Life Writing
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Who is it for?
A course to help you to tap into your memories and family stories, and to discover your true voice. Each class will inspire you with extended writing exercises, strategies, tips and motivation to help you practice and refine your life stories. This course is for everyone, from beginners up for a challenge to seasoned writers looking to energise thier work. Come with a strong desire to write and read eclectically
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What does it cover?
- Developing skills and motivation to write from real-life.
- Editing your work with more confidence.
- Giving and receiving supportive feedback.
- Appreciating the art of memoir, family memoir and biography.
- Know some outlets for publication. -
What will it be like?
Writing exercises: techniques, tips and strategies to practice and improve your writing and boost your confidence. We will discuss the potential problems of sharing/over-sharing real-life stories and how the fear of this might hold us back. Each week there will be opportunities to share your work on a rota basis.
Reading: we will read extracts from great memoir and fiction. Don't worry if you're not an avid reader, this is the opportunity to be exposed to an eclectic range of writing and discover new passions.
Assessment: we will workshop writing in class in a supportive way. There will be opportunities to develop your opinions and critical assessment in order to become a more confident editor.
At the end of the course we will hold a showcase where you will have the chance to share an edited piece you can be proud of and receive brief written feedback from each member of the group.
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What else do I need to buy or do?
Bring pen and paper.
Fill your notebooks with new writing over the 8-week course and beyond. -
What could it lead to?
A chance to
- Experiment or kick-start your writing practice.
- Take yourself more seriously as a writer.
- Get support to clarify your writing project.
- Generate work with a view to publishing.
- Go on to further study, either continue with life-writing at Mary Ward or try other creative writing classes and qualifications.
- Meet other students and set up independent writing groups and communities
Available Courses
Life Writing
Tap into your memories, discover and value your true voice. Each class will inspire you with writing exercises, strategies, tips and motivation to help you in your writing life.
Monday, 18:15 to 20:30
Course Code:720
Monday, 18:15 to 20:30
Course Code:721
Monday, 18:15 to 20:30
Course Code:722
Can't see what you want?
Write Here! Write Now!
Whether writing from life or imagination, a first timer or an old hand, carve yourself a couple of hours’ writing time each week - no homework, no assignments, just supportive workshops which are designed to crack open the brand new writing in you.
Monday, 14:00 to 16:30
Course Code:725
Monday, 14:00 to 16:30
Course Code:726
Monday, 14:00 to 16:30
Course Code:727
L1 BEGINNERS CREATIVE WRITING
Practical sessions with an emphasis on building skills, sharing work in a supportive environment.
Tuesday, 12:30 to 14:45
Course Code:701
Tuesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:704
Tuesday, 12:30 to 14:45
Course Code:702
Tuesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:705
Tuesday, 12:30 to 14:45
Course Code:703
Tuesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:706
Level 2: Improvers Creative Writing
For those who have done at least one year of work in a writing group at Level 1 and who are working on their own projects. Looking for more direction and commitment in your writing? These courses address questions of self-discipline and risk-taking and are designed to develop and hone your skills.
Wednesday, 14:00 to 16:15
Course Code:707
Wednesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:710
Wednesday, 14:00 to 16:15
Course Code:708
Wednesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:711
Wednesday, 14:00 to 16:15
Course Code:709
Wednesday, 18:00 to 20:15
Course Code:712
Meet The Tutor
Andrea Watts has been teaching creative and life writing at Mary Ward Centre since 2014. She has an MA in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths University (where she was shortlisted for the Pat Kavanagh Prize), and a BA in Fine Art & Critical Art Practise from Chelsea School of Art. Her stories have been published in anthologies and placed in competitions, most recently Visual Verse 2022, shortlisted for Bridport Prize 2022, and published in Brick Lane Bookshop Anthology 2020. She has an informal and supportive approach to teaching. You will be encouraged to use warm-ups and prompts to come up with new ideas and follow your own projects and interests. The emphasis will be on lots of in-class writing, group feedback, recommended reading and lively discussions.
Previous students have grown bodies of work in fiction, memoir, and fictionalised biography, some of which have been published. For those who want to take their writing further there is also the opportunity to form your own writing groups with fellow writing students in addition to the classes. Each term is stand-alone and unique so can be taken as a one-off or repeated as often as is useful to your progress. Each writer is supported to go at their own pace and develop their critical and listening skills. In this way the classes are suitable for beginners to more confident writers who want to reset their practise.
Andrea Watts teaches Life Writing and Write Here! Write Now!
For more information contact The Departmental Administrator at admin@marywardcentre.ac.uk
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