An inspiring, practical course designed to help you find confidence and inspiration in your creative writing and develop your ideas and characters into stories.
7 starting dates
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Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £290 (no VAT)
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
- 9 places leftBook now for 13th July start
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Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday and Wednesday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Time: to
- Fees: £299
(£269 with discount)
(no VAT)
Save £30 - book by 31 Aug 2026
- Occurs: Monday
- Course code: CS1201
- Location: Online
- Booking deadline:
Want to find out more?
Testimonials
An Approach to Creative Writing Course overview
On this introduction to creative writing online short course you will learn the key elements of fiction writing, particularly in relation to short stories and novels. Subjects covered include characterisation, plotting, dialogue, point of view, voice, and how to develop ideas for stories.
You will also learn how to support your practice as a writer, how to revise and edit your own work, and gain insights into the publishing industry.
This creative writing course is ideal preparation for our Short Story Writing and Novel Writing and Longer Works courses.
Weekly Structure
Over six weekly sessions, the course follows this progression:
- Week 1: Finding inspiration and getting started
- Week 2: Character creation and development
- Week 3: Plotting your Story (plus Workshop 1)
- Week 4: Point of view (plus Workshop 2)
- Week 5: Finding your Voice (plus Workshop 3)
- Week 6: Next steps and Open Mic!
A fully funded place is available on each course for a writer from an underrepresented background and/or facing financial difficulty. To apply for this, please contact the tutor Emily.Pedder.1@citystgeorges.ac.uk explaining why you'd like to attend.
Who is it for?
Perfect for aspiring writers ready to take their first steps into creative writing, whether you have story ideas brewing or simply feel drawn to explore your creativity through words. Our Approach to Creative Writing course will give you inspiration and guidance on how to begin writing creatively.
Find out more about our Creative writing and publishing courses
Timetable
See starting dates for available formats.
City St George's Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms:
- Autumn - October
- Spring - January
- Summer - April
Benefits
- Led by a professional editor and writer
- Flexible online teaching
- Awarded a free City St George's, University of London certificate
What will I learn?
Over the course of 6 weekly evening classes on the Approach to Creative Writing short course, you will explore:
- How to find inspiration for your writing
- How to feel more confident about your creative writing and sharing your work
- How to create characters, develop plots and use different points of view
- How to find your writing 'voice'
- How to identify craft questions to help redraft your writing
- How to give and receive constructive feedback
- How to assess, revise and edit your work
- Opportunities to publish your own work
Assessment and certificates
Informal assessment will take place through group discussion, class room activities, and questions and answers sessions as guided by your tutor.
You will be awarded an official City St George's, University of London certificate if you attend above 70 per cent of the classes, however, our short courses are not formally accredited.
Eligibility
No prior knowledge needed.
English requirements
Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Recommended reading
This reading material is entirely optional but are books the tutor has found useful in approaching creative writing:
Starter texts:
- The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron, Souvenir Press, 2020
- Steering the Craft, Ursula Le Guin, Mariner Books 2015
Additional recommended reading:
- On Writing, Stephen King, Hodder 2012
- Reading Like A Writer, Francine Prose, Union Books, 2012
- Into The Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them, John Yorke, Penguin Books 2013
Tutors
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Emily Pedder
Course Director
Emily Pedder’s short fiction has been published widely and has won several prizes, including a Commonwealth short story award and a Ruth Rendell short story award.
Emily has an MA in Writing from Sheffield Hallam, where she founded Matter, a literary anthology. She is a firm believer in the importance of mentoring emerging writers and the power of a good edit, and has worked extensively with writers across the UK for more than 20 years. Emily course directs the Novel Studio, which she co-founded, as well as heading up the writing short courses at City St George’s. More recently she set up an editorial consultancy: The Book Edit.
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Jason Donald
Visiting Lecturer
Jason Donald (teaching 01 June - 06 July and 13 July-17 August courses) was born in Scotland and grew up in South Africa. He studied English and Philosophy at the University of St. Andrews and received his MA in Creative Writing from Glasgow University. His debut novel, Choke Chain, was shortlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award. Dalila, his second novel, was shortlisted for the Saltire Best Novel Award. Jason lectures in Creative Writing on the MA Creative Writing at City St. George’s University in London and is currently writing a memoir.
