wide range of Australian and Spanish publications. Luke is the author of The Beautiful Obscure (2017) and Amnesia Road: Landscape, Violence and Memory (2021). This work won the 2021 QLA Non-Fiction award, the NIB Literary Award and was a runner-up in the NSW Premier’s Prize for Australian History. In 2018, Luke received the Premio Malaspina in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to the development of cultural relations between Australia and Spain’.

FAQs - ONLINE EVENTS

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Unless otherwise stated, Queensland Writers Centre workshops and events are suitable for participants aged 16 years and over. If you are under 18 years of age, please check for suitability.

Can I ask the instructor questions as a live stream viewer?

QWC will have a live stream facilitator monitoring the chat section, so if there is a recurring question being asked, the facilitator will ask the instructor on the viewers' behalf. Naturally, the instructor will also provide time to answer such questions; however, depending on the number of live stream viewers, for the tutor to answer everyone's question within the time allocated can be a challenge, so please understand.

How should I prepare for the event?

We suggest having either a pen and paper or electronic note-taking device as you watch the live stream.

How do I access the event?

Fraser Coast Libraries will contact you to confirm your attendance and to provide you with your unique link to the live stream.

Can I playback the live stream after the event has happened?

Yes! You will have access to the live stream for seven days after the event. If you are watching the playback after the live stream, please keep in mind that you won't be able to use the chat feature and ask questions to the presenter. For the best experience, we highly recommend watching live. After seven days your access will be revoked.

What am I allowed to say in the group chat?

The group chat is a fantastic way to interact and collaborate with other online participants, the QWC live stream facilitator, and the presenter. We expect members to be courteous and respectful in the group chat. The same behaviour you would conduct yourself in person at a QWC event is expected online. The QWC live stream facilitator will ban any participants who don't abide by these rules so other participants can enjoy the event.

How do I improve the video quality of my live stream?

Every live stream is broadcasted in high definition. To watch the live stream in the best quality, select the gear icon in the bottom left of the video and select the highest possible resolution (in most cases this is 720p).

What internet browser should I use?

Our live stream provider, Crowdcast, recommends using Google Chrome to watch the live stream. However, the live stream does support Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari.