This course will guide participants through the process of writing a fable.

Session 1 will introduce participants to the fable genre. We will also look at the types of characters that pop up in fables - typically (but not always) animals - that symbolise various qualities. Why is this?
During the session, participants will choose a topic to base their own fable around and the characters that will feature in their fable.
Homework (HW) will be to describe their characters in detail.

Session 2 will look at dialogue and the way characters talk - how we can use language to convey character.
The visual history of illustrating fables will be introduced in brief.
Examples will be drawn from different fables - and the same fable told in different ways to show how setting and era can influence the way in which a character speaks - apart from personality traits.
HW will be to write out the dialogue scenes and plan out approaches to illustration.

Session 3 will look at the tradition of versifying fables. Examples of the tutor's own work in this area will be shared.
Participants will work on producing a short verse to use to introduce and close their fable.
HW will be to develop their fable further in poetry and prose and produce an illustrated version of their fable.

Session 4 will bring participants' work together, in a final show and tell session.

(Photo credit: Title: The fable of the hare and the tortoise by Franz Snyders, oil on canvas, c. 1630;
owned by the Prado Museum on deposit to Biblioteca Museu Victor Balaguer, BMVB-8618)
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-fable-of-the-hare-and-the-tortoise-franz-snyders/DwGTx8F7AVuzcA?hl=en-GB