Storytelling Fundamentals: From Planning to the Page

10 weekly sessions online, on Wednesdays at 7 - 9pm, starting from Wednesday 7 October

Overview

Designed for writers of all levels, this course delves into the art of storytelling, from finding inspiration to crafting compelling characters and plots.

Whether you're a new writer eager to pen your first story or a seasoned wordsmith honing your craft, this short course offers valuable insights and practical techniques to bring your ideas to life on the page. Each session blends theory with hands-on exercises, allowing participants to explore key concepts and apply them in creative ways.

Through engaging discussions and interactive workshops, participants will analyse exemplary works of fiction and uncover the secrets behind their success. From describing settings to character development exercises, each class offers a balance of theory and practice, fostering a supportive environment for experimentation and growth.

Join us for an enriching experience that will ignite your creativity, sharpen your storytelling skills, and propel your writing journey to new heights!

Syllabus

Week 1. Starting structure: the beginning of the end or the end of the middle?
Week 2. A mail order catalogue from Cincinnati: where writers get their ideas…
Week 3. The Sprint: Planning and pacing a short story
Week 4. The Marathon: Planning and pacing a novel
Week 5. Constructing places
Week 6. Reading/Writing break - NO SESSION
Week 7. Your stories: feedback week
Week 8. Growing characters
Week 9. Viewpoint: the distance between the teller and the tale
Week 10. Back to the start: beginnings

Course lecturer

Em Segar has been teaching continuing education classes in creative writing for 15 years, and lectures in genre and digital fiction at Edge Hill University. Their PhD is in interactive fiction, and their own practice is primarily speculative fiction. They are currently writing an interactive YA utopia.

Course fee

Standard fee: £165
Concession fee: £85