Creative writing: getting started

About this course

Participants explore different forms of creative writing through exercises that draw on imagination and lived experience, including developing stories and poems. Teaching combines interactive tutor presentations, group discussion and individual writing. Learners discuss their own and others’ work, practise giving and receiving constructive feedback, and consider possible directions for developing their writing. The course also introduces what participants can expect from creative writing classes.

What you'll learn

• Experiment with different forms of creative writing.
• Write stories and poems drawn from imagination and life.
• Write about personal experience in an honest and entertaining way.
• Respond sensitively and insightfully to other learners’ work.
• Describe what to expect from creative writing classes.

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for beginners who have not attended creative writing classes before. Basic written English is needed to benefit. Participation includes individual writing, group discussion, sharing work and responding to classmates’ writing.

• Learners are encouraged to alert the tutor and classmates in advance if shared writing contains sensitive material.

Before you go

• Bring personal writing materials.
• Learners are encouraged to provide advance content notes for writing that may be sensitive.