Category Archives: University of Edinburgh

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Writing Courses and Character Masterclass

Every August the University of Edinburgh offer short courses. This year they have a number on Creative Writing. For more information check below:

  • Screenwriting: an Introduction to Writing for Film and Television - 6 - 10 August 2012, 10am – 4pm11 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9LW. Fee = £150 Write a screenplay in a week! This fun and interactive course will explore the process of writing for screen, from idea to finished script. It will show how to generate ideas, develop a story for visual drama, flesh out characters, write sparkling dialogue, and get it all down in professional script format. No previous experience necessary – just bring enthusiasm and imagination!
  • Storytelling – Developing the Art and Craft of the Storyteller - 15 - 17 August 2012, 10am – 4pm11 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9LW. Fee = £90. Storytelling is alive and well in Scotland today. Join us in this three-day workshop to learn about this rich part of our cultural heritage and practise the storyteller’s art. You will learn from a professional storyteller how to engage an audience, how to use voice, dramatic gesture and animation and how to breathe life into a story.
  • Painting with Words: Creative Writing Inspired by Art - 22 - 24 August 2012, 10am – 4pmScottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Fee = £89 This course offers an excellent first step into creative writing. This is a three-day summer course in creative writing inspired by artist-led tours of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery with guest artist: Emily Learmont. In the morning, students will meet in Reception at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The afternoon writing workshop will be held at the University.
  • Writing Inspired by Nature - Wednesday 29 August 2012, 10am - 4pmWater of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road Edinburgh. Fee = £46 Nature is a wonderful inspiration for writers. In this course you will spend some time in nature and write a creative response to the experience. The course will take place at the Water of Leith Conservation Trust Visitor Centre (accessible by bus) and will include a field trip along the river. You will develop your wildlife observation skills and your writing skills.

And finally, the Filmhouse Cinema Edinburgh are offering a Character Masterclass. Join BAFTA-nominated actor Johnny Harris (This Is England 86) and writing legend Jim Cartwright (Little Voice) and hear from each how they started and what they have learnt along the way. Enjoy a lively discussion around writing and acting for the screen, hosted by Mia Bays (producer of Oscar Winner Six Shooter) and paying particular attention to characterisation and the spark that can emerge when writers and actors work closely together. This event will include screenings of Jim Cartwright’s short film King of the Teds, and Home, starring Johnny Harris.

The event is FREE and you can book your tickets through the Filmhouse Website

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University of Edinburgh Spring Writing Courses 2012

The University of Edinburgh’s Spring Writing Courses start on Monday (sorry for the short notice) however, there is still some spaces left on a few of them. They are:

  • Experimental Writing – Mondays from 16th January 2012 (11 classes) 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Bowhill Room, 11 Buccleuch Place. £93.00/£62.00 conc. Kundera often asked how the novel would have developed had Sterne’s Tristram Shandy had more of an influence on novels from the 18th Century onwards instead of realism becoming an overarching style. This course introduces eminent innovative writers and the opportunity to experiment with approaches such as Surrealist techniques and the use of contrapuntal devices (magic/realism; facts/fiction).
  • Fiction Workshop - Tuesdays from 17th January 2012 (10 classes)10:00am – 12 noon • Dalkeith Room, 11 Buccleuch Place •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Write excellent fiction! Create scintillating characters and formidable plots. Hone your style and learn how to present your work professionally. Each week in a workshop setting the student offers a sample of his/her work in progress for group feedback. Individual, in-depth analysis and criticism offered by the tutor.
  • Magazines and Microphones - Wednesdays from 18th January 2012 (6 classes)6:30pm – 8:30pm • Pentlands Room, 12 Buccleuch Place •£51.00/£34.00 conc. The Scottish literary scene is exploding with new print magazines, online journals and performance opportunities (e.g. Gutter, Fractured West, Inky Fingers, and The Golden Hour) and writers are increasingly expected to take part in public readings of their work. This course aims to combine writing short stories for publication, together with developing the skills to take part effectively in public readings.
  • Ripping Scripts (Course 2) - Thursdays from 19th January 2012 (10 classes)6:30pm – 8:30pm • Music Room, 11 Buccleuch Place •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Continuation of course 1. Why not make a drama out of a crisis? This interactive drama-writing class explores the process from page to stage. A chance to monologue, dialogue, scene-set and develop your all-round script-ability. New students welcome.
  • The Art and Craft of Children’s Fiction - Wednesdays from 18th January 2012 (10 classes)6:30pm – 8:30pm • Room 2.2, 10 Buccleuch Place, 2nd floor •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Children’s fiction is enjoying a huge popularity and many people wish to write stories for them but much of this enthusiasm lacks a modern awareness. This course will give you a good grounding in the craft. It will introduce you to the market, make you aware of contemporary children’s fiction and equip you with the tools to succeed in this highly competitive world.
  • Write that Story (Course 2) - Thursdays from 19th January 2012 (10 classes)2:00pm – 4:00pm • Bowhill Room, 11 Buccleuch Place •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Always wanted to write but can’t get started? Even if you are a complete beginner this course will stimulate you to write, using simple exercises and discussions to reveal techniques of storytelling from construction to creating characters. New students welcome.
  • Writing Drama for Radio - Tuesdays from 17th January 2012 (10 classes)6:30pm – 8:30pm • Dunbar Room, 9 Buccleuch Place •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Explore the world of ‘sound only’ and write a drama or fiction for radio. Work centres on plot, character, casting, sound effects and suitable dialogue. With the help of appropriate exercises and feedback from the class and tutor, the student will write a short radio play.
  • Writing Really Short Stories (Course 2) - Mondays from 16th January 2012 (10 classes)6:30pm – 8:30pm • Dunbar Room, 9 Buccleuch Place •£85.00/£56.00 conc. Continuation of course 1. Short of time to write? Only one piece of paper? Flash fiction, or the short-short story, has become very popular in recent years. A flash story can be completed in an hour but offers different challenges and new opportunities for publication. Suitable for beginning to intermediate writers. New students welcome.

To see all the courses being offered please visit the University of Edinburgh Open Studies Homepage

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University of Edinburgh Writing Courses Autumn 2011

The University of Edinburgh has just released its Open Studies Autumn Courses. Starting in September, there is a large number of Writing Courses. Due to the amount of coures I’m only going to provide the name of each course and basic information about it (start date, length of course etc) To find out more please click on the name of the course:

To see all the courses being offered please visit the University of Edinburgh Open Studies Homepage.

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University of Edinburgh Writing Courses

The University of Edinburgh has just released its Summer Courses for August. A number of them are Writing Courses and for more information please click on the links below:

Writing Inspired by Nature 1st of August 10am-4pm
Nature is a wonderful inspiration for writers. In this course you will spend some time in nature and write a creative response to the experience.

Screenwriting: an Introduction to Writing for Film and Television 1st-5th of August 10am-4pm
This fun and interactive course will explore the process of writing for screen, from idea to finished script. It will show how to generate ideas, develop a story for visual drama, flesh out characters, write sparkling dialogue, and get it all down in professional script format.

Poetry in Performance 8th-9th of August 10am-4pm
This course offers an excellent first step into the world of performance poetry. You will be introduced to diverse forms of spoken word/performance poetry before learning how to write your own poetry specifically for performance.

From Picture to Story 12th of August 10am-4.30pm
Write a short story or poem using a work of art as inspiration. You will view a selection of paintings in the National Gallery of Scotland and select one to create a short story or poem.

Stunning Stories and Powerful Poems in a Week 15th-19th of August 11am-4pm
Come and learn how to create interesting characters and intriguing plots, and to bring your poetry to life by experimenting with technique.

For more information or to see all the courses being offered please visit the University of Edinburgh Summer Courses Homepage.