Page 88 - MBRF PR REPORT - December 2023

12/12/23, 11:05 AM Latest News

Dubai International Program for Writing wraps up

Children’s Literature Workshop in Kuwait

12/12/2023

Dubai, UAE, 11 December 2023- The Dubai International Program for Writing (DIPW), a flagship initiative of
the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), concluded the Children’s Literature
Workshop recently. The workshop, which took place at the TAQA Productions’ Studio in Kuwait and spanned

four months, included a series of training sessions steered by renowned author Hooda Shawa.
The workshop comprised two aspects: theoretical and practical. The theoretical component focused on the

principles of narrative writing, and the practical one comprised numerous exercises and activities centered
around Arabic and translated creative stories and texts. Furthermore, the sessions of the workshop were

based on extensive group and individual editing and reviews.
The workshop sessions concluded with six stories written by participants. The stories and authors are ‘Azef

the Risk-taker’ by Jehan Ali, ‘A Tiger in Diwaniyah’ by Sarah Abdul Hamid, ‘In the Neighbor’s Garden:
Trouble!’ by Nesma Sharif, ‘The Balloon with Eyes’ by Balqees Haider, ‘Bayoud’ by Fajr Sabah, and ‘Davdofa
Jumps out of Joy’ by Noura Dhaidan.

Commenting on the workshop, Shawa pointed out that the four-month workshop provided a collaborative
platform for a distinguished group of female authors to exhibit their passion for creative work and actual

content creation, all within a structured framework focused on developing creative texts. She further
highlighted that creative writing is an artistic skill that needs constant refinement and effort, just like any other
skill. Furthermore, Shawa shed light on the significance of gaining cognitive tools and techniques, which she

referred to as ‘tools in the box,’ to build a new narrative world in which participants explore and discover their
unique writing styles and voices.

Shawa stated that these resources include both theoretical and cognitive facets of choosing carefully and
artistically while crafting narratives. These choices comprise selecting the topic and title, finding the ideal

chronological structure for the text, choosing the appropriate pronoun formula, depicting characters
effectively, developing the plot or climax, and selecting a memorable and impactful ending. In addition, she

highlighted the relevance of effective storytelling as well as the best practices like integrating action verbs,
seamless transition between narration and dialogue, engaging the senses, and using techniques to create an
interactive and compelling narrative.

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