Ways into creative writing: a gentle pace

What is the course about?

The process of writing creatively and sharing your work for the first time can seem daunting. This introductory short course moves at a gentle pace to help you discover some fundamentals of creative writing craft, experiment with different forms of creative writing, and practise new writing techniques with confidence.

What will we cover?

- Exploring different forms of creative writing through fun exercises: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting
- How to use figurative language in our writing
- How to engage the senses in our writing
- Writing prompts and games designed to stimulate creativity and unlock your imagination
- Sharing our ideas and writing with confidence.

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

- Produce original pieces of creative writing with confidence
- Decide a clear personal goal for your writing
- Distinguish between different types of creative writing
- Identify different elements of craft in different forms of creative writing and demonstrate these in your own work (e.g. point of view, dialogue, imagery, character)
- Apply each of the five types of sensory imagery in your own writing
- Analyse and discuss pieces of creative writing with confidence and sensitivity.

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

This course is for absolute beginners. Open to students who are trying creative writing for the first time or who have never shared their work in a group setting before. You will need a good grasp of written and spoken English.

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

- Interactive tutor presentation
- Writing prompts, exercises, and fun games
- Discussion and analysis of published creative writing
- Supportive constructive feedback from your tutor and classmates

You will be given optional homework assignments. You will also be invited to share your ideas and your writing in class.

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?

No additional costs. Please bring pen and paper.

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

Once you've built your confidence on this introductory course, why not try Ways into creative writing: an introduction or a term-long Ways into creative writing course?

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.