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

Short story writing : daytime

For all those who want to write short stories. Practical advice, exercises to stimulate new writing, supportive feedback and criticism.

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Key course information

Dates
21/09/11 - 07/12/11

Day(s)
Wed

Duration
12 weeks

Time
10:15 - 12:15

Fees
Full fee: £129
Senior fee: £73
Concession: £35

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW030

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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

Course outline

What is the course about?

Gaining confidence in your writing and reading of short fiction.

What topics will we cover?

You will explore the scope and the forms of the short story and develop techniques, including structure, dialogue,
characterisation, point of view and pacing. You will also use your writer’s notebook as a starting point for stories and
a repository of ideas and observations.

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

- respond to and assess pieces of writing with sensitivity
- identify and develop good writing habits
- use short story writing skills with greater confidence
- use your critical abilities (both towards your own and other students work) more effectively
- develop your writer’s notebook.

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

Intermediate. Beginners are welcome, though some experience of writing and reading fiction is recommended.

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

Class room exercises, homework, discussion and sharing ideas in a supportive atmosphere. Receiving and giving
positive criticism and feedback.

The Tutor
Wendy Brandmark is a fiction writer, reviewer and lecturer. Her novel, The Angry Gods, received excellent reviews,
and her short stories have appeared or are forthcoming in anthologies and journals, including Critical Quarterly, The Jewish Quarterly, Riptide (University of Exeter), The Massachusetts Review and Stand. She was awarded a writer’s grant from the Art Council to fund the completion of a short story collection. She has reviewed fiction for a wide range of magazines and newspapers including The Times Literary Supplement, The Literary Review and The Independent. She has taught creative writing for over fifteen years and directed the creative writing programme at Birkbeck College’s Faculty of Continuing Education. She now teaches at Birkbeck and on the Oxford University MA, and is working on new short stories and a novel.

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?

None, except paper and pen.

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?

There are several short story and fiction writing courses on offer at the City Lit.

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.