The Rudiments of Fiction with Alan McMonagle

Course Summary

This six weeks ‘beginners guide’ will steer participants through the elements of effective fiction writing. We will look at openings, voice, tone, point-of-view, characterisation, dialogue, language, setting and endings. We will examine how proven masters achieve their effects and apply topics covered to prompt-based exercises. Suitable for the committed beginner and those who may have been writing for some time.

Course Outline

Week 1: Beginnings: finding that ‘read-on’ opener.

Week 2: Voice: listen to me now, this story is for your ears only…

Week 3: Character: Four (or six) questions to ask your fictional creations.

Week 4: Dialogue: And how useful dialogue can serve your narrative.

Week 5: Point-of-View: Who is telling the story? And how? And why?

Week 6: Plotting. ‘Every self-respecting story has a beginning, a muddle and an end.’ Some thoughts on plotting (and endings).

Course Outcomes

An introduction to a wide variety of writing styles and voices.
A comprehensive exposure to the rudiments of effective narrative prose writing.
A readiness for participants to apply what they have learned to their own writing.
A desire and eagerness in participants to develop and progress their own writing projects.

Alan McMonagle has written for radio and published two collections of short stories Psychotic Episodes and Liar Liar. Ithaca, his first novel, was published by Picador in 2017, and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Award for first novels, the Dublin Literary Award, and shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. His second novel, Laura Cassidy’s Walk Of Fame, also with Picador, was published in 2020. He lives in Galway.