Creative Writing courses London: Creative Writing course London: Creative Writing evening courses 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
12/01/12 - 22/03/12

Day(s)
Thu

Duration
11 weeks

Time
12:30 - 14:30

Fees
Full fee: £118
Senior fee: £67

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW017

Availability
This date is full

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

This course is full

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

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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
Malika Booker is a British writer of Guyanese and Grenadian Parentage with more than 15 years’ experience of teaching creative writing. Her poems are widely published in anthologies and journals including Bittersweet: Contemporary Black Women’s Poetry (The Women’s Press, 1998), IC3, The Penguin Anthology of New Black Writing and the India International Journal 2005. She has represented British writing internationally, both independently and with the British Council including Slovenia, New Zealand, India and Azerbaijan. She has also written for the stage and radio. Her one-woman show Unplanned toured nationwide throughout 2007 and her collection Breadfruit was published by flippedeye in 2007, and recommended by the Poetry Book Society. She is currently working on her next one woman show and her first full length collection.

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; 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?

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.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Select another date / day / time

Dates	Day(s)	Time	Duration	Fees	Snr	Conc	Code	Availability
09/01/12 to 19/03/12	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	11 weeks	£118	£67	£32	HW006	Started	» Select
09/01/12 to 19/03/12	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£124	£124	£36	HW010	Full	» Select
10/01/12 to 20/03/12	Tue	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£124	£124	£36	HW250	Full	» Select
10/01/12 to 20/03/12	Tue	15:30 - 17:30	11 weeks	£118	£67	£32	HW007	Started	» Select
11/01/12 to 21/03/12	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£124	£124	£36	HW008	Full	» Select
12/01/12 to 29/03/12	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	11 weeks	£124	£124	N/A	HW009	Full	» Select
12/01/12 to 22/03/12	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	11 weeks	£118	£67	N/A	HW017	Full	» Select
13/01/12 to 23/03/12	Fri	18:00 - 20:00	11 weeks	£124	£124	£36	HW110	Full	» Select
15/01/12 to 25/03/12	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	10 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW245	Full	» Select
16/04/12 to 02/07/12	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	10 weeks	£108	£61	£29	HW011	Available	» Select
16/04/12 to 02/07/12	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW015	Available	» Select
17/04/12 to 26/06/12	Tue	19:40 - 21:40	11 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW251	Available	» Select
17/04/12 to 26/06/12	Tue	15:30 - 17:30	11 weeks	£108	£61	£29	HW012	Available	» Select
18/04/12 to 20/06/12	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	10 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW013	Available	» Select
19/04/12 to 21/06/12	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	10 weeks	£108	£61	£29	HW020	Available	» Select
19/04/12 to 28/06/12	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	10 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW014	Available	» Select
20/04/12 to 22/06/12	Fri	18:00 - 20:00	10 weeks	£113	£113	£33	HW111	Available	» Select
29/04/12 to 01/07/12	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	9 weeks	£102	£102	£31	HW254	Available	» Select
19/09/11 to 05/12/11	Mon	10:15 - 12:15	12 weeks	£129	£73	£35	HW001	Finished	» Select
19/09/11 to 05/12/11	Mon	19:40 - 21:40	12 weeks	£136	£136	£39	HW005	Finished	» Select
20/09/11 to 06/12/11	Tue	15:30 - 17:30	12 weeks	£129	£73	£35	HW002	Finished	» Select
21/09/11 to 14/12/11	Wed	19:40 - 21:40	12 weeks	£136	£136	£39	HW003	Finished	» Select
22/09/11 to 15/12/11	Thu	17:30 - 19:30	12 weeks	£136	£136	£39	HW004	Finished	» Select
22/09/11 to 08/12/11	Thu	12:30 - 14:30	12 weeks	£129	£73	£35	HW016	Finished	» Select
23/09/11 to 16/12/11	Fri	18:00 - 20:00	13 weeks	£136	£136	N/A	HW109	Finished	» Select
25/09/11 to 04/12/11	Sun	11:00 - 13:00	10 weeks	£113	£113	N/A	HW244	Finished	» Select