Writing Courses & Workshops Online & in London

This critical studies course for developing artists and makers explores the concept of creativity and what it means to be an artist, drawing on a range of cultural theories and work by creative practitioners to help inspire and enhance creative and critical thinking.

The oldest profession as practised among the Romans - not for the squeamish.

Have you wondered why a film might have moved you so powerfully or why it looked so stunningly beautiful? Have you wanted to know quite how a film was able to communicate its story to you so effectively? If so, then this advanced level film studies course is for you. It aims to explore in depth the language of cinema, the way in which film connects with its spectators at the level of film form, in other words, film aesthetics. Writers and critics have long asked similar questions, as have filmmakers themselves, and we will follow some of the most celebrated in their quest for answers. We will look briefly at how films are made and at the importance of cinematography, editing, mise en scène and sound, before exploring in depth film’s aesthetic qualities. We will think about the importance of history for the development of film form and we will analyse clips and sequences from individual films so as to better approach and understand film aesthetics.

This course will introduce and discuss two novels by eminent author, Muriel Spark- Memento Mori (1959) and The Ballad of Peckham Rye (1960). Her writing wilfully upends notions of conformity and acts as a disrupter to accepted conventions. Instead, ‘Spark beckons us to encounter the stranger’ (Marilyn Reizbaum). Playfully disrupting passive readers and stretching comfort zones, Spark’s work provides a space to access unaccustomed outlooks that make us rethink our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world. Instead of unconsciously going with the flow, she awakens us to life’s stranger things.

Explore the story of how Indian painted and printed cottons became an important trade commodity for the Western domestic market, and the far-reaching impact of their design and manufacture.

Are you curious about reading contemporary global literature? Would you like to understand what we mean by the ‘global novel’, reading across cultures and national borders? This in-college course will introduce you to the study of global literature through reading three brilliant 21st century global novels: Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West, Rana Dasgupta’s Tokyo Cancelled and Julie Otsuka’s Buddha in the Attic.

Learn how to create multicolour or monochrome relief prints. You'll be encouraged to work from your own source imagery (sketches, magazine cuttings, photos etc) as an inspirational lead-in to producing relief prints to take home.

Does the amount of data coming into your inbox and folders threaten to overwhelm you? Do you need to develop a system for managing information, tasks and meetings? MS Outlook and OneNote can be part of this system but for many people they feel part of the problem rather than the solution. This course will enable them to work for you not the other way round. You will focus on how to think about problems, solve them and what you are trying to achieve. You will work on developing an email routine that allows you to concentrate on tasks at hand and not be distracted by incoming messages. You will focus on how to create a folder system on Outlook and process using quick steps, rules, categories and colour-coding so you can keep a trace of emails, tasks and appointments. You will learn simple and efficient ways to schedule your work and use notes and task and the flagging system to keep track of your priorities. In addition you will focus on how you can integrate OneNote and Outlook to save you time.

This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here

Are you working, or aiming to work, in voiceovers, podcasts or recording audio books or talking newspapers? Learn the basics of how to record and edit yourself using your home digital audio equipment.

Mahama Gandhi’s messages are profound and based both on his lived experience and intellectual power. His views on truth seeking and non-violent action have inspired many, particularly in the civil rights movements. Join this one-day course to find out more about his philosophy and consider its continued relevance in the 21st century.

How do you cope with different Spanish accents? Do you find some easier to understand than others? This series of short courses will help you understand the specificities and intricacies of a variety of Spanish and South American accents, so you can spot their speakers more easily and understand them better to keep the conversation going.

Explore the portrayal of Captain James Cook from c. 1770 to the present day. Understand images of Cook provide us with a fascinating platform to think about the complicated relationships that have emerged out of British Empire and what used to be thought of as its imperial possessions.