Creative writing: life stories

About this course

Participants explore ways to turn memories and personal experiences into written work. Activities include six-word memoirs, one-paragraph stories and other approaches to recording life events, alongside discussion of examples by established writers. Teaching combines writing exercises, group discussion, shared reading and constructive feedback from the tutor and other learners. Written homework is reviewed in class, giving participants opportunities to develop drafts and consider different approaches to life writing.

What you'll learn

• Develop short pieces of life writing from personal memories and experiences
• Use structured exercises such as the six-word memoir and one-paragraph story
• Apply selected principles of effective writing to personal narratives
• Give and respond to constructive feedback on written work

Is this course right for you?

The course is open to anyone wishing to write about their life experiences, with no narrower audience identified in the source. It involves sharing work, discussing writing with a group and taking part in peer review, as well as completing written homework. The all-levels label suggests that learners can approach the subject from different points of experience.

• Includes regular sharing of work and peer feedback
• Written homework forms part of the course
• Learners set goals and record objectives through an Individual Learning Plan

Before you go

• Written homework is shared and peer reviewed in class.
• There is no exam or formal assessment.
• An Individual Learning Plan is completed, and a Certificate of Completion can be requested.
• Assistive equipment and access support through reasonable adjustments may be available, subject to an interview with the relevant support team.