Our beginners writing courses

Courses and details

WRITING FROM LIFE: JOURNEYS FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Date: 17/10/2011 - 21/10/2011

Tutor: Helena Drysdale (view biog)

Guest Speaker: Dereck John

This course examines the whole scope of writing from our own personal experience, using that as the spark to ignite works of both fiction and non-fiction. Workshops will focus on how to create an engaging narrator, and explore openings, voice, memories, character description, place and dialogue, as well as how to avoid the pitfalls. Are there any subjects that are out of bounds?

THE ART OF WRITING FICTION – HOW TO START AND HOW TO KEEP GOING.

Date: 08/11/2010 - 12/11/2010

Tutor: Sam North (view biog)

Guest Speaker: Jim Crace

The course, which will suit beginners as well as more experienced writers, will explore the large-scale challenges of writing a novel: how to create and develop a story, how to engineer ‘traction,’ how to write characters, and evoke feeling. It will then narrow its focus to look at the creation of the ‘voice’ of a novel, and prose style.

STARTING TO WRITE- HOW TO MAKE THINGS UP

Date: 05/12/2011 - 09/12/2011

Tutor: James Runcie (view biog)

Guest Speaker : Andrew Miller

Whether you want to write a full length novel, a short story, a romance, or an ingenious thriller, this practical course will give you the tips and techniques you need. No matter what stage you are at (Don’t know where to begin? Stuck in the middle? Not sure what to do next ?) James Runcie will be on hand to help kick-start your writing in this stimulating and supportive course. Simple practical exercises and one to one tuition will give you guidance and encouragement both to get going and to keep on writing - no matter what you want to do.

HOOKING REALITY: CREATIVE NON-FICTION

Date: 09/01/2012 - 13/01/2012

Tutor: Julian Evans (view biog)

Guest Speaker: Polly Devlin

How do you write about reality? Capture real characters, significant events, the spirit of a place, the meaning of experience? Focusing on the creative portrayal of reality, whether in history, travel, biography, memoir, or an inspired hybrid of genres, Julian Evans will guide you through the writing choices you need to make. In workshops and one-to-one sessions he will help you to establish your own perspective and your own ways of seeing and writing, whatever stage you’ve reached, or if you’re simply wondering where to start.