Creative Writing - Short Stories - Beeston Library - Adult Learning

Do you enjoy writing short stories, or fancy having a go? Perhaps you enjoy reading short stories and wondered how you might write your own? If so, this course is for you. You’ll be introduced to some of the different elements of short story writing. You learn about creating characters, dialogue and plotting. You will also engage in a variety of creative writing exercises with the goal of producing and editing your own short story or piece of flash fiction. Share and discover the appeal of short stories and learn how they can be crafted. Join a published author for a series of creative writing tips and exercises, with prompts, videos and discussion, as we look at how to create characters, plots and dialogue, as well as editing.

You will be given resources and ideas to spark your stories. Suitable for anyone aged 19+ with an interest in short fiction. You don’t need to have written a story before as this course is suitable for beginners. Experienced writers will also benefit from taking this course.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Generate and develop original ideas for short fiction using prompts.

• Create believable characters with defined motivations, traits, and development arcs.

• Write realistic and purposeful dialogue that enhances character and plot.

• Explain the difference between plot-driven and character-driven narratives.

• Edit and improve your own prose with attention to clarity, tone, and structure.

• Recognise how short story writing can enhance transferable skills such as creativity, written communication, and attention to detail for employability.

What you will need to bring to the course:

Suggested Reading for the course:

How to Write Short Stories and Get Them Published by Ashley Lister