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Memoir and Autofiction Writing – an Introduction

  • Ages: 18+
  • Term: Spring
  • Length: 10 weeks

Overview

On this exciting 10-week course you'll have the chance to develop your writing skills to take your first steps into writing a memoir or autofiction story.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button 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.

What you need to know

Spring term 2025

Thursday 6 February – 10 April 2025 (10 Thursdays, 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: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£349

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide some basic study materials. This'll incur an additional cost if you need to purchase it for the course. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

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

  • Notebook and pens/pencils to make notes
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Suggested Suppliers

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

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Short Courses 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.

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Short Courses booking T&Cs

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

About this course

Memoir and autofiction are increasingly popular creative writing genres, either in published format, or privately, as a way of recording lives for the family and future generations.

This 10-week short course gives you the chance to learn and develop skills needed to produce your own captivating memoir. Through a series of exciting projects, you'll build up your knowledge, understanding, and proficiency in collating your memoirs into shape and developing them into a cohesive narrative.

This course will develop your writing skills so you’re able to capture your personal experiences with literary purpose. By the end of the course, you'll have built up a collection of written pieces to serve as a structure for a full-length memoir or autofiction.

Each session will focus on an element of memoir writing and you'll undertake exercises to explore it. Each exercise is aimed to encourage the development of your writing skills, imagination, and provide you with an awareness of what makes a good memoir from the perspective of the reader. You'll be expertly guided by your tutor, Charlotte Fodor, at every turn, and she'll offer objective advice to help you develop your skills further.

This course is highly practical, with exercises and activities designed to challenge and inspire you, whilst having fun at the same time. You'll learn and develop your skills and ideas in an encouraging environment that will be a safe space for you to share your personal memories and any writing or research.

Please note, the sharing of your work isn't compulsory and will be kept private if so desired.

  • How to expand a personal story into writing that'll resonate with others
  • How to create a structure for a memoir that'll give shape to the writer's material 
  • Development of research skills
  • How to address the critical concepts of truth and memory, differing perspectives, permission, and voice
  • The essential differences between memoir and autofiction and the legalities
  • How to bypass the obstacles encountered by most people trying to write memoir
  • The essential tools needed to write: developing believable characters, compelling dialogue, story/plot, and where to begin
  • Exploration of works by memoirists

At the end of the course you'll:

  • Possess the skills needed to write your own memoir or autofiction
  • Understand the essential tools to craft a story, including developing believable characters, writing compelling dialogue, developing story/plot
  • Understand how to organise your memories to the best effect for your reader and how to choose which memories to include and which to leave out
  • Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
  • Have boosted creativity and imagination
  • Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
  • You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at shortcourses@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed

Will I be assessed?

No, there is 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.

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More information about evening and weekend courses

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Why choose AUB for your short course?

We're a first-choice provider of art and design short courses for anyone wishing to engage in art and design subjects in their spare time.

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Reasons to study a short course

There are plenty of reasons to consider studying a creative short course. Perhaps you want to retrain, learn new skills, or just have fun...

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How to book

Looking to book onto one of our Evening and Saturday courses? You’ll find everything you need to book your place here.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your creative 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.

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