Writing Popular Fiction, a one-day online course with Eithne Shortall

Course Summary

An introductory course for those interested in writing a novel. It will focus on genre/commercial fiction, including thriller, crime, romance, up-lit and book club. Participants will study the most important components of a popular fiction novel, from the initial idea stage through to plotting, character development and the actual writing itself.

Course Outline

Participants will focus on the key aspects of novel writing. They will be invited to workshop their own writing as well as studying concrete examples from published work. Topics covered will include premise, plot, character development, dialogue, pace and setting.

Time will also be allotted for creative writing.

Participants are not required to share work or to have begun their own writing projects. However, they are encouraged to attend the workshop with an idea that they would like to develop.

Those who have already begun a writing project are welcome to submit up to 2000 words of their novel for feedback in advance of the course.

Course Outcomes

Participants should come away from the course with an understanding of the mechanics of a novel and the capabilities to undertake their own writing project.

Eithne Shortall is an award-winning author of five novels. Each of her books have been top ten bestsellers and her work has been translated into nine languages. She has published across genres, from up-lit to book club fiction and into thriller writing. She is the former chief arts writer with the Sunday Times Ireland.

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