The Pocket Guide to Creative Writing - CANCELLED (OL12L20A)

Course overview

This is a short course where you can seek and develop your own writing style through practical and sensory activities, exploring fiction and non-fiction forms of writing

Where This is an online course.

When Friday, 10:00am - 12:00pm from 25th September 2020 until 23rd October 2020 for 5 weeks.

Cost The full fee is £66.00. The concessionary fee is £34.00.

What you already need to know

You do not need any previous knowledge, just a passion for writing.

What you will learn

Experiment with a range of fiction and non-fiction pieces
Create a short story with engaging characters and a sense of place
Develop a descriptive piece of non-fiction work
Gain top tips and handy hints for editing your work
Feedback from an experienced creative writing tutor

How you will learn it

Using the online medium you will learn directly from your tutor as well as through presentations, videos, online resources and group discussion. You will have plenty of opportunity to develop your writing skills and your tutor will give you guidance and feedback.

Lisa Hilton has a Masters Degree in Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University and has written a number of short stories, columns, press releases and blog articles and is currently working on her first novel.

Bring to the first session

ACRES' online courses will be taught in real time using the video platform Google Meet, supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time.

You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or phone) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection.

Though it is not essential, you may choose to create a separate email account for your online learning (preferably Gmail which is most compatible with Google Meet). This will give you the added security to allow you to share your email address with your tutor and other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

At the start of the course and before each lesson your tutor will send you an invitation with a link to join the class and any further information including resources and equipment you will need for the lesson.


Materials and items you will need to do the course
One of your favourite books or a book by your favourite author
A creative notebook you can use for the whole course, pencils, pens, enthusiasm, and a love of writing

Extra study or practice

There will be opportunities for you to continue with your writing themes in your own time. You will find this supports your writing skills and develops your individual projects. You will also be encouraged to read widely, both fiction and non-fiction.

How to enrol

You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on 01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.

Previous students say

"Lisa was wonderful. Her enthusiasm and knowledge seemed to flow into me."
"I'm delighted, I've been wanting to write for years but never knew how to get started."
"This course has opened my mind to all sorts of different writing that I never thought interested me before."

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

During recent months, ACRES courses have been taught online and are proving very successful. We intend to continue to teach both online and classroom based courses and are hoping to return to face to face teaching in the New Year.
Lisa will be teaching both online and classroom based courses, ask her for more information if you wish to join her on another course.

Future steps beyond ACRES

After a creative writing course at ACRES, students might consider an academic creative writing course (eg Open University) or a residential week (for example with the Arvon foundation) or workshops run by New Writing South.

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

Please visit the ACRES website, see our brochure, or alternatively contact a member of the team on 01825 761820.

For other organisations, please consult their websites:
New Writing South - www.newwritingsouth.com
Arvon - www.arvon.org
The Open University - www.open.ac.uk

Further information will be provided by your tutor.