Setting out on Your Writing Path with Liz McSkeane

Course Summary

This interactive, twelve-hour programme,  delivered over six two-hour sessions, is a relaxed yet focused introduction to writing short stories and poetry. It is aimed at beginning writers and those who may have had some writing experience in the past and would like to update their skills. The key elements of short fiction and poetry will be illustrated through reading of selected poems and stories, guided discussion and writing activities. Participants who wish to, will be encouraged to workshop their writing, in either small or large group. This involves giving and receiving feedback in a supportive setting.

Course Outline

Session 1: Introductions and expectations. What makes a poem: content, form, structure;

Introducing the short story ‒ setting the scene, introducing characters. The writing process: drafting, redrafting, editing.  Writing activity.

Session 2: Short Story ‒ Revisit story from last week – exploring plot and story; description of people and places; building a character. Writing Activity

Session 3: Short story ‒ Creating tension and conflict. Stimulus writing activity.

Session 4: Poetry ‒ Reflect on what makes a line; working with rhythm and rhyme.

Session 5: Poetry ‒ Free verse: what makes it ‘free’ and what makes it ‘verse’? Imagery, symbol, simile, metaphor. Different approaches to structuring a poem. Stimulus writing activity.

Session 6: Poetry and Fiction: Becoming alert to inspiration ‒ responding to myth, history and experience. Where to from here?

Participants will produce work during the course of the programme, partly in response to stimulus writing activities generated during the session and partly from assignment tasks to be completed, on a voluntary basis, between sessions. Those who wish can bring their developing or completed work to the next session and receive feedback from the group, if they wish, and from the facilitator. However, there is no obligation or pressure on participants to share their work unless and until they feel comfortable doing so.

Course Outcomes

Participants in this six-week course will achieve the following outcomes:

1.Explore their own voice and writing passions
2. Read a selection of poems and short stories
3. Explore key elements and tools involved in writing in general.
4. Explore some of the tools and elements commonly used in writing poetry.
5. Explore some of the tools and elements commonly used in writing fiction.
6. Practise developing a writing process, from prompt/inspiration, to rough draft, first draft and subsequent editing.
7. Gain practice in the workshop method, through collaboration and discussion with fellow participants
8. Produce at least one piece of writing, finished or at an advanced stage.

Liz McSkeane is a writer and publisher. She has four collections of poetry, one novel and a collection of short stories. In 1999, she was overall winner of the Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year for her poetry. Her historical novel Canticle was a joint winner in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2016. Liz has had a long career as an educationalist, including tutoring adult and higher education in a wide variety of subjects, including creative writing.

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