Creative writing, like art is subjective and therefore difficult to define. Although some people feel it is a subject that cannot be taught, many others disagree, and they are backed up by statistics which show that over the last decade there has been a huge expansion in the number of creative writing courses available in the UK.
If you have a real hunger to know more about the writing process and want to learn how to clearly express your thoughts, ideas and feelings then this course is for you. It will teach students a range of strategies to help them develop as writers and work to a professional standard. For most courses you need absolutely no prior experience, just a burning desire to write, remember every famous writer was once a beginner. This makes programmes suitable for new writers who may not be sure where their talents lie, as well as for those with some existing experience but who would also like to develop the skills they already possess. While a creative writing course can't turn someone into a writer overnight, if you have ability and are willing to work hard, a course can certainly help you to improve more quickly.
On many evening classes teaching staff are actual practising writers who have real life experience of the industry and links to professional publishing houses and the media industry. These experienced tutors can give you an insight into the real workings of literary agents and the publishing world as well as advice on future career opportunities as a professional writer.
Course structure
On a course you will explore a particularly broad scope of writing disciplines, including traditional creative writing pathways such as fiction and poetry. Modules will prepare you for writing your own portfolio by showing you how to put together premise, structure, plot and character.
Classes tend to be intense and consist of lectures, seminar discussion, workshops, and group or individual tutorials, they are highly practical, with exercises and activities designed to ignite and sustain the writing impulse. Through experiment, practice and constructive feedback, students are taught to identify their own strengths, interest and style. The emphasis is very much on practice through guided activities, supported by supplementary articles and literary examples. Exploring Literature in detail you will have the chance to read, discuss, and attend lectures on selected works spanning literary culture from Homer to the present day. There are regular events, readings, poetry slams and more all of which provide an energetic and talented scene in which to write.
Students will be set small exercises each week and encouraged to read and comment on each other’s work, this helps to develop critical thinking as a writer and as a reader. The process also enables students to gain feedback on their work from a number of different reader perspectives, as courses tend to include students from a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Assessment for modules will vary, but may include a journal, a revised collection of writing exercises, presentations, or a short project.
Tutors are available to help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance in person during class or on online forums, telephone or email.
Being in the London you can make use of the historic surroundings as a source for writing, with many tutors organising trips to galleries, museums and places of interest to act as a source of inspiration for students.
Typical topics studied on a creative writing course
Fiction
Poetry
Life writing (biography and autobiography)
Children Literature
Screenwriting
English Literature
Playwriting
Modern and contemporary British writing
Prose
Grammar
Short story writing
Travel writing
Openings, Abstracts and Metaphors
Creative pedagogy
Archival research
Students will learn how to
Research & revise.
Work to deadlines.
Grow and develop stories.
Keep a writers handbook.
Use the techniques used by contemporary writers and by those from the past.
Use their imagination, memory and experiences to write.
Write for new media.
Re-draft and edit material.
Explore the genres of poetry, drama and the novel through detailed study of texts from different periods.
Use creative writing as a form of communication.
Create a sense of place with its own unique atmosphere.
Put together complex sentence structures.
Create convincing characters and plots.
The course will help students to
Develop their analytical and critical abilities as well as their imaginative skills.
Gain a understanding of why its important for writers to read works by other writers.
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