Part-time adult education, evening classes: London: City Lit

Ways into creative writing

Want to have a go at creative writing in a supportive atmosphere? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.

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Key course information

Dates
11/01/10 - 15/03/10

Day(s)
Mon

Duration
10 weeks

Time
19:40 - 21:40

Fees
Full fee: £97
Senior fee: £97
Concession: £28

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW010

Availability
Available
(status updated every 15 mins)

This course has started

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If you still wish to enrol:
Call enrolments on 020 7831 7831

Course outline

What is the course about?

This course aims to introduce you to the skills needed to write creatively. You will be encouraged to think in a creative way and to experiment with language, in prose fiction and poetry. You will gain a greater understanding of how language works and of the devices and techniques used by writers.
The course is not designed for those wishing to improve their writing skills such as grammar and punctuation.

What topics will we cover?

Class exercises are designed to bring out each student's individual voice, loosen the imagination, move away from preconceived ideas, and promote writing confidence. Students and the tutor respond to the work individuals choose to read out in a supportive workshop atmosphere.

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

- identify the characteristics of creative writing (as distinct from non-fiction).
- respond to, assess and discuss pieces of writing with sensitivity.
- recognise some of your own writing skills.
- recognise various techniques used by creative writers, such as imagery, point of view, 1st
person/3rd person narrative.
- apply various writing techniques such as imagery and point of view in your own writing.
- produce several pieces of writing - poems and/or short pieces of fiction.
- take risks.

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

You will have an interest in writing and reading prose fiction and/or poetry. You will be able to read and write fluently in English, using appropriate grammar and sentence structure for the writing tasks. You will be invited to read out texts you produce in class and at home. You should be able to respond to and discuss literary texts you have heard or read.

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

In-class exercises (writing games, writing against the clock etc.); out-of-class assignments; small group discussion; tutor-led discussion; workshop readings (of students writing) and critical discussion; class brainstorming; visualisation; block-breaking exercises. Writing tasks will also be set as homework.

The Tutor
Zoe Fairbairns' short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio Four and have appeared in anthologies including Tales I Tell My Mother, Despatches from the Frontiers of the Female Mind and By the Light of the Silvery Moon. She has also published stories in magazines such as Quality Women's Fiction, Cosmopolitan and The Mechanics Institute Review. Her latest collection, How do you pronounce Nulliparous? Is published by Five Leaves. She has taught creative writing at the Arvon Foundation, at Morley College, in schools, in prisons, and at a shelter for homeless people. She has run writing workshops at the University of Minnesota USA, Deakin University in Australia, and the University of Havana, Cuba. Her novels include Benefits, Stand We At Last, Here Today, Closing and Other Names.

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 (A4 writing pad) and pen/pencil. A folder for storing original work and handouts will be useful.

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?

Other Ways into Creative Writing courses; a good progression route is to take Furthering your Creative Writing (Sat 1100-1300) or there are more specific courses on poetry, playwriting, short story writing, novel writing etc.

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

Select another date / day / time

Dates	Day(s)	Time	Duration	Fees	Snr	Conc	Code	Availability
11/01/10 to 15/03/10	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£97	£97	£28	HW010	Started	» Select
11/01/10 to 15/03/10	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	10 weeks	£97	£58	£28	HW006	Started	» Select
12/01/10 to 16/03/10	Tue	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£97	£97	£29	HW250	Started	» Select
12/01/10 to 16/03/10	Tue	15:45 - 17:45	10 weeks	£97	£58	£28	HW007	Started	» Select
13/01/10 to 17/03/10	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£97	£97	£28	HW008	Full	» Select
14/01/10 to 18/03/10	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	10 weeks	£97	£58	£28	HW017	Started	» Select
14/01/10 to 18/03/10	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	10 weeks	£97	£97	£28	HW009	Started	» Select
15/01/10 to 19/03/10	Fri	18:30 - 20:30	10 weeks	£97	£97	£28	HW110	Started	» Select
17/01/10 to 21/03/10	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	10 weeks	£97	£59	£29	HW245	Full	» Select
12/04/10 to 28/06/10	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£97	£97	£28	HW015	Full	» Select
12/04/10 to 28/06/10	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	10 weeks	£97	£58	£28	HW011	Full	» Select
13/04/10 to 22/06/10	Tue	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£106	£106	£32	HW251	Available	» Select
13/04/10 to 22/06/10	Tue	15:45 - 17:45	11 weeks	£106	£64	£31	HW012	Available	» Select
14/04/10 to 23/06/10	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£106	£106	£31	HW013	Full	» Select
15/04/10 to 24/06/10	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	11 weeks	£106	£64	£31	HW020	Available	» Select
15/04/10 to 24/06/10	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	11 weeks	£106	£106	£31	HW014	Available	» Select
16/04/10 to 25/06/10	Fri	18:30 - 20:30	11 weeks	£106	£106	£31	HW111	Available	» Select
18/04/10 to 20/06/10	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	10 weeks	£97	£59	£29	HW254	Available	» Select
21/09/09 to 07/12/09	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	12 weeks	£116	£116	£34	HW005	Finished	» Select
21/09/09 to 07/12/09	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	12 weeks	£116	£69	£33	HW001	Finished	» Select
22/09/09 to 08/12/09	Tue	19:40 - 21:40	12 weeks	£116	£116	£34	HW242	Finished	» Select
22/09/09 to 15/12/09	Tue	15:45 - 17:45	12 weeks	£116	£69	£33	HW002	Finished	» Select
23/09/09 to 09/12/09	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	12 weeks	£116	£116	£34	HW003	Finished	» Select
24/09/09 to 17/12/09	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	13 weeks	£116	£69	£33	HW016	Finished	» Select
24/09/09 to 10/12/09	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	12 weeks	£116	£69	£33	HW004	Finished	» Select
25/09/09 to 11/12/09	Fri	18:30 - 20:30	12 weeks	£116	£116	£34	HW109	Finished	» Select
27/09/09 to 06/12/09	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	10 weeks	£97	£59	£29	HW244	Finished	» Select

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Humanities