Have you always wanted to write, but never quite had the courage to start? This free course, Start writing fiction, will give you an insight into how authors create their characters and settings. You will also be able to look at the different genres for fiction.
You may also like to view a variety of related content on OpenLearn, we've collated a range of free content to enable you to take your learning further, with more in-depth, free features - including activities and exercises, interviews with writers and relevant free courses to support your learning and give you a wider perspective on this fascinating subject.
You may also like to watch a video of Dr Derek Neale, senior lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University read from his short stoy 'Land of their Fathers' and tell us what inspires him to write in an interview.
Become an OU student of Creative Writing
Find out how Creative Writing is taught at The Open University. Want to read more about Creative Writing? These books may help: A215 Creative Writing Workbook (The Open University), A363 A Creative Writing Handbook (The Open University), Writing Poetry by W.N.Herbert (Routledge), Writing Across the World: Contemporary writers talk edited by Susheila Nasta (Routledge), A World of Difference: An anthology of short stories from five continents edited by Lynda Prescott (Palgrave MacMillan).
The Open University offers a range of degree courses and modules in English Literature and Creative Writing. We will also offer an MA in Creative Writing from 2016, as well as our existing Masters in English .
To find out more about our range of short courses starting from £160 visit our short courses page.
Not ready for that step? Take a look at our free OpenLearn courses on this subject.
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Very interesting to listen to Derek Neales video, the prize winning story , the mars bar prize. It all starts somewhere, for me similar story ,we were all encouraged to write a short story titled 'a fox under his jacket' i wrote a much longer story than intended, but it was an escape for me and realised there was something there inside of me, like a passion. I was scolded by my teacher for swearing in the story. She said id spoilt a good story. That was a back handed compliment and was all I needed to hear. she had a valid point as she was also our RE teacher . Years later I visited a palmist , who said, do you write? I said no, not really, he said you should. I didnt need any more validation to write, that was enough for me, this course by Derek Neale, is a great stepping stone towards writing something more substantial in the future. Any one with any inkling towards writing, should try it. So thank you Derek, i really enjoy your short story too, there was a emotion and poetic feel to it .
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