This Level II creative writing course runs for 8 weeks from 29 July – 16 September. The course meets online with 1-hour live sessions on Wednesdays from 20:00 – 21:00 CEST (UTC +2). Class size is 6 – 10 people.
This course is open to writers who have completed at least two terms of Level I. If you have a degree in creative writing or have taken numerous technique-focused workshops, contact us and we’ll help you find the right option.
Level II builds on the core skills acquired in Level I and introduces techniques specific to fiction and poetry. Fiction writers will be studying how to create tension, write effective dialogue, and craft compelling openings and satisfying endings. Poets will be looking at effective use of rhythm, repetition, line breaks, white space and figurative language.
In Level II you’ll continue to grow your writerly toolkit through weekly exercises and in-depth analysis of poems, stories and novel excerpts. The last quarter of the class is focussed on carrying forward an exercise—building towards a complete story or publication-ready poem. In addition, writers who’ve completed at least one term of Level II have an opportunity to submit a poem or story of up to 2000 words outside of the weekly exercises for critique.
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 Sunday. 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. We will be using a required anthology this term: That Glimpse of Truth: The 100 Finest Short Stories Ever Written, David Miller editor. It’s available online from most major retailers and if you’re based in Amsterdam, you can purchase a copy at Boekhandel van Rossum.
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.
