Books

From inspiration to execution: how do you write fiction that engages a reader? 

Module details

  • Offered to 2nd Years
  • Mondays 16.00-18.00
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • Two-term module, worth 5 ECTS
  • Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
  • Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Degree credit module options by departmentHow to enrol

This module in creative writing will teach you to develop and refine your skills as a creative writer. The module allows you to explore your expressive potential as a writer and to boost confidence in your own imaginative powers.

You will explore the creative process in workshops using short stories, other fiction and essays. You will be encouraged to make creative use of your own scientific knowledge. You will be encouraged to draw upon your imagination within a structured and supportive framework, to produce writing that is both technically accomplished and capable of engaging readers.

Information blocks

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate skills as a creative writer, including how to create convincing characters, settings and storyworlds, how to handle point-of-view, time and plot and how to discover and hone your individual voice as a writer.
  • Develop and engage your critical faculties through discussion and analysis of short stories and other writing, and use these critical faculties to produce constructive feedback.
  • Reflect critically on EITHER the link between STEMM, creativity and empathy, OR the personal past and future creative journey.

Indicative core content

  • Term 1 will consist of interactive lectures, discussions, and in-class exercises. Each weekly seminar will focus on a particular aspect of the craft of creative writing centred around the required reading.
  • Term 2 seminars will take the form of a workshop as our focus moves from technical concepts, writing exercises and the published work of other writers towards analysing and improving your own creative writing.

Class of 2017

Learning and teaching approach

You will read one short story each week of Term 1. All required readings are accessible via the Leganto library service and the module VLE. During the class we will discuss the short story with attention to the craft topic of the week. Each seminar will include a breakout writing exercise with time for us to share work.
 
In Term 2 you will submit work for peer feedback and provide verbal and written detailed feedback for peers. Workshops are a key element in the progression of your creative writing since they provide you with a cross-section of constructive responses to your work.
 
In-class discussion and sharing of your creative work is a key part of both terms. As well as peer review you will receive detailed written feedback from the module tutor on your submissions during the workshop term, which you will receive through the module VLE. Feedback on your work from term 1 is intended to feed into your work in term 2.

Assessment

  • Exploratory piece of fiction - 1,500–2,000 words (30%)
  • Complete short story - 2,500-3000 words (50%)
  • Short critical essay - 700 words (10%)
  • Class participation (10%)
    - Contribution to class discussion
    - Active engagement in class exercises
    - Timely submission for workshop
    - Evidence of attentive reading of workshop material
    - Peer review: provision of constructive feedback on colleagues’ workshop submissions

Key information

  • Requirements: You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 85 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments and preparing for other assessments.
  • This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 5 module. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.‌
"The content is perfect for all levels and backgrounds of creative writing. The pace and variety of exercises is excellent. I particularly like the opportunity for open discussion. The homework is manageable and the feedback excellent."
"The class is very interesting, a really good change from science all week…. I look forward to Monday afternoon Horizons."