Method Writing Ireland
Learning what 'cannot be taught'
Method Writing provides concrete tools for training skills that are traditionally thought of as mysterious or 'unteachable'.The uniqueness of a writer's voice, characters that feel real, generating material that surprises you, writing that moves an audience to tears...It's not about structure. Structure helps, and is a powerful field of study, but this is something else.How do you get better at these things? Even if you're strong at them, how do you improve?'Read a lot and write a lot' is no substitute for deliberate practice.Method Writing gives you a way to deliberately practise the intuitive side of your craft.
'Method Writing will make you a better writer,
and that's the point.'
- Helen Hunt
All students guaranteed publication in
Method Writer's Speak
In these classes you will:
Never run out of things to write about learn a repeatable system for generating new material
Access more emotionally resonant writing without waiting for inspiration
Discover what is distinctive about your voice including the things that work precisely because they break conventional writing 'rules'
Make intuitive skills conscious and controllable, including techniques for tonal variety and the manipulation of psychological time
Generate a substantial body of new work over seven weeks
Receive professional feedback on your writing, alongside feedback from a small group of fellow writers
Publish a piece in Method Writers Speak, an international print journal
Classes led by Dr Adam Cullen, professional screenwriter, composer, and authorised Method Writing teacher
What is Method Writing?
Method Writing takes its name from Method Acting, specifically in its preference for using technique to discover material. It is a 'words-first' system of specific, actionable practices that help you generate material and communicate it in your unique, authentic voice.It has evolved over the last four decades into a robust, flexible system and the core text, Method Writing: The First Four Concepts, is now in its 11th edition.
Who is Method Writing for?
Novelists & Graphic Novelists
Short story writers
Memoirists
Songwriters
Poets
Playwrights
Screenwriters
Actors
It truly is a technique for all levels of writers. The ideas are not complicated, but they are under-exposed. As such, you won't be inundated with material you've already gotten from regular writing groups, creative writing courses, or writing books.I learned of these techniques when I was already a professional writer and I couldn't believe I had been struggling for years without them.If you are new to writing, this is a perfect place to pick up good habits. Experienced discover gaps in their technique, new ways to access their best work, gain help overcoming perfectionism, crucial insight into strengths and weaknesses they did not know they had, and have a class experience that is an antidote to burnout.I've taken many writing classes on structure and many writing classes on the more intuitive side of writing. The latter have typically been weaker, relying on 'just going for it' and hoping that something comes out. There is truth to that. There is no guarantee that anything will happen when you sit down to right. And there is skill in learning to be okay with that. At the same time, there are things you can do to increase your chances of turning something as mundane as 'Artist Pages' (re: The Artist's Way) into publishable work.
The Core Text
Method Writing: The First Four Concepts, 11th edition is required reading for the class. (Should you elect for further study, there is a second book which covers several levels. Don't worry, you won't have to buy a million books. Although that sounds kind of fun.)
Get Published!
Part of the study is overcoming perfectionism. You will be invited to publish a piece from your coursework in Method Writers Speak, an international print journal.
How the Course Works
Structure
1 class per week for 7 weeks
c.2 hours
5-10 students
Weekly reading assignment and writing exercises
Share ~500 words with the class
Feedback from the group
This is not a class that will kick your ass. The atmosphere is warm and supportive, and it’s a great place to get experience reading in front of people, if you’re not used to that.
Your assignments are treated as first drafts and received with respect.Feedback will fall into two categories. The content of what you managed to write or the way you wrote it, and the execution of the technique assigned. We can appreciate what you've made, and still be critical of mistakes in the execution of a technique.
'Method Writing is a brilliant lesson in staying true to one's voice, and the core of the teaching has made me passionate about acting as well.'
- Laura Dern
About Adam
Adam Cullen is a professional writer based in Ireland and an authorised Method Writing teacher.He has over ten years’ experience writing for screen, with work produced and broadcast internationally. His credits include projects such as Joy Eternal, Oddbods and Republic of Telly, and he is the winner of the North-Kildare Film Fund for his animated short, Talker.Alongside his writing practice, he has worked as a story consultant and studied story structure extensively with cutting-edge teachers in the field.His background also includes a PhD in classical music composition, as well as experience in live performance as a stand-up comedian, spoken word artist, and singer-songwriter.He regularly applies Method Writing techniques in his own work across prose, screenwriting, and songwriting.I feel lucky that I stumbled across the courses I took. I've been a professional writer for years, but I never stopped looking for more and better techniques.
I think of writing as having five main parts. There is the emotional heart of what you are doing that makes it you and your own. There is structure and the seemingly infinite elements of craft. There is how you contextualise your work and, therefore, how you know how to sell yourself. There is the ability to keep writing when you absolutely don't want to. And there is the sharing of your work, because perfectionism robs the world of experiencing all that beautiful effort you've gone to.Adam has worked with:
What writers say about Adam:
Adam's grasp of theme and character motivation were a great help to me as I developed the pilot for my latest project... It really feels like he's supercharged my pilot script. Highly recommended.
— Cian McGarrigle | Head Writer at Cartoon Saloon (Kilkenny)'(Adam) has a rare ability to see possibilities in a story you might never have considered yourself. He is thoughtful, generous and incredibly encouraging, and somehow manages to challenge you without ever leaving you disheartened. Every session left me feeling excited, inspired and seeing my work in a completely new way.'
— Tania Notaro | Award-Winning Writer, Actor, Director (Lisa Richards Agency, Dublin)'You help me see more things than I was aware of in the pieces I write. Your comments are always so perceptive.'
— Lindsay | Method Writing Student (LA class)'Wow, Adam. You found a bunch of threads. I don't know how you could write it all down or remember it all.'
— Jack Grapes | Creator of Method Writing
Pricing
I don't know yet. This is a period of experimentation. I'm trying to gauge the optimal class size and time commitment required from me to give everyone the support they deserve. This impacts finding a price that respects what is on offer and has some awareness of the cost of living crisis.The first classes will experiment with these parameters. As such, they will be offered at a discounted 'Founder's Member' rate.Get in touch soon, and you'll be offered a Founder's Member price.