Autobiography into fiction
Course
In London
Description
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Type
Course
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Location
London
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Start date
Different dates available
This course will help you develop techniques for transforming personal experience into fiction. You'll have the opportunity to improve your writing skills as well as your ability to give and use constructive criticism in a workshop environment.The TutorHelen Croydon is an author, journalist and broadcaster. Her first book, a fictionalised dating memoir, became a WHSmith bestseller in 2011. She’s also written a narrative non-fiction about modern models of relationships and her third book, out next year, is a memoir about transforming from city girl to endurance athlete. As a journalist she’s written for newspapers including the Telegraph, Times, and Independent, and for magazines such as Cosmo and Outdoor Fitness. She regularly reviews papers on Sky News or the BBC News Channel and works as a freelance producer for ITV News. She is also a successful media coach.City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
- Respond to, and assess, pieces of writing with sensitivity
- Write autobiographically-based fiction more effectively and confidently
- Identify and use some techniques for transforming personal material into fiction
- Identify and appreciate some of the issues around using autobiographical material in fiction.
You should bring paper and pens or pencils.
- Presentations by the tutor
- Writing exercises giving you practice in transforming personal material into fiction
- Class discussion of techniques and of the issues, problems and benefits of using personal material in fiction.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.
Reviews
Subjects
- Television Journalism
- Radio Journalism
- Online Journalism
- Magazine Journalism
- Newspaper Journalism
- Journalism Skills
- Freelance Journalism
- Writing
Course programme
- How to fictionalise, including: how to start, how to focus, and find a story-line and theme
- Recasting and changing elements of the original “true” story including fictionalising people and events
- Using different voices
- Exploring dreams and fantasy as a way to fictionalise;
- How to stay in touch with the emotional truth within the fictionalised version while navigating the problems and benefits of using personal material in fiction
- How to use journals.
Additional information
Autobiography into fiction