Let’s Get Philosophical: Writing Philosophical Fiction with Rachel Handley

Course Summary

Participants will produce several short pieces of flash fiction during class each week.

For each class writing exercises will be provided throughout, as well as in-class feedback from myself and peers. The course introduces key philosophical themes found in different parts of both literature and philosophy and guides participants in writing in response to those themes. We will look at themes such as betrayal, awe, oppression, and more. In the last week students will be asked to share one piece written in the previous classes to discuss in more depth with the class. Participants are encouraged to read their pieces to the class before feedback is given, but this is not necessary.

Course Outline

Week 1: An Introduction to Philosophy + Fiction

• How do philosophy and creative writing interact?
• How can we incorporate philosophical themes into our fiction?
• How do we create a sense of character and build worlds at the same time?

Week 2: Writing Philosophical Flash Fiction

• How to write flash fiction with philosophical elements
• How do we build a world with such a short wordcount?
• What makes fiction philosophical?
• We will look at examples of philosophical fiction in class and write short pieces in response to various prompts.

Week 3: Philosophy and the Short Story

• How are short stories different from flash fiction?
• How can we develop our philosophical ideas into a short story?
• We will discuss examples of philosophical short stories in class and write the outline and start of a short story incorporating philosophical themes.

Week 4: Iris Murdoch, Philosophy, and Fiction

• A look at the philosophical novel through the work of Iris Murdoch.
• We will look at excerpts from Murdoch’s work and draw on both her fiction and philosophy to understand how and why her fiction is so deeply philosophical.
• We will experiment in class which Murdochian themed writing prompts.

Week 5: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Philosophy

• We will focus on two of the most philosophical genres: Science Fiction and Fantasy.
• You can expect discussion of sci-fi and fantasy excerpts as well as plenty of writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Week 6: Participant showcase + feedback session for selected pieces written during the course.

• In week 6 each participant will select one piece written in the previous weeks for class discussion. Participants will be able to read each other’s selected pieces in advance, and there will be an opportunity during the class for everyone to read their story, then be given constructive feedback by myself and their peers.

Course Outcomes

The aims of the course are
• to introduce participants to certain questions and themes from philosophy to help prompt their writing.
• to use Murdoch and Asimov as case studies during class to show how philosophy threads into fiction and vice versa.
• to have students come out of the course with several pieces of fiction on a range of philosophical ideas.

Dr Rachel Handley is an SFF author, poet, and philosopher based in Dublin, Ireland. Their work has been published by Poetry Ireland, The Martian Magazine, 365 Tomorrows, and Arlen House among many others. Their debut short story collection, Possible Worlds and Other Stories, was published in 2022. A story from their collection, The Sound, was longlisted for the British Science Fiction Award in 2023. Their poem, Dear Daughter, was shortlisted for the Dublin South Libraries Poetry Prize in 2023. Rachel is working on a second short story collection and a novel. They are a lecturer in philosophy at University College Dublin.

Testimonials

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.