Write On: An Introduction to Workshop Skills

You are invited to bring pen and paper, and in sessions 2-6, printed copies of your story or poem drafts when it is your turn to offer writing for workshop – word length of about 600 words for fiction, or 10-15 lines of poetry.

You may have attended our introductory course ‘Pen to Paper’ which looked at some starting points and basic techniques, but this is not compulsory: all are welcome if willing to try the weekly exercises and discuss drafts of writing. The classes will offer a friendly and supportive environment with all discussions facilitated by the tutor.

Tutor Sarah Law is a published writer and a lecturer in creative writing at London Met.

Date Session

14/04/10 1: Introductions, getting started, planning to write and workshopThis session will include lots of starting exercises. We will look at a practice ‘draft’ and learn about workshop skills such as offering focused praise or asking for clarification. Optional exercise to complete during the week.

21/04/10 2: Starting to Workshop looking at a couple of student drafts, and offering supportive readers comments. Discussing starting points, storylines and characters. Optional weekly exercise.

28/04/10 3: Workshop and Discussion Looking at a couple of student drafts, offering supportive feedback. Discussing point of view, voice and dialogue. Optional weekly exercise.

05/05/10 4: Workshop and Discussion Looking at a couple of student drafts, offering supportive feedback. Discussing image, setting and mood. Optional weekly exercise.

12/05/10 5: Workshop and Discussion Looking at a couple of student drafts offering supportive feedback. Discussing editing and revision skills. Optional exercise.

19/05/10 6: Review and Looking ahead. Reading out our revised drafts or favourite pieces. Discussing the ‘market’ , what to read next, and where to consider sending your work.

Suggested Reading

Writing Exercises (New Reading for Write On):

It’s not compulsory to buy these books, but we will be trying exercises from them throughout the course, which the tutor will set and bring along:

• Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter, What If: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers, Harper Collins 1991.
• Chase Twichell and Robin Behn, The Practise of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets who Teach, Harper Reference 1992.
• Jason Rekulak: The Writers’ Block: Ideas to Jump Start Your Imagination, Running Press 2001.

Texts previously recommended for Pen to Paper, and of continued relevance

General

• Julia Casterton, Creative Writing: A Practical Guide. London: Palgrave, 2005 (3rd edition)
• Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones. London: Shambhala, 1986
• Stephen King, On Writing. London, New English Library, 2001

Non-fiction

• P Miller, Writing Your Life Allen and Unwin 2002

Poetry

• N Astley (ed), Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times, Bloodaxe, 2003)
• John Hartley Williams and Matthew Sweeney, Teach Yourself: Writing Poetry Hodder, 2003

*****PLEASE ENROL ONLINE BEFORE SUBMITTING PAYMENT*****

For Concession Enrollment Click here              For Full Fee Enrollment Click here

*Concession fees apply to London Met staff, people on income support and senior citizens. Evidence of status will be necessary to enrol at the concessionary rate.

For further information, please see our website at
www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/hale/shortcourses/hal-short-courses/

Or contact
Hema Joshi
Short Course Administrator
020 7133 4398
ts000986@londonmet.ac.uk