Short Stories and First Chapters

Everyone has a story to tell, whether a work wholly of the imagination or something developed from the experience of life.

On this course we will take you on a journey to find or further develop ways to express your ideas in writing, either in the form of a short story or a passage from a longer piece of work.

Our creative writing course seeks to educate the imagination and equip you with the technical and practical know-how to fulfil your writing aims.

On this interactive, discussion-centred course, teaching is delivered in a friendly and guided environment offering the necessary positive and constructive criticism appropriate to the emerging work of each member of the group. The sessions will be further supported by short extracts from great works of fiction and books on the craft, drawn from a diverse community of writers.

Required Previous Experience (if any)

No previous experience is necessary.

Required Reading Material or Special Equipment Needed (if any)

There is no required reading material, but recommended texts include:

• The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook (London: Bloomsbury, 2023, 2024, 2025)
• Ailsa Cox, Writing Short Stories (London: Routledge, 2016)
• John Mullan, How Novels Work (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008)
• Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird (London: Doubleday, 1994)

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course you will be better prepared to:

1.      produce written work taking the form of self-contained short stories or a chapters of novels or personal memoirs;

2.     identify ideas that can be used in the production of a piece of writing;

3.     use and develop key writing techniques, methods and forms that relate to your own interests and abilities as a writer.

Teaching and Learning Approach

The teaching and learning approach for this course combines tutor-led instruction, group activities, and independent study supported by individual guidance from the tutor. Classes are conducted face-to-face in a classroom setting and utilise diverse teaching methods, including presentations, multimedia resources, class discussions, and interactive activities. These methods are selected to engage students, accommodate varied learning styles, and support effective understanding of the subject matter. The approach is also designed to recognise and be responsive to the diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities, and cultural perspectives represented within the student cohort, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Additional information

This course descriptor may be subject to change during the delivery of the course, depending on the specific direction and nature of the learner cohort, and is intended to be responsive to the group dynamics as they emerge during the delivery of the course.