To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
31st July - 4th August | 2023| Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm, one week
Nottingham Trent University
£435
The aim of the course is to enable the beginner to work on developing their writing skills in a variety of different areas, including poetry, short story writing, flash fiction, playwriting and writing a full-length novel.
It's for people who have not attended a creative writing course before and are looking for a challenge.
On this course, you will be offered advice and feedback in a supportive, seminar environment to help your writing develop and progress.
Classroom discussions and critiques will be combined with a variety of practical homework exercises.
These will be the stimuli to aid the creative process and exploration of your writing skills, offering new insights and inventive approaches to your individual projects.
The course will cover these key themes:
• getting started – finding the inspiration to write
• playing with ideas and searching for the original
• creating characters who breathe
• the importance of the first page
• short story writing
• flash fiction and the mini saga
• working with lines (poetry and prose)
• synopsis for full-length novels
• plays for the modern-day stage
• writing for TV
• the art of redrafting – the end is just the beginning!
During this course, you will:
• create a sense of place for your writing and your characters
• develop the hook that will get readers to read on
• understand the different working styles for different writing projects
• use poetry as a way in to further creative writing
• learn about the importance of a well-constructed synopsis
• learn how to redraft and refine your work.
What will you gain?
By the end of the course, you will have a variety of writing projects in development, and a network of fellow writers and potential collaborators with whom you can progress your work further.
Level: Beginner
Entry requirement: No experience is required.
Where you'll learn: You will be studying creative writing in a UNESCO City of Literature, and be based in the School of Arts and Humanities on the City Campus.
You will find modern teaching spaces and quiet study environments to develop your ideas and writing.
You'll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can't reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Here's what previous attendees said:
'I chose this course because I wanted to develop my skills and enjoyed the whole experience, loved every minute. The balance of completing creative writing exercises and having a dialogue and discussion was perfect, and I was always inspired every week. I met a group of lovely like-minded writers and plan on staying in contact to follow each other's writing journeys' EG
'Tina was a fantastic tutor and I enjoyed trying lots of different writing styles' HB
'I wanted to get back on track with my novel, and have lots of information about the creative writing business. I have learnt different writing techniques and styles, and got useful feedback on my work'
'Really enjoyed the workshop aspect of the sessions and reading pieces out loud to the group. I wanted to see if I could stretch myself and I think that if you can write, then you can learn to write different genres. I most enjoyed novel writing and poetry, but I enjoyed it all' KE
'Tina was a lovely and knowledgeable tutor and the course was above and beyond my expectations. I learnt more about creative writing and built up my skills to write for both fun and potentially professionally. It's been a huge confidence boost. I enjoyed the whole thing - it was really varied and the group were lovely' LJ
Tutor profile: Tina Jay is an award winning playwright, having won both the Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing for her play 'Walking' and the International Student Playscript Competition (judged by Sir Ayckbourn) for 'Rotten Apples'.
Her plays have been performed in London, at venues including Tristan Bates, The Park Theatre, Lost Theatre, Greenwich Theatre, Barons Court, Rich Mix, and The Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Her most recent play 'Syndrome' completed a two-week run at Tristan Bates Theatre in February 2020, with the production having been described as a 'Masterpiece' and 'Pitch Perfect', receiving 5-star reviews and 2 Offie Nominations.
Three of her short stories from her audiobook 'Love Light Betrayal' were also performed at Quad Cinema in Derby.
Tina has taught creative writing in a variety of disciplines, and has an MA in TV Scriptwriting (with Distinction).
She is currently working on a number of new TV, Film and Theatre projects.
Need accommodation?
You can book a self-catered, single room with private bathroom on our city campus, right next door to our studios and classrooms.
Sorry, this event has passed
Fun Station is a vibrant family entertainment centre at The Cornerhouse, full of…
Axed Nottingham have brought next level urban axe throwing to the City centre!
Logiclock is an entertaining puzzle-based live escape game, designed for small groups of…
Start your epic adventure at The Lost City Adventure Golf in The Cornerhouse!
Founded in 1969, Bonington Gallery has been at the forefront of Nottingham’s rich and…
Only one part of Nottingham’s original medieval town wall can be seen in it’s original…
The Victoria Centre clock has stood proud in the shopping centre since it was created…
Bromley House Library, founded 1816, is a flourishing independent lending library…
Beloved by locals as a famous ‘meeting place’, Nottingham’s Left Lion is one of two stone…
A focal point for residents and visitors, Old Market Square is where friends meet,…
A historic wall which divided Nottingham’s Old Market Square for 700 years has been…
Nottingham Cathedral (the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas) was designed and built under…
Go Quest Adventures is turning the streets of Nottingham into an Adventure Playground! …
Anish Kapoor's Sky Mirror is a must see piece of art, located at Nottingham Playhouse…
Cave Escape is the newest addition to Nottingham's amazing escape room scene. Based…