Course details

5 Wednesdays, starting 2 October to 30 October, meeting from 18:00 – 19:30 (CET/Amsterdam Time) for 90-minute online sessions. This creative writing course class size is 6 – 12 people. Price includes all fees. Families are rich material for stories. But how do you turn a part of your family tree into a fully realised piece of fiction? By combining your family history with an exploration of the basic elements of fiction writing, such as character, plot, setting and dialogue. You’ll work through a series of writing tasks, culminating in a finished short story or chapter of a longer work. The course is collaborative, with participants preparing ideas and drafts between sessions, working together to discuss, give feedback, and learn to edit their writing, all the time focusing on bringing their family-inspired story to life. Participants should come prepared with an anecdote or piece of information from their family tree, a ‘moment in time’ about their ancestors. We’ll use this to begin creative writing, culminating in a finished short story. This Course Will Help Writers: -Transform part of their family tree into a short story or the beginning of a longer work of fiction -Understand how to make family history into a compelling story for readers -Cover the essential fiction building blocks of plot, character, dialogue and setting -Collaborate with peers to refine ideas and drafts: work both independently and in a group setting -Receive and give constructive feedback: learn to share your work confidently with others About Your Instructor: Maggie Holman has more than forty years of teaching experience. She writes speculative fiction and has published five books, including The Wishing Sisters, The Knocking and Save the White Stag. Her writing has been longlisted at the Mogford Prize and the National Literacy Trust UK, and shortlisted by the Nature of Cities and SaveAs Writers.