Ways into creative writing: a gentle pace
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: HW573
Choose a start date
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 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?
Creative writing often comes from a very personal place and the process of writing and sharing it for the first time can seem very daunting. This introductory short course enables students new to creative writing to explore its core forms, the key language techniques you can use for effect, and some structural basics which will help you convey your message to the reader.
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?
- The differences between various forms of creative writing
- Core techniques of creative writing
- How to unlock your creativity and gain confidence as a creative writer.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Distinguish between different types of creative writing
- Analyse approaches to structure and language specific to forms of creative writing
- Write your own creative pieces of prose and/or poetry
- Share your work with peers.
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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a mix of indivudal, pair and group work, tutor instruction, text analysis, in-class writing activities and supportive workshop. Between sessions homework may be set to aid students in developing a writing discipline.
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?
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.
Writer and visual artist Claire Collison was awarded the Women Poets’ Prize, 2018. Her first novel was a finalist in the Dundee Book Prize, 2005. Her poetry appears in magazines and anthologies, and has been placed in Winchester, Resurgence, and Hippocrates prizes. She has worked as subeditor for MAKE, the magazine of Women’s Art, and Arts Editor for Disability Arts Magazine. Claire was the first MaxLiteracy writer at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge, and designs engagement resources, including for the Government Art Collection, National Maritime Museum, and Photographers’ Gallery. She has led creative projects within hospitals and schools, and with refugees and asylum seekers, vulnerable adults, elders, and young children. Her recent cross-disciplinary project, Truth Is Beauty was performed in venues across the UK. She is a founder member of Poets for the Planet.
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.
