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Creative and Life Writing

Module information>.

This course is designed as a progression of the concepts and practices introduced in Level 4 ‘Introduction to Creative and Life Writing.

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The course will help you to further develop an awareness of various – more sophisticated – contexts into which you write; and different techniques that can be used to draft, edit and prepare your work for eventual submission.

The course examines creative writing in its literary contexts, using texts that serve to best represent the fields of short fiction, poetry and life writing, providing you with the opportunity to survey and understand the contemporary canon. This course not only ties your writing practice very closely to the act of reading, but also begins to consider the reader’s role in the craft.

Mode of assessment: Coursework submitted through the VLE.

Prerequisite: The course Introduction to Creative and Life Writing [EN1022-03] is a prerequisite for this course.

Learning outcomes

If you complete the course successfully, you should:

• recognise the practical skills and techniques required when creating, drafting, editing and revising creative work.
• understand the nuanced differences between three distinct kinds of writing (short fiction, poetry, and prose and verse life writing) and some of their literary contexts.
• engage with literary texts studied on the programme as a reader and as a writer.
• practise writing short fiction, poetry, and a piece of life writing to a standard that reflects attention to revision and editing.
• independently develop an extended writing project in one of these three kinds of writing, incorporating feedback.
• reflect critically and meaningfully on your own writing practice, charting and articulating your own progression from Level 4 to Level 5.
• identify more fully the type of writing you wish to pursue in the future.

Essential reading

Among texts and authors which students may choose to study are:

Essential literary texts

• *Connell, J. The Cow Book . (London: Granta, 2019) [ISBN 9781783784189] or The Farmer’s Son excerpt from Granta [Granta subscription required to access full excerpt.]
• Davis, L. The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis . London: Penguin, 2014) [ISBN 9780241969137]. [OL]
• Khalvati, M. ‘Motherhood’ from The Meanest Flower. (Manchester: Carcanet, 2007) [ISBN 9781857548686]. [VLE]
• Olds, S. The Father . (New York: Knopf, 1999) [ISBN 9780679740025]; (London: Jonathan Cape, 2009) [ISBN 9788022409025]; (London: Secker and Warburg, 1993) [ISBN 9780436339523]. [The Knopf edition is available in the OL. Other editions are indicated as alternatives.] [OL]
• Sharma, A. A Life of Adventure and Delight . (New York: W.W. Norton, 2017) [ISBN 9780393285345]. [VLE]

Essential critical texts

• Anderson, L. and D. Neale’s Writing Fiction . (Abingdon: Routledge, 2009) [ISBN 9780415461559]. [OL]
• *Bell, J. and P. Magrs The Creative Writing Coursebook : Forty Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry. (London: Macmillan, 2001) [ISBN 9780333782255].
• Cline, S. and C. Angier The Arvon Book of Life Writing : Writing Biography, Autobiography and Memoir. (London: Methuen Drama, 2010) [ISBN 9781408122716]. [OL]
• *Karr, M. The Art of Memoir . (New York: Harper Perennial, 2016) [ISBN 978006222307].
• *Strand, M. and E. Boland The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms. (New York: Norton, 2001) [ISBN 9780393321784].
• Wainwright, J. Poetry: The Basics . (New York: Routledge, 2016) 3rd edition [ISBN 9781138823365]. [OL]
• Wood, J. How Fiction Works . (London: Vintage, 2009) [ISBN 9781845950934]. [OL]

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Help Centre

Ways into creative writing: intensive

Choose a start date.

• Taught: Tue, Daytime
• Time: 14:45 - 16:45
• Dates: 28 January 2025 - 04 March 2025
• Location: Keeley Street
• Tutors: William Brady
• Taught: Mon, Evening
• Time: 19:00 - 21:00
• Dates: 24 February 2025 - 31 March 2025
• Location: Online
• Tutors: KR Moorhead
• Taught: Tue, Evening
• Dates: 29 April 2025 - 03 June 2025
• Tutors: Suzannah V. Evans
• Taught: Thu, Evening
• Time: 18:30 - 20:30
• Dates: 01 May 2025 - 05 June 2025
• Tutors: Nicole Acquah
• Taught: Wed, Evening
• Time: 18:00 - 20:00
• Dates: 28 May 2025 - 02 July 2025
• Tutors: Eleanor Penny
• Dates: 03 June 2025 - 08 July 2025
• Tutors: Tasha Kavanagh
• Taught: Wed+Fri, Evening
• Time: 17:30 - 19:30
• Dates: 16 July 2025 - 01 August 2025
• Taught: Tue+Thu, Evening
• Dates: 05 August 2025 - 21 August 2025
• Tutors: Sarah Leipciger

Course Code: HW558

• Dates: 28/01/25 - 04/03/25

Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)

• Tutor: William Brady

Choose a start date  

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Any questions? [email protected] or call 020 4582 0415

Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

What is the course about?

This is a friendly and hands-on introduction to creative writing. You'll be encouraged to think in a creative way and to experiment with language in prose fiction, poetry and other forms. You'll gain a greater understanding of the devices and techniques used by writers, and you'll unlock your imagination as you begin to produce work of your own. This course is not designed for those wishing only to improve their grammar and punctuation skills. Students say: "It gave me discipline, courage and inspiration to write"; "Outstanding and inspiring - the classroom exercises were very helpful, and I feel that I've learned a good deal"; "It was very interactive and there was a positive atmosphere throughout the course"; "Well-paced and supportive." .

What will we cover?

- Exploring different forms of creative writing through fun exercises: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting - How to use figurative language in our writing, e.g.metaphor and simile - How to engage the senses in our writing - Writing prompts and games designed to stimulate creativity and unlock your imagination - Sharing our ideas and writing with confidence.

What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Produce original pieces of creative writing - Decide a clear personal goal for your writing - Identify your key writing strengths and challenges, and use this understanding to develop your writing skills - Identify different elements of craft in different forms of creative writing and demonstrate these in your own work (e.g. point of view, dialogue, imagery, character) - Demonstrate an understanding of figurative language in your work - Create sensory imagery in your own writing - Analyse and discuss pieces of creative writing with confidence and sensitivity.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an introductory course and no previous writing experience is required. You should be able to read and write fluently in English, and be enthusiastic about reading and writing.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Produce at least five original pieces of creative writing - Decide a clear personal goal for your writing - Identify your key writing strengths and challenges, and use this understanding to develop your writing skills - Identify at least five different elements of craft in different forms of creative writing and demonstrate these in your own work (e.g. point of view, dialogue, imagery, character) - Demonstrate an understanding of at least two types of figurative writing in your work - Apply each of the six types of sensory imagery in your own writing - Analyse and discuss pieces of creative writing with confidence and sensitivity All writing classes at City Lit involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work that will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on work from the tutor and students should be delivered in that spirit. For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit. For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines. City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit .

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring your own writing materials.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offers a fantastic range of creative writing courses covering all genres and levels of ability. If you would like to continue building your confidence at the introductory level, we recommend enrolling on 'Ways into creative writing', which is a longer course. You can also progress to 'Developing your creative writing', where you'll continue to experiment with a range of forms. Or you can take a course in a particular medium, including novel and short story writing, screenwriting, playwriting, and creative non-fiction. To browse our full range of creative writing courses, visit www.citylit.ac.uk/writing . All students are invited to join us at Late Lines , our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines , our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter .

William Brady is a lecturer at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and is from Dublin. In 2019 he received his PhD in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin and has presented his research in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Croatia. He writes and lectures on contemporary literature, war writing, and psychogeography. A passionate Gaeilgeoir, he is on the committee of Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain, which promotes and organises events relating to Irish language and culture in London. He is also a contributor to the Nuacht Mhall podcast, which delivers news and current affairs at a gentle pace for learners of the Irish language.

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.

Short courses in Creative Writing

Ever wondered how to write more creatively? Taught by professional authors and editors, our practical creative writing courses will help you explore your writing and develop your storytelling skills.

• Study at a leading London university with more than a decade’s experience delivering short writing courses
• Develop your writing within a safe and supportive environment
• Our courses have helped many students build careers as successful authors
• Join a community that champions inclusion and diverse voices – we offer a scholarship for our Novel Studio programme for writers from low-income households.

Creative writing short courses at City

With an impressive track record of published alumni, a thriving writing community – online and in person, and strong links to the publishing industry, City’s short creative writing courses have everything you need as an aspiring author.

You’ll be guided by a teaching team of professional fiction writers and editors. From beginners to advanced, our courses will help you progress your writing to the next level.

Hone your writing style

We’ve helped many writers explore different storytelling techniques and find their writing style. Whether you’re trying your hand at children’s fiction or dedicating time to your novel, we have a course for you.

We know flexibility is key for our short course students. That’s why we arrange sessions in the evenings and over the weekend. Looking for something more intensive? We offer one-day workshops and summer schools too.

Our Students

Find out more about our students’ journeys towards publication with the help of City short courses.

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