Writing Popular Fiction 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. They will be invited to initiate or work on their own project during the course.

Course Outline

Each week participants will focus on a different aspect 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. Each session will also include time for creative writing.

Students are not required to produce or share work but they are very welcome to do so and there will be time allotted for this.

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.