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Creative Writing for Beginners (Saturdays)

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course
  • Course Fee:

    £435

    *
  • Start Date(s): 7 October 2023 / 20 January 2024
  • Duration: Saturdays 10 am - 12.30 pm, ten weeks (autumn course: no course session 28 October, 9 December extended to 10 am – 4 pm)
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

This course is for anyone that wants to scratch their writing itch!

You’ll develop your writing skills in a variety of different areas, including poetry, short story writing, flash fiction, playwriting and novel writing.

By exploring your writing in different areas, you’ll discover inventive approaches to begin your own individual project.

  • Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
  • You’ll be part of a creative writing community; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
  • On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
  • With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your writing at home or work.

Here's what our previous attendees said:

'I have loved doing this course, Gareth was a great tutor! Everything was brilliant and I now have the skills and confidence to be a good writer' WT

'This course has given me a deep understanding of the process and construction of writing. The tutor was great and there was a good balance of topics' CH

‘I’ve been trying for years to structure a story and yet within a 5 minute exercise on Saturday I managed to crack it!’

'I enjoyed everything! The topics were really interesting, moved at a good pace and really made me think. The exercised were fantastic and definitely got my writing. Thank you! LM

'The other students were great and Gareth created a safe environment to share our work. Loved it all, thank you, I wasn't ready for it to finish!’ AA

'The experience and knowledge on how to construct a novel was enjoyable. It was a pleasure to get to know Gareth and he was very generous in his help and thoughts.’

‘The course moved at a good pace and there was a good mixture between teaching and time to write' LD

'Thoroughly enjoyed it, I've been inspired! Enjoyed the shared writing activities and feedback from peers' JR

What you’ll study

This course is ideal for people who have not attended a creative writing course before, and are looking for a challenge.

You’ll write something new each week and receive guidance, advice and feedback from your peers and tutor in a supportive, seminar environment to help you develop and progress.

You’ll approach different literary examples each session to inspire you, and apply ideas from these to your own work.

During this course, you will:

  • learn key elements of writing including how to get started and where to find inspiration
  • explore your characters and how to flesh them out
  • use poetry to develop your other creative writing projects
  • complete writing workshops and exercises to develop your writing style
  • share your work with others and understand how to self-edit
  • understand the context of literary traditions and where your work sits in this framework.

Campus and facilities

You will be studying creative writing in a UNESCO City of Literature, and be based in the School of Arts and Humanities on the City Campus.

You will find modern teaching spaces and quiet study environments to develop your ideas and writing.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Entry requirements

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: No experience is required.

You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £435.

Payment is due at the time of booking.

How to apply