Creative Writing – an Introduction (Stage 1)

Ages: 18+
Term: Autumn, spring
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

This welcoming introductory course is designed to help you discover, develop and trust your writer’s voice.

To book your place today, simply click Book Now to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates. 

Course information

With an emphasis on experimentation, play and creative risk-taking, you’ll take part in a series of practical exercises and group activities designed to spark ideas, build confidence and help your writing flow with greater flair and fluency.

Each week focuses on a different core element of creative writing, including character, dialogue, setting, plot and story, as well as techniques such as show vs. tell and writing strong beginnings. Sessions are highly practical, allowing you to explore what works for you as a writer while gaining a solid understanding of the fundamentals.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a toolkit of essential writing skills that can be applied across a range of forms, including short stories, novels, film, stage or television scripts. You’ll receive ongoing, constructive feedback from the tutor in a supportive and encouraging environment.

You’ll also be encouraged to write between sessions and, if you wish, share your work with the group for feedback. Sharing is always optional, allowing you to work at a pace and level that feels right for you.

Exploration of key elements of creative writing, including:

Character and character development
Dialogue and voice
Plot, structure and genre
Setting and atmosphere
Developing your unique writing voice
Working methods and creative habits
An introduction to selling and sharing your work

At the end of the course you'll:

An appreciation and understanding of different texts and genres
To understand how to begin the writing process
To provide a thorough understanding of writing for different settings
Build your confidence in all styles of writing
Boost your enjoyment of writing

All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Short Course certificate of attendance. To request your certificate, email the team at academy@aub.ac.uk

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses, your tutor will measure your overall performance and offer essential guidance and feedback so you know how you're getting on.

What you need to know

Autumn term 2026

Tuesday 6 October – 8 December 2026 (10 Tuesdays, 18.00–21.00)

Spring term 2027

Tuesday 12 January – 16 March 2027 (10 Tuesday evenings, 18.00–21.00)

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£375 

Any additional costs 

There are no additional costs for this course.

Any additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

Notebook and pen/pencil for notes and writing exercises.

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

A flower and a pair of sunglasses rest on a pair of boxes. A stiletto heel shoe and a handbag are sitting in front of another box. The other stiletto heel shoe is on top of one of the boxes.

AUB Academy FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

A person leans in and looks closely at a big display board with assorted pieces of graphic design work.

AUB Academy booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

Meet your tutor

Christine Aziz

Christine Aziz has been writing stories ever since she was a child and hasn’t stopped since...

Book your place today

Book now

Creative writing gallery

A class full of people sitting around a rectangle of tables talking to one another.

Two students having a discussion over several pieces of paper.

Students having a discussion and making notes in a notebook.

The page of a story with lines highlighted in green and pink. Handwritten notes appear in the margins.

Close-up of a student in conversation with another student while sitting in a classroom.

Close-up of a person sitting at a table, next to three other people, in a classroom.

Close-up of an open book, with a note pad and pen lying across the pages.

A line of students sitting at tables taking notes in notebooks, on phones and on laptops.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your writing skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.