Frequently asked questions: Beginning To Write

Please check here first if you have a question, and contact us if you have a question that hasn't been answered here.

I'm a complete beginner - I've never written anything creative! Is this course suitable for me?

Yes, absolutely! When we say 'beginners' we really mean it - you're not expected to turn up with a portfolio of work under your arm, though sometimes some students will have written bits and pieces before starting the class. Part of what a Beginners course will do is take you through steps such as identifying the material you want to write about as well as looking at various literary/poetic techniques and tools. It's a space for trying out a lot of new things and seeing what works for you.

I have a little bit of experience writing - is this course suitable for me?

'Beginning To Write' also suits individuals who haven't written anything in a while - perhaps not since school - or people who took a class years ago and are looking to get back into creative writing in a supportive and low-pressure 'beginners' environment. It may also suit people who write, but not creatively, as part of their jobs, e.g. journalists, lawyers, those working in PR, etc.

I've taken a couple of classes and/or been writing for a couple of years. Is a 'Beginning to Write' course suitable for me?

You may get something out of a Beginners course even at this level, but you may want to try Intermediate Creative Writing instead, which is our recommended follow-up course to Beginning To Write. It's also worth taking a look at our other course offerings, including specialist courses which may suit your needs more.

How much time will I have to commit to the course?

The course is 2 hours a week. Apart from this you will also be expected to devote a bit of time outside of the course hours to a) reading any material the course facilitator has provided and/or b) working on writing exercises.

How much writing will I be expected to do during the course?

There will be some writing within class time, with the option of reading work out to the group and receiving feedback. There will also be writing exercises or suggestions to work on outside of class time. By the end of the 10 weeks you are likely to have a handful of short first-draft pieces with perhaps one or two pieces of work you have devoted more time to.

Will I have to read my work out loud?

Reading your work is not compulsory, but strongly recommended, as it's a way of getting feedback from others in the group and it's often a good experience simply to hear how a piece sounds when read aloud.

What should I bring with me on the first day?

Pen and paper is all you need for the first day. Your facilitator will let you know what, if anything, to bring along for later classes.

What's the difference between Beginning To Write and Beginning To Write Fiction/Poetry etc?

Our standard Beginning To Write classes are 10 weeks long (or occasionally offered as 8 week programmes) and are a general introduction to all areas of creative writing - fiction, poetry, memoir, drama, etc - as well as looking at getting and developing ideas and finding and shaping material. We also offer shorter Beginning To Write classes focused on a particular area. Some of the material may overlap with our general Beginners' classes, while other material will be much more specialist. Students having taken a general Beginning To Write class would still benefit from Beginning To Write Children's Fiction, for example, but are likely to find that much of the Beginning To Write Fiction material is familiar to them. Beginning To Write Poetry may be taken by newcomers as well as those who have taken our standard beginners' class. If you're not sure about which would suit best, email us.