Short Story Writing

You will learn how to write short stories for pleasure or publication, and you will develop and deepen your understanding of short story elements, such as character, dialogue, structure, plot, and setting.

Throughout the Short Story Writing course, you will develop your skills through writing exercises and professional feedback on your work. You will also critique the work of important contemporary short story writers.

By the end of the course, you will have written and workshopped one short story of 2000-5000 words. Each student will be assigned an in-class workshop slot of 20 minutes each for their story, and all students will give and receive verbal and written feedback on all stories workshopped in class.

This short story course enables both new and experienced writers to gain confidence in exploring and developing their creativity through short story writing, reading and group discussion. You will also have the opportunity to write and receive feedback on up to 2 short stories during the class.

Whether you wish to write professionally or as a hobby, you will learn the skills and techniques required to write successful short stories and develop them throughout the course.

Led by an experienced published writer and editor, you will not only learn the fundamental elements of a good short story, but also how to prepare and submit your work for publication. The course will also provide you with publishing ideas and resources for continuing your writing after the course is finished.

The course is delivered over 10 weeks online and is ideal for anyone looking for expert and inspiring tuition combined with maximum flexibility.

Who is it for?

Whether you wish to write professionally or as a hobby, you will learn the skills and techniques required to write a successful short story and develop it throughout the course.

Timetable

This Short Story writing course takes place every Monday over ten weeks.

City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

• Delivered by an professional writer
• Taught in small groups
• Awarded a City, University of London certificate

Over the course of 10 weekly evening classes on the Short Story Writing course, you will learn:

• Develop your creativity and critical thinking, as well as your editing skills.
• Practise a range of writing techniques from traditional approaches to more experimental methods.
• Receive professional feedback on your work from a published writer and editor.
• Gain insight into the writing industry, including publishing advice.

Course objectives:

• To complete and submit a short story of 2000-5000 words in the genre of your choice.
• To read, analyse and critique short stories by well-known writers, as well as those of your fellow students.
• To understand how a short story works on different levels.
• To learn strategies for improving your short story writing.
• To practise using different fictional devices and techniques.
• To engage with your work and others’ work both creatively and critically.
• To experience short story writing as a combination of imagination and disciplined practice.

Week by week breakdown:

1. Introduction
2. Ideas and Inspiration
3. Character
4. Dialogue
5. Plot and Structure
6. Setting and Descriptive Writing
7. Narrative and Point of View, Short Story Workshop 1
8. Genre and Style, Short Story Workshop 2
9. Writers' Resources, Short Story Workshop 3
10. Future Opportunities, Short Story Workshop 4

You will be assessed by three criteria:

• your contribution to class discussions;
• your in-class work and homework exercises;
• your submitted short story.

Throughout the course, you will receive ongoing feedback from both your tutor and your peers.

Short story writing applicants must have a passion for writing and reading, and an ability to meet deadlines. You will need to submit one short story to the tutor by the end of the course.

English requirements

Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English.

• Carter, A. 2010. Burning Your Boats: Collected Short Stories. London: Vintage.
• Carver, R. 2003. Where I'm Calling From: Selected Stories. London: Vintage.
• Darby, K. and Potts, C. Eds. 2012. London Lies. London: Arachne Press.
• Gordimer, N. Ed. 2004. Telling Tales. London: Bloomsbury.
• Taylor, J. Ed. 2012. Overheard: Stories to Read Aloud. Cambridge: Salt Publishing
• Mittelmark, H. and Newman, S, (2009) How Not To Write A Novel. London: Bloomsbury.
• The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook (annual). London: Macmillan.

• www.theshortstory.org.uk
  A general resource site that includes recent winners of the National Short Story prize.
• www.classicshorts.com
  Classic short stories to read online.
• www.short-stories.co.uk
  A selection of new and old short stories in a variety of genres.
• www.shortstoryradio.com
  Actors read new stories by up-and-coming writers. You can read the text or listen online.
• www.duotrope.com
  The single most useful site for the short fiction writer submitting or selling a short story nationally or internationally.