Venue: Bishopstown Library, Wilton, Cork

A Creative Writing Course/Workshop for practicing writers as well as beginners that tackles the demands of fiction, poetry, memoir, scripts and novel- writing and looks at ways into publishing.  This short course offers direction, impetus and encouragement to writers who want to start the process or expand their portfolio by branching into fiction, poetry, the memoir and/or the writing of essays and scripts. The so-called “Writer's Block” will be tackled and participants urged to move from the process of writing in isolation to produce readable, cogent and exciting work. Participants will close-read excerpts from stories, poems, articles, essays etc. and share some of the writings they find inspiring. Styles and tone of writing will be compared. Help with story-telling technique, point-of-view, use of the writer’s tools, language - syntax, grammar and avoidance of cliché’s - will be offered along with regular opportunities to experiment and discuss participants’ work. "

Over a period of ten, weekly two-hour sessions, participants will acquire learn new writing skills or improve on the craft.
The course will cover factual and fiction writing, thoroughly investigating the craft, it will range over numerous genres and consider the specific demands of writing a story, a poem, memoir and scripts for media. It will encourage and equip writers with technique, and tackle issues such as what to write and “writer's block”. It will probe options, assist with invention, character portrayal, plot making, and the writing of dialogue. The course will also examine poetry’s power and debunk some unhelpful myths. Exercises and assignments to “grease the wheels” will be proposed and course participants will be given regular opportunities to experiment, share and discuss their work. The course will also suggest reading material and issue handouts.

1.   The world of words. What writers say about writing. Ways to start. The writer’s tools. Sampling of genres.
2.   The habit of writing. The use of notebooks. The notion of inspiration.
3.   What to write. Planning and plotting. Triggering exercises.
4.   Unblocking the “block”. Attending to place, memory, details, feelings. Creating credible characters. Play-acting to imagine. Scene-setting.
5.   The nuts and bolts of good writing; a close look at technique. Points of view – who is telling the story? Trusting your narrator.
6.   Minding your language. Finding the right words. Writing to be read. First lines.
7.   Syntax, grammar. The rules and reasons to break them. Ambiguity and context. Striking registers.
8.   Listening to yourself. Style and tone. Emotional accuracy.
9.   Your voice. Your genre/s of choice. Staying on track.
10. Clarity, accuracy, and honesty. Using fact in fiction. Ways into print. Publishing.

Short courses are non-assessed

Colette Olney is a writer who also works in journalism and broadcasting

Regina Sexton, Course co-ordinator :  r.sexton@ucc.ie

Marian O’Keeffe, Course administrator :  marian.okeeffe@ucc.ie

Tel:  021 4904700

To register and pay please click the ‘apply now’ button

Students may also apply by completing the application form below and returning same with a cheque, postal order or bank draft made payable to UCC. Please return to Adult Education at The Laurels, Western Road, Cork by Monday 18 September 2017. Payment may also be made by calling to Adult Education during normal office hours.

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