Autumn

Online Creative Writing Workshop

An online Creative Writing Workshop for beginners and those looking to refresh their writing skills. All learning will take place via distance, making this an ideal way for busy creative writers to refine their skills at a time convenient to them - this is truly flexible learning with no requirement to be available at any specific time. Students will work through a structured series of specifically designed writing exercises all from the comfort of their own homes, receiving regular tutor and peer feedback along the way.

Damian McDonald BSc MA

• Day: Online
• Start Date: 08 October 2012
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £107.00

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Writing History and Historical Fiction

 
History is a big business these days: from historicised fiction to historical fact, today’s bestseller charts are brimming with tales of the past. The past is available to every writer, and a part of every reader. So if you’ve an interest in an historical figure, a love for a way-gone era or are simply looking for inspiration, come along to the class and begin writing history in a friendly, fun and practical atmosphere. No writing experience or historical know-how required.

Dannie Hancock BA MA 

• Day: Tuesday
• Start Date: 09 October 2012
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £67.00

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How to Write for Children 

Cancelled

If you have ever read a story, told a story or made up a story for a child, and you would like to write such a story, come along to this course. Through writing and reading examples from established authors, participants will be encouraged to become familiar with many techniques involved in writing for children and the role of the writer of children’s literature. Selected aspects, including themes, plot development, dialogue and characterisation, will be studied to encourage a deeper understanding of writing for children of all ages.

Judith Duncan CertEd

• Day: Wednesday
• Start Date: 10 October 2012
• Time: 10.15am-12.15pm
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £67.00

Introduction to Screenwriting

 
It used to be that everyone had a book in them. Now it seems everyone has a screenplay just waiting to be written. This introductory class takes students through the generation of ideas and construction of gripping stories all the way to the formatting of the screenplay itself. Whether you’re a writer, a filmmaker or just a movie fan, this course aims to spark your creativity and inspire your visual storytelling. All materials included - all you need is your imagination.

Jonathan Carr MA PGDip

• Day: Wednesday
• Start Date: 10 October 2012
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 5
• Full fee: £33.50

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Write Away 1

 
This course will be a broad introduction to creative writing using a wide variety of texts for inspiration, from postcards and pictures to poems and short stories. Suitable for the beginner as well as the more experienced writer, you will be given the opportunity to share your own creative writing within a mutually supportive group. By using texts from established as well as new and contemporary writers we will explore the writing of fiction, poetry and scripts, with an anthology of work being produced at the course’s conclusion.

Doreen Gurrey CertEd BEd

• Day: Thursday
• Start Date: 11 October 2012
• Time: 10.15am-12.15pm
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £67.00

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You and Your Story - An Introduction to Memoir Writing

 
Life is rich and fascinating, full of poetry and drama, twists of fate, highs and lows. In this course, we will explore how to share experiences in a unique and personal way and add warmth and readability. During this highly practical session, we will examine ways to ‘mine’ your memory, learn the basic elements of all good stories and discover ways to bring writing alive. Along the way, we’ll also start the drafting process, write some great opening lines, and consider the place poetry may - or may not - have in a memoir!

Rachel Kerr BA MA PGCE

• Day: Saturday
• Start Date: 13 October 2012
• Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
• No. of weeks: 1
• Full fee: £35.00

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Advanced Creative Writing Workshops (Mondays)

 
In these monthly workshops there will be exercises to stimulate new writing as well as an opportunity to get feedback on your work. If you have completed the University’s Certificate in Creative Writing or have some experience of writing and would like to continue to develop this please ask for further details. The tutor is a published, prize-winning poet and a number of her current students have published stories and poems, had their scripts performed or won prizes in national competitions. It is anticipated that this course will be held at the King's Manor.

Carole Bromley BA MA MPhil PGCE

• Term: Autumn and Spring terms
• Day: Monday
• Start Date: 22 October 2012
• Time: 6-9pm
• No. of weeks: 6
• Full fee: £107.00

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Advanced Creative Writing Workshops (Wednesdays)

 
In these monthly workshops there will be exercises to stimulate new writing as well as an opportunity to get feedback on your work. If you have completed the University’s Certificate in Creative Writing or have some experience of writing and would like to continue to develop this please ask for further details. The tutor is a published, prize-winning poet and a number of her current students have published stories and poems, had their scripts performed or won prizes in national competitions. It is anticipated that this course will be held at the King's Manor.

Carole Bromley BA MA MPhil PGCE

• Term: Autumn and Spring terms
• Day: Wednesday
• Start Date: 24 October 2012
• Time: 6-9pm
• No. of weeks: 6
• Full fee: £107.00

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Writing Short Stories

 
What exactly is a short story? Aimed at beginners, this day course will use creative exercises to examine the themes and characteristics that differentiate the short story from other kinds of writing. We will focus upon style, pace, characters and scene setting, with the aim of producing a short story of your own.

Rob O’Connor BA MA CTLLS

• Day: Saturday
• Start Date: 24 November 2012
• Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
• No. of weeks: 1
• Full fee: £35.00

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Spring

Online Creative Writing Workshop

 
An online Creative Writing Workshop for beginners and those looking to refresh their writing skills. All learning will take place via distance, making this an ideal way for busy creative writers to refine their skills at a time convenient to them - this is truly flexible learning with no requirement to be available at any specific time. Students will work through a structured series of specifically designed writing exercises all from the comfort of their own homes, receiving regular tutor and peer feedback along the way.

Damian McDonald BSc MA

• Day: Online
• Start Date: 21 January 2013 
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £107.00

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Online Fiction Writing Workshop

 
Designed for both new and experienced writers, this online fiction writing course will take you through the process of writing fiction, beginning with suggestions for how to find stories, how to shape them, and how to breathe life into the characters and settings. Each week offers links for discussion, exercises, and the chance to share your thoughts about writing. By the end, it is hoped you will have completed a short story of 2,000 words, as well as having many more ideas for other stories, and possibly longer fiction.

Lisa Selvidge BA MA

• Day: Online
• Start Date: 21 January 2013 
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £107.00

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Grasping the Nettle: Writing the Short Story

 
This course will enable participants to become familiar with the short story genre and increase their confidence in writing. Students will discuss the work of key short story writers in relation to their own aspirations, and learn practical skills including structure, characterisation and dialogue. They will build up a portfolio of work with the help of peer and tutor feedback, and there will be considerable emphasis on practical issues such as submitting for publication and pitching to literary agents.

Sophie Coulombeau MA MSt

• Day: Monday
• Start Date: 21 January 2013
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 8
• Full fee: £53.50

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Playwriting: Filling the Empty Space

Course cancelled

For those interested in writing for the theatre, ‘Playwriting’ will give students an in-depth knowledge of dramatic writing for the stage. The course will consider playwriting as an aspect of theatre-making, allowing students to write specifically to the demands of this exciting live medium and use the stage as their personal canvas. No previous knowledge is required and newcomers to the discipline are very welcome.

Matthew Midgley BA MA

• Day: Tuesday
• Start Date: 22 January 2013
  
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 8
• Full fee: £53.50

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How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy

Course cancelled

This course is designed for anybody who has ever dreamed of bringing their fantasy or science fiction world to life on the page. We will look into how to create your own fantasy worlds and the rules that govern them. Not only this, but we will look at style and content, developing classic character types and the delivery of science fiction and fantasy themes in your writing. This course is aimed at people of any skill level.

Rob O’Connor BA MA CTLLS

• Day: Thursday
• Start Date: 24 January 2013
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 8
• Full fee: £53.50

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Write Away 2

Course cancelled

This course is suitable for those who have completed ‘Write Away 1’ and for those who wish to develop their writing further. Using a wide variety of established, as well as new, writers and poets, we will look at form and structure in poetry, fiction and scripts, exploring in particular: how to sustain a theme and plot; write effective dialogue; and deepen your poetic imagination.

Doreen Gurrey CertEd Bed

• Day: Thursday
• Start Date: 24 January 2013
• Time: 10.15am-12.15pm
• No. of weeks: 8
• Full fee: £53.50

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From Spark to Page

 
Ever thought of writing a novel? Ideas for stories can come from a variety of sources and a moment of imagination could spark an idea for the next blockbuster. But what’s the next stage? How do you get your ideas down on paper? This day course, designed for beginners, will take you step-by-step through the process of beginning your story, looking at outlining plots and characters, and how you can turn one great idea into a piece of creative writing.

Rob O’Connor BA MA CTLLS

• Day: Saturday
• Start Date: 2 February 2013
• Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
• No. of weeks: 1
• Full fee: 35.00

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Writing for Publication

 
Whatever you want to write, learning how to report the news will make your prose focused, sharp and instantly engaging. This crash course in ‘writing the news’ teaches the basics of concise reporting - how to identify the story, write a grabbing intro and deliver essential information in short, snappy prose. Whether you want to publish in newspapers, magazines or just write your own blog, this course on news, features and blogging will introduce you to the world of journalism.

Sue Cooper MA

• Day: Saturday
• Start Date: 23 February 2013
• Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
• No. of weeks: 1
• Full fee: £35.00

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Summer

Online Fiction Writing Workshop

 
Designed for both new and experienced writers, this online fiction writing course will take you through the process of writing fiction, beginning with suggestions for how to find stories, how to shape them, and how to breathe life into the characters and settings. Each week offers links for discussion, exercises, and the chance to share your thoughts about writing. By the end, it is hoped you will have completed a short story of 2,000 words, as well as having many more ideas for other stories, and possibly longer fiction.

Lisa Selvidge BA MA

• Day: Online
• Start Date: 22 April 2013 
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £107.00

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Writing What You Know

Cancelled

Everybody has a skill, an experience, or an understanding that could be shared. ‘How to’ books are great sellers, wonderful presents and an unbeatable way to divulge your talents and knowledge. If you’ve ever thought about writing a cook book, a gardening manual, a child-care advice kit, or any other ‘how to’ book, then come along and make it happen! Supportive, fun and informative classes guaranteed. No writing experience necessary.

Dannie Hancock BA MA

• Day: Monday
• Start Date: 22 April 2013
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £67.00

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Introduction to Screenwriting

 
It used to be that everyone had a book in them. Now it seems everyone has a screenplay just waiting to be written. This introductory class takes students through the generation of ideas and construction of gripping stories all the way to the formatting of the screenplay itself. Whether you’re a writer, a filmmaker or just a movie fan, this course aims to spark your creativity and inspire your visual storytelling. All materials included - all you need is your imagination.

Jonathan Carr MA PGDip

• Day: Tuesday
• Start Date: 23 April 2013
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 5
• Full fee: £33.50

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Writing the Novel

 
This course will enable aspirant novelists to become familiar with the genre and increase their confidence in writing. Students will discuss the work of key novelists in relation to their own aspirations, and learn practical skills including structure, characterisation and dialogue. With the help of peer and tutor feedback, students will build up a portfolio (outline and two to three chapters) over the course, and there will be considerable emphasis on practical issues such as pitching to literary agents and publishers.

Sophie Coulombeau MA MSt

• Day: Wednesday
• Start Date: 24 April 2013
• Time: 7-9pm
• No. of weeks: 10
• Full fee: £67.00

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Writing for the Terrified: Beginners Guide to Writing Short Stories

 
Want to write but don’t know how to start? This five week course will banish fear of the blank page and lead you gently through the key techniques of fiction: how to find stories, invent strong characters and dramatise events to make them vivid, real and gripping for the reader. We’ll learn to avoid the most common fiction faults right from the beginning and develop a writing habit that makes it fun to create your own short stories.

Sue Cooper MA

• Day: Thursday
• Start Date: 25 April 2013
• Time: 1.15-3.15pm
• No. of weeks: 5
• Full fee: £33.50

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Masterclass Weekends

We are pleased to be offering the first of what we hope will be a series of annual weekend workshops that will incorporate the teaching of recognised and respected guest writers alongside award winning tutor, Elizabeth Linklater. Each will run from 10am-4pm on Saturday with the guest writer, then from 10am- 1pm on Sunday when the previous day’s learning will be consolidated.

Taught on University campus, the price does not include any food or accommodation, but for those travelling from further afield, the Centre will seek to provide a list of local hotels and B&Bs upon request.

These weekends are an ideal way to meet fellow writers for a concentrated writing experience, share ideas, and develop your writing skills in a supported environment with input from published authors.

Each weekend costs £99.

Novel Writing with Kate North 

With Kate, you will learn the basic principles of writing fiction in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Through writing exercises, we will explore the fundamentals of form, description, characterisation, imagery and voice.  You will also analyse examples of good writing and engage in writing workshops to enable you to strengthen your own style. Suitable for those who may just be starting out in writing, as well as the more experienced seeking stimulation.

About Kate:
Dr Kate North is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She has taught at the University of Gloucestershire, The University of York, York St John University and Cardiff University. Her novel, Eva Shell, was published in 2008 and her poetry collection, Bistro, will be published in 2012. She was poetry editor for Aesthetica Magazine (2006/7) and currently edits for Iota poetry magazine. She writes reviews, articles and interviews for a variety of magazines and journals.

• Day: Saturday and Sunday
• Start date: 16/17 March 2013 
• Time: 10am-4pm on Saturday, 10am-1pm on Sunday
• No. of weeks: 1
• Full fee: £99

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