Writing the Short Story

Tutor: Jacq Molloy
Level: Suitable for all
Date: A one-day course: Thursday 16 May 2024, 11am-5pm
Price: £125

Course details
“A short story is the ultimate close-up magic trick – a couple of thousand words to take you around the universe or break your heart.” Neil Gaiman

Short Stories offer glimpses into the lives of characters: they can capture a moment or an experience via searing intensity or in an understated way. They pull the reader in close, hold them there, then release them: often leaving a lingering impression. They are a beautiful and powerful form, where a reader’s imagination can be captured via a few thousand well-chosen words.

During this one-day course, we will develop skills and techniques through reading/discussing short stories and undertaking writing exercises. We will focus on key techniques such as Characters, Time, Setting, Point of View, Showing and Telling, and Style. The aim is to develop deep understanding of how to structure and write a short story This course is suitable for writers with/or without experience of short story writing.

Materials to bring
A laptop and/or notepad and pen

Materials included
N/A

Equipment provided
All necessary equipment will be provided for use on the course.

About the tutor
Jacq is an award-winning short story writer and playwright, and has freelanced for many years as an arts writer for magazines/newspapers. Her short stories have won/placed in competitions such as Mslexia Magazine short story competition, The Brighton Prize, Frome short story competition and been published in anthologies. She has been a creative writing tutor for twenty years and also coaches writers who have subsequently published. Jacq has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Sussex University and is a Certified Writing Coach through NAWE, (National Association of Writers in Education). She loves supporting writers to achieve their writing aims.

General information
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over.
The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are plenty of local venues to purchase food locally, if needed, though we recommend that you bring a packed lunch.

Refunds and cancellations
Cancellations are permitted up to 6 weeks before the start of a course and subject to a £35 cancellation fee. Refunds will not be given for cancellations less than 6 weeks before the start of a course.

Students who do not attend due to illness, personal or professional commitments do not have the right to a refund. For this reason, we recommend that students take out personal insurance against any unforeseeable circumstances before the start of their course. It is not possible to transfer to future courses.

We reserve the right to cancel a class in unusual circumstances. We try to avoid this where possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. In this situation, a full refund will be given. We’re sorry that we cannot be financially responsible for extreme weather conditions, travel disruption or any other situations that are outside our control.

Access
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: bookingsoffice@westdean.ac.uk

This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Disclaimer
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.