The Goldfinch 6 Week Creative Writing Course content
In six 90 minute face to face sessions at Goldfinch, surrounded by books, we will cover:
Beginnings, where writers get ideas, plots, hooks, and how to structure a story
Characters, details, archetypes and stereotypes, emotions and character arcs
Points of view, tenses, dialogue, showing versus telling
Conflicts, wants and needs, and the important elements that drive a story
Settings, locations as character, research tips
Endings, editing, where to go next…
Who is it for?
There’s only so much we can cover in six sessions. This course is truly an introduction. It sets out the key elements of successful story writing, with a chance to practise along the way. The course is delivered by Lou, a local published author.
The course brings the stages of writing a novel into focus. You will be encouraged to bring your own writing to the table, and share whatever you are comfortable sharing. The course therefore is intended for those writers who may be just starting out, or perhaps have been writing for a while but need a little bit of support or direction.
Perhaps you have written a novel or short story and are wondering what to do now. Or perhaps you are dreaming of writing a novel, but don’t know quite where to start. It is for those who may be thinking about forking out money for a writing course - which can often mean thousands of pounds of investment.
The course does not promise to be advanced, an impossible aim in just 6 weeks, but it does promise to provide a good, sound start to your writing journey.
Lou’s passion is historical fiction, but her course is applicable to most genres, apart from children’s picture books.
What’s Included?
Six 90 minute face to face sessions in a group of 8 to 10
Lou’s input on a section of your work in progress (if requested)
Tailored recommendations for each delegate for improvement, or next steps.
Course content available (forever) through the Goldfinch website member zone.
Build your network through Goldfinch to continue the conversation beyond the end of the course.
Opportunity to connect and make friends with fellow writers.
Meet a published author, and gain insights into the publishing world.
Write in a relaxed environment, with plenty of tea, cake and books!
What else do I need to know
Spaces are now open for our Sept 2024 course, so please complete the form if interested.
Course face to face sessions will be one evening a week (90mins) for 6 weeks, held in the Goldfinch bookshop on nights when the bar is closed to the public so we will have space and quiet.
Course fee is £195 per delegate payable in advance of the first session*.
Access to the online zone will be through password login for members only.
Wider Goldfinch membership is automatic on purchasing the course.
Free tea and coffee for delegates on course nights!
*Note that we have a small number of Goldfinch sponsored places on all our courses and Member Options for those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds, those with mental health challenges, and for those of limited means to cover the costs. Further details on request at application.
Who is the tutor?
Lou Morrish is a published author and librarian. Her debut novel, Operation Moonlight, won the 2019 Penguin Random House First Novel competition. She is currently writing another two novels for Penguin. She is a graduate of the Faber Academy Write a Novel course, and is a member of the Hampshire Writers’ Society, the Historical Writers’ Association, and the Society of Authors. She has been writing for more than two decades, and she intends this short course as an introduction to writing great stories, and a step on the way to seeing your work in print.
HOw do I sign up?
If you are interested, please get in touch through the form below. Please attach or send a link to your work (or provide a bit of a bio) so we can see what stage you are at (we want to make sure that the 8 to 10 delegates on the course are at the right stage to get the most from the modules, from the tutor, and from each other). Once we have 8 delegates, we will finalise dates and schedule the courses. Do not click through to buy the course until we have confirmed it is sufficiently subscribed and dates are fixed.
Alternatively, feel free to drop in to Goldfinch and have a chat with Gary, to see if it could be the right course for you.