You’ll be asked to read or re-read two novels prior to the course, and through discussion, we will reflect on the novels’ structure, use of dialogue and character development, imagery and humour. You’ll then have plenty of time to write in response to the works and share your pieces with the rest of the group. You’ll learn how to analyse a great novel for not just the plot but also the key components of a novel, which will allow you to model those in your own writing.

This course is ideal for fiction writers looking to improve on their existing work or hoping to develop a new idea in this genre.

Books are chosen for their potential as interesting models from which to write. Focusing on humorous writing and the structure of linked short stories, the books to read in advance of the first session are:
•Diary of A Nobody by George Grossmith
•Pulitzer prize-winning Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Tutor: Polly Wright is a fiction writer, occasional performer and playwright, lecturer and artistic director of the arts in health company The Hearth Centre. The Hearth Centre has produced two anthologies: Turning the Page and Writing Begets Writing, published by Nine Arches Press, which showcase fiction and poetry which has been developed through the Reading for Well Being approach of modelling on published/classic writing. Over the last ten years, Polly has also led the successful Writers’ Reading Group at MAC and the BMI.

Course dates: Thursdays, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, on 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 May 2018.
Location: Birmingham & Midland Institute
Cost: £99

Further information and to book here