How We Begin – Crafting the Opening Page

DE

How We Begin—Crafting the Opening Page
With Tsering Yangzom Lama

Saturday, October 3, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
In English
Free admission, limited seating—registration required (see below)

Middle Ground: Nepal Literature Festival offersthe opportunity to deepen your own writing practice intwo parallel workshopsand to exchange ideas with other authors on topics related to writing. In each two-hour session, the workshop leaders will focus on a specific topic of their own choosing. Participants are invited to take part in group discussions and, at the same time, reflect on their own writing. 

Regardless of the scope of a literary project—whether it’s a novel or a short story—the first page can seem more important than any subsequent page, as it often determines whether readers decide to continue reading the text. In this workshop, participants will examine and discuss the writing choices that captivate readers right from the start. Using various literary examples, workshop participants will explore how the first page sets readers’ expectations and how different approaches can generate suspense and interest. The workshop also includes playful writing exercises on various stylistic strategies, including characterization, narrative perspective, narrative style, setting, imagery, motif, and symbols—with opportunities to give and receive feedback. Participants will take away practical and intuitive approaches that they can try out at every stage of their writing journey.   

The workshop is open to participants of all ages and experience levels. 

Registration:Please send a writing sample of no more than 500 words in English or German tomiddleground@hkw.deby September 15, 2026, and include the title of the workshop in the subject line. Selected participants will be notified by the end of September. 

Part ofMiddle Ground: Nepal Literature Festival

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EN

How We Begin—Crafting the Opening Page
With Tsering Yangzom Lama

Saturday, October 3, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
In English
Free admission, limited space—registration required (see below)

Middle Ground: Nepal Literature Festivaloffers the opportunity to deepen one’s own writing practice and to exchange ideas with other authors about writing intwo parallel workshops. In these two-hour sessions, each workshop facilitator focuses on a specific, self-selected theme, inviting participants to contribute to group discussions while also engaging with their own writing. 

Regardless of the scope of a literary project—whether it’s a novel or a short story—the first page can feel more important than any subsequent page, as it often determines whether or not a reader will decide to continue reading the rest of the text. In this workshop, participants examine and discuss writing choices that can successfully draw readers in from the very beginning. By exploring a range of literary examples, workshop participants reflect on how the first page shapes the reader’s expectations and how different approaches can create tension and interest. The workshop also features playful writing exercises on various stylistic strategies, including characterization, point of view, narrative perspective, setting, imagery, stakes, and symbols—with opportunities to give and receive feedback. Participants will leave with practical and intuitive techniques to try at any stage of their writing journey. 

Participants of all ages and experience levels are invited to join.   

To register:Please submit a writing sample of no more than 500 words in English or German tomiddleground@hkw.de, indicating the name of the workshop in the subject line by September 15, 2026. Selected participants will be notified by the end of September.

Part ofMiddle Ground: Nepal Literature Festival