Creative Writing courses London: Creative Writing course London: Creative Writing evening courses City Lit

Creative writing: making characters work

For beginners and improvers, a chance to develop skills and techniques that will help you make your fictional characters convincing. We will look at archetypes, stereotypes, flat and round characters, motivation and character-driven plotting.

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Key course information

Date
20/03/10

Day(s)
Sat

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 17:30

Fees
Full fee: £38
Senior fee: £23
Concession: £12

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW082

Availability
This date is full

THIS DATE IS FULL

Occasionally places will become available. You can add yourself to the waiting list:

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Still got questions?
Email humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

- To consider characters in fiction writing: flat and round characters, archetypes and stereotypes.
- To develop skills in portraying and developing characters in your own writing.
- To improve critical awareness and gain insights into your own writing process.

What topics will we cover?

- Examples of characters in contemporary fiction and analysis.
- Writing exercises to help you build characters of your own.
- Practical writing skills and craft suggestions.
- Feedback on your own writing.

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

- bring characters to life on the page.
- apply improved writing skills and techniques to your work.
- apply critical understanding to your own and fellow students work.
- create fresh characters.
- produce new material.

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

Good literacy skills required. Some creative writing experience an advantage - not essential.

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

Group analysis of examples.
Discussion.Writing exercises.
Feedback from tutor and fellow students.

The Tutor
Linda Leatherbarrow's short stories are published in her collection 'Essential Kit' (The Maia Press) 2004. She is three times 1st prize winner of the London Writers' Competition and has also won a Bridport Prize and an Asham Award. Her work has been widely published in magazines and anthologies and broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

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?

Paper and pens.

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

No.

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.

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; study support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 189 of the 09-10 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

Contact us

Humanities