Short story writing: evening

An introduction to the skills of short story writing. You'll learn strategies for creating or finding short stories, and narrating them - how to start, how to keep going, how to finish, and how to keep stories short without sacrificing essentials.

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Key course information

Dates
24/09/08 - 03/12/08

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Day(s)
Wed

Duration
11 weeks

Time
19:40 - 21:40

Fees ?
Full fee: £102
Senior fee: £102
Concession: £31

Venue
Keeley Street

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Course code
HW024

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
Email humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call
020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

Introducing you to the skills of short story writing.

Tutor Bio
Zoe Fairbairns' short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio Four and have appeared in anthologies including Tales I Tell My Mother, Despatches from the Frontiers of the Female Mind and By the Light of the Silvery Moon. She has also published stories in magazines such as Quality Women's Fiction, Cosmopolitan and The Mechanics Institute Review. Her latest collection, How do you pronounce Nulliparous? is published by Five Leaves. She has taught creative writing at the Arvon Foundation, at Morley College, in schools, in prisons, and at a shelter for homeless people. She has run writing workshops at the University of Minnesota USA, Deakin University in Australia, and the University of Havana, Cuba. Her novels include Benefits, Stand We At Last, Here Today, Closing and Other Names.

What topics will we cover?

How short is a short story? How long? How can you structure a short story? Do you have to know the end before the beginning? Should you write with a specific audience in mind? How do you make every word count, how do you find that telling detail? Do all stories have to be made up, or are they out there, waiting to be found? Who publishes short stories, and what is the best way of approaching them? How can you claim time for writing? And other related topics.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Write a very short story at one sitting
- Write a longer short story over a longer period, without it turning into a novel
- Assess your own work, making good use of other peoples critical comments
- Identify and develop good writing habits
- Find short stories in your everyday life and the lives of other people
- Respond with sensitivity and helpful criticism to the work of other students
- Learn from published short stories
- Know where to find information about opportunities to publish your work

What level is the course?

For students who are already writing - perhaps in different forms - and now want to concentrate on short stories. You should also be an enthusiastic short story reader.

How will I be taught?

You will be expected to do a lot of writing, in class and at home. Feedback from the tutor and the class will tell you whether you have written the story you meant to write, and written it well. When problems come to light (pacing? structure? difficulties with dialogue?) these will be addressed with class exercises and assignments. For this course writing is more important than reading, but please read as many published short stories as you can and be ready to talk about what you have learned from them.

Are there any other costs (e.g. certification, materials, equipment or books I need to buy)?

You will need pen and paper. And it will help if you can bring photocopies of your work for distribution to the class.

What feedback will I get?

From the portfolio of short stories that you write during the course. From the fragments of stories that never quite made it but which you are hanging on to for future use. From the feedback on your writing that you will receive from the tutor and fellow students You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

Will I have a chance to give my views on the course?

Yes, please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

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

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open daily 11:00 - 19:00 Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 14:00 Saturday during term and 12.00 - 17.00 Monday to Friday during non-term. See the programme guide for further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:
During term-time
Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30
Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time
Tuesday 17.30–18.30
Wednesday 12.30–13.30

Select another date / day / time

Dates Day(s) Time Duration Fees Snr Conc Code Availability
24/09/08 to
03/12/08		 Wed 19:40 - 21:40 11 weeks £102 £102 £31 HW024 Finished » Select
07/01/09 to
18/03/09		 Wed 19:40 - 21:40 11 weeks £102 £102 £31 HW025 Finished » Select
22/04/09 to
24/06/09		 Wed 19:40 - 21:40 10 weeks £93 £93 £28 HW026 Finished » Select

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Contact us

Humanities

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:
During term-time
Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30
Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time
Tuesday 17.30–18.30
Wednesday 12.30–13.30

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