Ever wanted to write a story but felt you don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’re already working on a writing project and want to spend some time thinking in a focused way about technique.

This five-week course is for beginners as well as for more experienced writers. The aim will be for each participant to complete a short story over the five weeks, spending some time writing during the workshop as well as some at home if possible.

Each two hour session will focus on one aspect of the writing process. In the first session we’ll explore story generation. In the second, we’ll think about the shape and structure of a story and how to maintain a reader’s interest. In the third, we’ll look at dialogue and description. In the fourth, we’ll discuss the climax and resolution of a story. In the fifth we’ll discuss the editing process. Each class will include writing exercises as well as time spent writing, sharing work and giving and receiving constructive, friendly feedback. The aim is for the workshop to be a supportive, collegial space in which everyone can have fun freeing up their imaginations.

The workshops will be led by Cate Sampson, a crime writer, who has published six novels with Simon & Schuster and with Macmillan.

Price: £80 for the five-week (10-hour) course

Dates:

• Wednesday April 25th 1pm-3pm
• Wednesday May 2nd 1pm-3pm
• Wednesday May 9th 1pm-3pm
• Wednesday May 16th 1pm-3pm
• Wednesday May 23rd 1pm-3pm