Short Course: Writing Short Stories

Tuesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, on 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October 2019

Birmingham & Midland Institute

A five-week short course on writing short stories, whilst drawing inspiration and learning from past masters.

The short story is a unique literary form, and one well-suited to current times.

If you have ever considered writing short fiction, are in the middle of writing it, or have already written several stories, come and join us on this five-week course.

We will take a brief look at the history and variety of the form, and try and work out quite what makes a great short story.

We will read stories old and new, and find out what makes them tick. We will face the tricky questions raised by beginnings, middles and ends, and build characters, plots and settings.

We will try our hands at writing different kinds of stories, from flash to realist to experimental. We will write what we know, and also reach into writing what we don’t know, and want to discover.

This course is open to all abilities, including beginners.

Biography:

C.D. Rose’s stories have appeared in anthologies and magazines, been featured on Radio 4 and listed for prizes. His books include The Neva Star, The Biographical Dictionary of Literary Failure and Who’s Who When Everyone’s Someone Else: Ten Lectures on Great Lost Books.

He has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, and a PhD in the short story from Edge Hill University. He is currently Teaching Fellow in Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.

Course dates:

Tuesdays, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, on 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 October 2019

Tea & coffee available (donations welcome) from 6pm in the Members’ Lounge.

Please note: you must sign up for the full course even if you cannot attend all dates. No partial course ticket is available.

Short Courses are for over 18s. If you are a young writer, you can sign up for our Spark Young Writers Programme.

All Writing West Midlands short courses are collaborative, and you will learn as much from your fellow course attendees as from the tutor. You will be expected to play an active role in group tasks, and you will also have time to reflect on your own writing during sessions.

Course handouts are sometimes (but not always) available, and notes may be available in advance upon request. If you have any additional needs, please contact Writing West Midlands in advance of the course starting and we will try to assist you.

Presented in partnership with the Birmingham & Midland Institute.