Thrills and Chills: Writing Crime, Suspense and Horror
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£175 or £180
- Start Date(s): 27 August 2024, 8 October 2024, 21 January 2025 and 29 April 2025
- Duration: Tuesday and Wednesday 10 am - 4 pm, two days or Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm, four weeks
- Study Mode(s): Short course
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Embark on a psychological thriller, a crime novel, or your very own collection of blood-curdling short stories on this course and chill your readers and raise the stakes.
Over two intensive, fun, and practical days, you’ll be delving into haunting settings and your characters’ darkest secrets, as well as developing tension, crafting creepy moments and effective action scenes.
Whether you're an aspiring or experienced writer looking to delve into the world of dark mysteries, nail-biting suspense, or bone-chilling horror, this course is designed to sharpen your storytelling skills and help you master the art of eliciting fear, intrigue, and excitement from your audience to create truly thrilling and chilling prose.
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You’ll be part of a creative writing community; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
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. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
What you’ll study
Unlock the secrets of crafting spine-tingling stories that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
This course will equip you with the skills and confidence to captivate and terrify your readers.
You’ll get writing straight away using a range of exercises using writing prompts to get you going.
You’ll learn techniques for writing dark fiction and look at inspirational work and advice from an exciting range of successful crime, mystery and horror writers.
During this course, you will:
- explore the core elements of crime, suspense, and horror genres
- analyse successful examples of these genres in literature
- develop a deeper understanding of plot, pacing, and tension-building techniques
- create complex and compelling protagonists and antagonists
- delve into the psychology of fear and suspense to understand character motivations
- work on character development exercises to bring your characters to life
- construct immersive settings that enhance the mood and atmosphere of your story.
- experiment with sensory description and world-building techniques
- learn how to manipulate your environment to create tension and fear
- fine-tune your writing style to create a sense of dread, anticipation, and excitement
- learn how to edit and revise your work to maximize its impact
- receive feedback from your peers and tutor to refine your work.
Classroom discussions and critiques will be combined with a variety of practical exercises.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course.
- Components of a scene
- Building tension
- Creating convincing settings and a vivid atmosphere
- Engaging with the senses
- Action and interaction
- Creating layered characters
- Villainous heroes and heroic villains
- Exploring fear
- Secrets and plots
- Refining and cutting
- Markets and submitting
Further information on what you'll study
By the end of the course, you will have a variety of writing projects in development, and a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
You’ll leave with a clearer idea about how to make the most of your characters, settings and plots, specifically when it comes to writing suspense, crime or horror.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
You will receive ten contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to prepare you to succeed in writing and is equally beneficial if you’d like to start writing for a career.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Are you interested in progressing your writing?
Find out more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses:
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 / Intermediate
Entry requirement: No previous writing experience is required, but a willingness to read widely, write and share your ideas, and discuss each other’s writing in an open-minded and supportive environment is required.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Entry requirement: No previous writing experience is required, but a willingness to read widely, write and share your ideas, and discuss each other’s writing in an open-minded and supportive environment is required.
You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £175 or £180.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
You will need to bring with you a notebook, pen, or laptop if you prefer to write using one.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
The fee for this course is £175 or £180.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
You will need to bring with you a notebook, pen, or laptop if you prefer to write using one.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
How to apply
This course is available for booking via the NTU online store:
27 - 28 August 2024 (two-day intensive course)
8 - 29 October 2024 (evening course)
21 January - 11 February 2025 (evening course)
29 April - 20 May 2025 (evening course)
This course is available for booking via the NTU online store: