Life writing: a taster
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: HW443
Duration: 2 sessions (over 2 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
There are few activities more meaningful than reflecting on the events of our lives, those we care about and the world we live in. Whether you are creating a keepsake containing your most precious moments, hoping to improve your creative writing or simply want future generations of your family to know about your life experiences, this workshop teaches a range of life writing approaches and techniques that will open new avenues of reflection.
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?
- Approaches to enriching life writing.
- Innovative structural techniques within life writing.
- Developing a voice and style in life writing.
- Life writing prompts of an introspective nature.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Experiment with different writing styles.
- Develop your understanding of structural techniques within life writing.
- Experiment with instrospective prompts that open up new avenues in your life writing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students should already have completed a previous journaling or autobiographical writing course with City Lit, or have other prior life writing experience.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
A mix of writing prompts, pair work, group work, class discussion and formal tutor modeling and instruction.
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.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Writing materials / journal to write in.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a range of writing courses that encourages aspiring writers to explore their creativity.
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.
Lorna V is an award-winning playwright, performance artist, journalist, author, and writing coach. She has written for many publications including the Daily Mail, the Guardian Weekend, Cosmopolitan and Sunday Times Style. She has written three personal development books for the Psychologies magazine brand published by Wiley and her interest in psychology has led to her currently studying for an MSc in Creative Arts and Mental Health. As writer-performer she has appeared at venues and festivals in and out of London, including Battersea Arts Centre, Blue Elephant Theatre and Oxford’s Old Fire Station.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
