What is the course about?
This is an exciting opportunity to fit creative writing into your hectic week. Running as an informal rolling programme, you can come for just one term or stay throughout the year, knowing that for a precious hour you’ll be thrown ideas that will take your writing in new directions.
The Tutor
Claire Allen’s first novel, The Mountain of Light, was published by Hodder Headline Review in 2004, followed by Protection in 2007. She has taught creative writing at City University and for many years at City Lit.
City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors 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.
What will we cover?
We will be experimenting with poetry and prose, working with dialogue and descriptive language, finding sources of inspiration in unexpected places and playing with imagery and figures of speech.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Appreciate how to get new ideas for writing from a wide variety of sources
- Seek out new sources of inspiration
- Have the confidence to push your own writing boundaries
- Enjoy sharing work with other students
- Understand how literary techniques can be applied to your own work.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is for writers of every level of experience. While it is designed to appeal to those who want to practise writing in the same way as musicians practise the scales, it is also suitable for complete beginners wanting to discover the writer within.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be introduced to new ideas through discussion, confidence-building class exercises and by looking at the work of established writers. Optional homework assignments will be set regularly. However, you will still get a lot out of this course even if other commitments mean that this hour-long session is the only time you can devote to writing.
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 is cheap: all you really need is a notebook and pen. Please feel free to bring a laptop if you need one.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This is a rolling programme and, if you enjoyed the course, you can continue to attend it in future terms. Alternatively, City Lit offers a huge range of creative writing courses covering all genres and levels of ability. Pick up our prospectus or browse our website for courses on poetry, novel writing, playwriting, screenwriting and more.
All students are invited to join us at City Lit Talks Back, our monthly performance night for City Lit writers. Everyone is welcome, admission is free and there's no need to book in advance. Students are also encouraged to submit 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.
General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details
