The creative writing course - write a newsletter or a book.

This lecture is all about ‘just starting’ and I use a number of examples to encourage you to listen to speech in a slightly different way. Rather than acknowledging what the other person says, try to imagine your version. It’s a little like repeating a conversation… but then adding description. The example of the question ‘How you doin’ everything OK?’ shows how to expand by writing about the character and room. ’

In the next lecture we'll be looking at pre-made openers and I'll look forward to seeing you then.

This .pdf is the outline of the beginning of a scary story.’ It could be developed by applying some of the ideas from lectures 1 & 2 - there’s excellent scope to add character, location description and more dialogue. One of the thoughts about this course is that I don’t want to put my words in your mind. It needs to be your creative writing ... this story development is your opportunity!

‘Just starting’ can be a little difficult, so, in this video we talk through some ‘pre-made openers.’ The idea is that you develop a bank of scenes that can be updated and altered to suit your story. The lecture uses examples of a man swaying, a small boy and a possible inflammatory statement.

In the next video we'll be looking at writing one sentence.. and then writing three more. I'll look forward to seeing you soon.

Here’s a good challenge to hone your persuasive skills. Your council wants to introduce a curfew for under 18’s … what’s your view? Are you in favour, or against? What are the issues?

This is perhaps the most useful lecture as it will help you to stop and see the text in the mind of the reader. With some (younger) students there is a tendency to ‘run on’ - get the story finished.

This lecture will encourage you to ‘paws’ (you need to watch the video to appreciate the joke!). I’ve given a number of examples of how descriptive writing can be added, without moving the story on too quickly

Here’s a great picture.

What do you know about this man? What’s his story? How did he get here? Where is he going?

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo da Vinci

Writing simply is perhaps the most powerful form of writing. In this lecture we explore how to have clarity and precision in your texts. A politician, news reader, journalist and subject specialist all have simplicity at the very heart of their message - we’ll talk through some of the key points.

Writing simply is certainly important, particularly when there are so many distractions and it’s easy for the reader to click on the next link story

Talking about organising your thoughts. In the next lecture we'll be working through sequencing your work.

Here’s a list of simple sentences that form the outline of a story. They need to be developed using all the techniques we’ve talked through.

In this lecture we talk through a creative device that will make your writing much more … creative. The use of flashbacks is a great way to add detail to a story, that would be difficult to add in the ‘here and now.’ Widely used in many Hollywood films, a good backstory adds interest and allows the reader to become much more immersed in the character. The motivation and reasons can be explained to create understanding and sympathy with the characters present situation.

Putting these random sentences into a sequence is a great exercise in focusing on the main story elements. Can you craft a story from a series of random events?

In this lecture I've used the planning grid to outline a story about a 'nearly retired' bank manager. The conflict arises as two characters emerge - one eagerly looking forward to a peaceful retirement; the other outwardly calm, but inwardly seething with resentment.

A final lecture with an overview of the main course points.