Advanced autobiographical writing

A supportive workshop for more experienced writers of autobiography (including fictionalised work or poetry). Close attention to your work, exploration of techniques and discussion of relevant issues. Suitable for students who have attended autobiographical writing courses and have work in progress.

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Key course information

Dates
17/04/12 - 26/06/12

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
11 weeks

Time
12:30 - 14:30

Fees
Full fee: £108
Senior fee: £61

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW049*

Availability
Contact department

No concessionary fees are available as the limit has been reached.

This course has started

It may still be possible to enrol on this course - please call 020 7831 7831 to discuss. Please note that you will have missed some course content and it may not be possible for the tutor to fully cover missed content with you. Please be advised that the published course fees will apply.

Course outline

What is the course about?

Developing your autobiographical writing and engaing with the issues around writing autobiographically.

What topics will we cover?

- The skills and craft of writing autobiogaphically
- The issues which may arise from writers of autobiography eg:
- Memory and truth
- Self-exposure, betrayal, confidentiality
- Whether to fictionalise
- Selection of material
- Sustaining a writing practice
- Revising and editing your work
- Whether or not to seek publication.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- write effective autobiography or autobiographically based work
- understand more fully some of the issues around writing autobiographically
- provide sensitive, constructive criticism of others work
- evaluate, revise and edit your own work.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an advanced course for students who have attended a previous course in autobiographical writing of have experience of writing autobiographical work. You should be actively engaged in writing autobographical work or work based on autobiography.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Tutor and group discussion of your written work
- Tutor and group discussion of any particular issues you have around your writing
- General discussion of approaches, issues and skills
- Presentations by tutor on particular topics
- suggestions for writing at home where appropriate

You will be expected to be writing, or to have written, outside of the class, and to bring in worj for the class to read and discuss. Depending on the size of the class you will need to bring in 5 - 10 copies of your work you want to share with the group. The tutor and the group will decide at the first meeting how to schedule readings and the length of each person's reading. If students do not want to read their work aloud other arrangements can be made for sharing the work.

NB Confidentiality will be respected by the tutor and students and the atmosphere will be supportive.

The Tutor
Caroline Natzler`s collection of autobiographically based short stories Water Wings was published by Onlywomen Press and her stories and poems have appeared in many anthologies and journals. A selection of her poetry Speaking the Wetlands was published by Pikestaff Press in 1998 and her first full length collection of poems Design Fault was published by Flambard Press in 2001. A second, Smart Dust (Grenadine Press) appeared in spring 2009. Caroline has been running writing workshops for many years, both in adult education institutions and on a freelance basis, and is a contributor to Taking Reality by Surprise: Writing for pleasure and publication, ed Susan Sellers (The Women`s Press).

City lit reserves the right to change course tutors or venues from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor/venue.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You should bring paper, and pens or pencils.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

Yes. Before you can enrol on this course, you need to have an advisory interview with the relevant department. Without this the enrolment team will be unable to process your enrolment. Please contact the department to arrange your interview, or to find out about drop-in sessions.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made. You will receive constructive criticism of your work from the tutor and fellow students throughout the course and you will learn to assess your own work.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.