This Level II creative writing course runs for 8 weeks from 14 October – 9 December, with a hiatus 18 November. The course meets online with 1-hour live sessions on Thursdays from 20:00 – 21:00 Amsterdam time (CET). Class size is 6 – 10 people.

REQUIREMENTS

This course is open to writers who have completed at least two terms of Level I or equivalent training and by permission of the instructor. If you’re new to our group, please drop us a line before registering.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Level II builds on the core skills acquired in Level I and introduces techniques specific to fiction or poetry. This course focusses primarily on fiction. You will be studying how to create tension, write effective dialogue, and craft compelling openings and satisfying endings.

In Level II you’ll continue to grow your writerly toolkit through weekly exercises and in-depth analysis of example pieces. We will read and analyse at least three stories during the term. The final third of the class is focussed on carrying forward an exercise—building towards a completed story. In addtion writers who’ve completed at least one term of Level II have an opportunity to submit up to 2000 words outside of the weekly exercises for critique.

We will be using a required anthology this term: That Glimpse of Truth: The 100 Finest Short Stories Ever Written, David Miller editor. You can purchase a copy at Boekhandel van Rossum or it’s also available from most major retailers (also as an ebook).

The Level II curriculum is designed to give you a toolkit of fiction or poetry-specific techniques over the course of two to four 8-week terms, depending on your goals, focus and experience.

We currently teach four core levels of courses—each level (usually completed over multiple consecutive terms) builds on the skills and techniques taught in the level before, and at the end of every term your instructor will help you decide on the best path forward.

HOW IT WORKS

We’ll have a weekly live online session. You can join the session via computer, phone or tablet. The default for the session is audio but you can choose to enable your device’s video camera (the teacher is usually on video) or participate via text chat (you’ll still need to be able to hear). If you can’t attend the live session, don’t worry—you’ll receive notes and access to a recording so you don’t miss anything.

You’ll upload your exercise by the following Tuesday. Critiques are given in writing via our online platform before the next live session. To participate you’ll need a computer and a reliable internet connection. Headphones are optional but highly recommended.

The Level II curriculum is designed to give you a toolkit of form-specific techniques over the course of two to four terms, depending on your goals, focus and experience. At the end of every term your instructor will help you decide on the best path forward.

OUR REFUND POLICY

No matter how early you register, if something changes and you can’t join the course, you can let us know at least 72 hours before the first class (so we can offer your spot to someone else) and we’ll give you a complete refund. You can find the full details of our generous refund policy in our terms.