Autobiographical writing

Explore various resources for autobiography, such as dreams, fantasies, memories, diaries and photos.Whether you are writing for self-discovery, testimony or to tell your story, you’ll learn how to make your writing evocative and powerful. N.B. For HW047 term 1 ends on 6 Dec and term 2 starts on 10 Jan. N.B. Term 1 ends on 6 December and term 2 starts on 10 January..

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Key course information

Dates
13/09/11 - 20/03/12

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
24 weeks

Time
12:30 - 14:30

Fees
Full fee: £258
Senior fee: £146
Concession: £70

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW047

Availability
Available
(status updated every 15 mins)

This course has started

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

Course outline

What is the course about?

The skills of autobiographical writing, including how to focus and craft your work. Insight into the sources of powerful autobiographical writing. Developing confidence in giving constructive criticism, and in using it to revise or edit your work.

What topics will we cover?

Depending on the participants’ interests the course will include some or all of the following:
- how to start writing autobiography
- exploring different sources of autobiographical writing eg dreams, fantasies and lateral approaches to self-knowledge as well as conscious experience, thought and memory
- how to find themes and other ways of unifying your work
- the relevance of fictional techniques to help you dramatise and structure your writing into something which will fully engage the reader
- use of memorabilia (eg photos, diaries, family, and official records) where appropriate
We may also explore:
- the different drives to write autobiography
- how to retrieve memories
- how to approach writing about sensitive areas of your life
- issues such as self-exposure, betrayal, and confidence
- selection of material
- the concept of truth or fact in relation to autobiography
- how to get published.

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

- write autobiographically-based work more effectively and confidently
- identify and appreciate some of the sources and 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?

Suitable for people with some experience of creative writing, whether or not autobiographical. Students will be expected to be writing outside class and to read their work out to the class on a rota basis (see section 5 for more information.

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

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

Most sessions will consist of a balance of teaching and students sharing and discussing their work. Each week two students will be scheduled to share their work for half an hour each. The rest of the session will consist of an open reading, for students to read and discuss shorter pieces of work, and teaching and discussion on a particular topic. The tutor will generally give the first response to a piece of work before opening up the discussion.
If students do not want to read their work aloud other arrangements can be made for sharing the work.
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. You will need to make copies of work you bring to share with the class (usually 5 – 8 copies, depending on the number of students enrolled.) These will be returned to you as soon as the discussion is over.

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. 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.

Select another date / day / time

Dates	Day(s)	Time	Duration	Fees	Snr	Conc	Code	Availability
13/09/11 to 20/03/12	Tue	12:30 - 14:30	24 weeks	£258	£146	£70	HW047	Started	» Select
15/09/11 to 22/03/12	Thu	15:30 - 17:30	24 weeks	£258	£146	£70	HW252	Started	» Select