Start Writing Fiction

Overview

On this online course, established writers – including Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts and Monique Roffey – will talk about how they started writing.

You’ll consider the rituals of writing and keeping a journal; learn how to develop your ideas; reflect on your own writing and editing; hear writers talk about their approach to research; and start turning events into plot.

You’ll also have the opportunity to review the work of fellow writers and receive comments on your own, learning to read as a writer and respond to feedback.

By the end of the Start Writing Fiction course from The Open University by FutureLearn , you'll be able to:

• Apply and learn to write fiction and generate stories by creating characters

• Investigate notions of writing from your experience and from research

• Explore using a writer’s notebook to develop ideas and increase observational awareness

• Identify and realise the importance of other authors and works to develop your skills in reading as a writer

• Develop your awareness of editing, in developing your vocabulary of style and presentation

• Identify and realise the importance of exchanging work and critical comment with fellow writers