Creative writing for social media

What is the course about?

We will use hands-on, and on-hand, social media platforms to experiment with, define and present new writing explorations. Using elements from concrete poetry, haiku, found poems, mobile photography and video recording, we’ll prod at the confines of these platforms, and find interesting ways to bend them.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Found images and sounds
- Concrete poetry and cut-ups
- micro fiction
- creative non-fiction
- Collage and surrealism
- Haiku poems and images
- Microblogging ideas
- Identifying audience
- Voice and ways to engage with followers
- Platforms and content exploration.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

You will have set up a distinctive social media creative writing page, with the ability to utilise a number of forms and approaches to stimulate new works. You will start to define themes and your style in which to develop and showcase your writing.

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

The course is open to beginner creative writing levels and above. A good grasp of written and spoken English is required. Some knowledge of posting on social media, including pictures and video, is preferred.

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

This course will take place online on Zoom and Google Classroom. It will include an Instagram Live component for delivery.

The course will include exploratory discussions, individual writing time and breakout rooms for group work and collaboration. We will explore, define and reflect in a friendly, supportive and open-minded manner conducive to experimentation and creative risk-taking.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Participants will need a laptop with good internet connection, access to Zoom and Google Classroom, and mobile phones capable of photography, video chat and downloading third party apps. We will also be using scissors, glue magazines, newspapers, and/or books that we don’t mind cutting up!

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

This is a beginners creative writing course and open to more experienced writers. Please inquire with City Lit about further poetry, creative writing and photography opportunities.

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.