If you love writing fiction and want to know how to create a fully rounded story (or even write a book!) then this class is for you! Along the way, we will discover the books you loved and the books you read but didn’t enjoy, and we will also think about why you did or didn’t enjoy them. We will cover observational skills, how to write a believable character, how to use the 5 senses in writing, how to create great settings, how to use past or present tense, the difference between first- or third-person writing, how to create brilliant and believable dialogue, learn about genre, and how to edit your work. Along the way, we’ll be checking grammar usage but the main point of this class is to learn how to create something people will want to read. If you read a lot, you will already be aware that some successful writers break all the grammar 'rules' and people still want to read their work! Why? Because they have learned how to make their writing exciting! You can, too…

Week 1 (24th March 2022) Introduction to writing fiction
What is fiction? Discussion
What is non-fiction? Is it dull and boring or is it ever interesting? Discussion
Your favourite books are...? Discussion
Which books have you read that you didn’t enjoy? Why? Discussion
Who is your favourite author? Discussion 
Why do you think it is important to read and write for fun? Discussion
Grammar – we’ll read a couple of short extracts from a book and look at how the writer has made this fun to read. (Handout 1)
You'll choose your favourite book and answer the following questions: Did you already know what would happen in this book before you read it? Could you guess what was going to happen from the start? Did the author surprise you in the story? What would you change, if you had written the book? (If you wouldn’t change anything, why not?)

Week 2 (31 March 2022) Using the five senses in writing.
This week we will look at the five senses – how do writers use sight, sound, smell, taste and touch in writing? 
We will compare two paragraphs and explore how the writer made what essentially gives the same information into something fun to read simply by using the senses. Handout 2 - discussion
Using what they have learned, everyone will rewrite the paragraph in Handout 3.
Discussion about disabilities of the senses (sight, hearing). How can the writer use the other senses to make the character believable? 
Quick write: 1: What would a non-sighted person do in a particular given situation? Quick write 2: How would a non-hearing person show their feelings to a hearing person? 
You will write a short story about a walk on a beach, using the senses to describe the scene.

Week 3 (7th April 2022) Observation-based writing.
People watching – do good writers look more closely at the people and objects around them? Discussion.
You will be given scenarios to think about and we will talk about the different possibilities they offer. (Handout 4) 
You will try to write a paragraph about one of the scenarios – and will let your imaginations flow freely as there are no possible right or wrong answers to this. You will think about how your family and friends act (but won't tell us who you are thinking of!) and write an observation-based short story about something you see happen regularly. (Examples could be someone who rubs their nose when they’re telling a lie, (what are they lying about and why are they lying?) or blinks a lot when they have to speak (are they embarrassed, don’t like the attention, or is it simply a nervous tic?), someone who always wants to be the centre of attention or someone who hates being the centre of attention.)

Week 4 (28th April 2022) Writing believable characters
This week we look at characters – their physical descriptions, personality, tics, and habits. 
We will look at the picture of a character in Handout 5 and decide what we each think that person is like based on looks alone. Write down your ideas. Are they kind? Are they unkind? Are they happy or sad? Would they have any bad habits? What would their voice sound like? 
We will then read a short piece about the character shown in Handout 5. (Handout 6)
Were your ideas the same as the author’s?
Is it important to put a voice to a character? Can you base a character on someone you know already?
You will then write a paragraph with your own ideas about the character shown in Handout 5.
Sometimes the best characters in stories come from something really simple, like overhearing an old lady say she can’t buy crusty bread because her husband doesn’t like it. Why doesn’t he like it? Is he allergic to it? Does the smell make him ill if it’s in the house? Or is it that the old lady can’t eat it because she has false teeth and doesn’t want anyone to know? Your story can be as wild as you like – really let your imaginations go mad with this. It can be a scary story, a funny story or a sad story. Go with what you learned and have some fun with it.

The schedule for each week's lessons will be updated as the class progresses.