creative writing classes manchester

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4 Best Creative Writing Classes in Manchester

Showing 4 courses that match your search.

Creative Writing Summer School

Manchester Writing School

The Manchester Writing School offers a two-day intensive course, providing a glimpse into one of the UK's leading literary centres. Participants engage in masterclass workshops, seminars, and talks delivered by practicing writers and critics. The program includes fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and creative non-fiction sessions, offering a supportive environment for both personal and professional writing.

Website: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/english/courses/short/creative/#sum...

Categories: Fiction, Essay, Poetry, Nonfiction, Short Story, and Book

Start date:

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Manchester Writing

Dive into the world of storytelling, mastering both fiction and nonfiction. This course focuses on plot construction, captivating openings, character creation, voice modulation, descriptive richness, sentence diversity, and potent verb usage, all aimed at nurturing skilled storytellers and discerning readers.

Website: https://www.manchesterwriting.com/

Categories: Fiction, Essay, Nonfiction, and Book

Open all year round

Essay and Debate

This course teaches the art of persuasive argument through developing a thesis and using evidence effectively. Students will enhance their writing skills across introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs, and sharpen their public speaking abilities by debating with peers on contrasting viewpoints.

Categories: Essay

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South Manchester Writing Workshop

Manchester Writers

A dynamic "work-in-progress" group focusing on getting published. Members critique and discuss each other's works-in-progress, ranging from novels to poetry and plays. Open to both beginners and experienced writers, the group tackles topics from character development to engaging literary agents, embracing a diverse range of genres.

Website: http://www.manchester-writers.org.uk/

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Manchester

The 1911 children’s book The Secret Garden and the 1971 dystopian The Clockwork Orange might not seem like they have much in common on the surface. But they do share one important similarity: both authors were born in Greater Manchester. If such a city can inspire such disparate works, then you can bet that it would be a good place to take a creative writing class.

This directory of the best writing courses in Manchester is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Manchester? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Manchester for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Our home study courses offer you the flexibility to complete your assignments when it is convenient for you. You can work at your own pace and spend as much or as little time on an assignment as you need.

Our Classroom-based courses cover the same material as home study, either every other Saturday or one evening a week. It’s up to you. Whatever option you choose you’ll receive the guidance and support of our expert tutors.

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Unleash your creativity and begin your journey as a writer. Start writing confidently and creatively! Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 3 Months Duration

Study at your own pace with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Live Online Classes

Attend virtual classes with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Classroom-based

Attend in-person classes with access to online course materials and full tutor support.

Elevate your writing to new heights and embark on your creative journey with confidence and advanced skills. Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 6 Months Duration
• £2,095

Achieve professional excellence in creative writing and launch your literary career with a strong, professional foundation. Payment plans available. No minimum qualification.

• 9 Months Duration
• £1,355
• £2,725

I would certainly recommend the Post Grad Dip to friends or other students looking to gain a professional qualification, so many new skills to learn, to support future opportunities in the visual arts field. Mark Powell Student - BAPH

The support I get from the student community and my tutor are essential. It isn't always easy and it's clearly demanding, but the whole experience is extraordinary and one of the best investments I've ever made. Daniel Oliver Student - BAPH

This course has taken me on an amazing journey - there has been a lot of learning with tutors who have given constructive feedback to help with progression. It moreover gave me the opportunity to study from home. Such a worthwhile and enjoyable course! Tiffany Hayes Student - BAPH

Between the forums online and our Facebook page I feel more connected with students and staff and I never feel silly asking my tutor even the most basic of questions! I'm particularly impressed with the feedback I get when I hand in my assignments - it is very detailed, constructive and helpful. Sonya O'Donoghue Student - PAI

The British Academy of Creative Writing is a leading provider of accredited, industry recognised creative writing qualifications in UK.

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0121 3121 661

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BA English Literature with Creative Writing / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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AAA with A in English Literature or English Language and Literature (i.e. not English Language alone), plus a creative writing portfolio.

AAB, including A in English Literature, or English Language and Literature (ie. not English Language alone), plus creative writing portfolio

36 points overall. 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects to include 6 in English Literature, or English Language & Literature (ie. not English Language alone).

Full entry requirements

Course overview

• Study at a university ranked sixth in the UK for English language and literature (QS World University Rankings 2023).
• Explore the rich literary history and current creative scene of Manchester, recently designated UNESCO City of Literature.
• Study more than 1,000 years of writing in English, engaging with literary and cultural theory, studying texts in their historical contexts, and reflecting on different cultures and traditions.
• Develop creative writing skills in fiction and poetry through workshops led by some of the most adventurous poets, novelists, and science-fiction writers currently in the UK.

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Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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Related courses

• English Literature BA (3 years)
• English Literature and Latin BA (3 years)
• Drama and English Literature BA (3 years)
• History and American Studies BA (3 years)
• English Literature and American Studies BA (3 years)

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• English Literature, American Studies and Creative Writing

Compare this course

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You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

Centre for New Writing

Creative Writing courses at The University of Manchester.

Whether you want to study Creative Writing at an undergraduate, MA or PhD level, we have a course or programme in poetry, prose or screenwriting to meet your needs.

Creative Writing courses

Visit our course pages below to find out more about our undergraduate, taught master's and postgraduate research courses in Creative Writing.

MA Creative Writing

Our MA offers workshops in poetry, prose fiction and critical and theoretical course units.

MA Modern and Contemporary Literature

Explore ideas and concepts through the specialised study of modern and contemporary literature and culture.

MA Playwriting

Our course will help you develop the skills you need for a career in writing for the stage.

MA Screenwriting

Specialist training designed to present a genuine gateway into the film and television industries.

PhD Creative Writing

Develop your research skills alongside an original portfolio with this specialist doctorate.

BA English Literature with Creative Writing

Develop your writing skills alongside the study of literature from past to present.

Find out more

Watch the video below to find out more about Creative Writing at The University of Manchester.

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MA Creative Writing

Manchester metropolitan university, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, university information, similar courses at this uni, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Creative Writing

Course type

At the heart of the Manchester Writing School are our masters programmes in Creative Writing, available to study on campus in Manchester and also from anywhere in the world via online distance learning.

On our Master of Arts (MA) Creative Writing programme, you will explore and practise techniques and styles of modern and contemporary writing and apply these through the development of your own creative work. You will undertake a taught element blending writing workshops with reading units and an elective, and then complete their studies through submission of an extended piece of writing from a proposed full-length book or script.

You will specialise in one of the following routes: Novel (including Short Fiction), Poetry, Writing for Children & Young Adults, Scriptwriting (for stage, screen or radio) or Creative Non-Fiction.

The MA is available to complete in one year full-time or two years part-time. The Novel, Poetry and Scriptwriting routes are available to study on campus (full-time or part-time) or online (part-time only). The Writing for Children and Creative Non-Fiction routes are online (part-time) only. We have intakes to the programme in September and January each year.

You can also choose to pursue our MFA Creative Writing masters.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• One of the most successful programmes of its kind in the UK today – with more than 100 students and graduates publishing first books in the past ten years.
• Extensive calendar of events - including The Manchester Children's Book Festival, The National Creative Writing Industry Conference, Manchester Writing Competition Gala, Poetry Festivals, book launches, podcasts, and question and answer sessions with guest writers at Manchester Met and Manchester arts venues.
• Industry links - strong links to the publishing industry with visits from major agents, editors and publishers.
• Flexible learning - core Reading and Workshop units take place in the evenings (6-8pm UK time) during the autumn or spring semesters. Full-time students usually have classes two evenings per week, and part-time students one evening per week.
• Extended piece of writing - all MA students will complete an extended piece of writing from a proposed full-length book or script, supported by a term of one-to-one supervision.
• Gain an MFA – students who successfully complete the MA can continue their studies with an additional year, completing a further 120 credits (which includes writing a full-length book or script) and gaining an MFA.
• Live online teaching - the course can be completed entirely online, with core teaching for distance learning students via weekly online classes in Microsoft Teams.
• Academic expertise - taught by high-profile writers and critics including: Carol Ann Duffy DBE, Susan Barker, Laura Barnett, Andrew Biswell, Malika Booker and Kirsty Bunting.
• Visiting Fellows - our course features contributions from our visiting fellows, including: Ed Caesar, Mandy Coe, Tim Cresswell, Amanda Dalton and Steve Dearden.
• Home to Manchester Poetry Library - Manchester Poetry Library is the North West's first public poetry library and holds over 10,000 books and recordings that can be explored through the online catalogue, in person and through the annual programme of events.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

In order to apply, you will need to submit a completed application form, a sample of creative writing, a critical review and one reference. You can apply online or download an application form. Please visit website for more information. For the creative sample, applicants to the Novel, Children's/YA and Creative Non-Fiction routes should submit up to 2,000 words of prose (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work); poetry applicants should submit up to 15 poems; and scriptwriting applicants should submit up to 15 minutes running time of script (a complete piece, or an extract/extracts from a longer work). The critical review should focus on a piece of 21st century work, be up to 500 words long, and show evidence of close reading, explaining what it is about the piece you find useful as a writer. Both the creative and critical samples should be relevant to the specialist route to which you are applying (Novel OR Poetry OR Writing for Children/YA OR Scriptwriting OR Creative Non-Fiction). Your reference can be from anyone of professional standing (e.g. a current/former employer or tutor) who can vouch for your suitability for study at postgraduate level or the quality of your writing, or, if you are unable to obtain a reference from someone who is familiar with your written work, simply verify your identity.

Manchester Metropolitan University offers a welcoming, stimulating and supportive environment in which to study for your postgraduate qualification. More than 6,000 students choose to study for a postgraduate qualification at Manchester Met. The University offers more than 250 postgraduate taught programmes and has 14 centres of research expertise. The campus is perfectly placed for you to enjoy Manchester, a city world-renowned for its... more

MFA Creative Writing

Full time | 2 years | SEP-24

PhD in Creative Writing and English Literature

Full time | 3 years | APR-24

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Department of English » Courses » Professional Development & Short Courses » Creative

Creative Courses

Professional Development & Short Courses

Manchester Writing School: Creative Writing Summer School

About the course

This two-day intensive course is designed to give participants a taste of life in the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University, one of the UK’s most successful literary centres, and home to one of the country’s largest postgraduate English and Creative Writing community.

The course will introduce you to tutors and current students and offer opportunities to develop your own writing – and reading – in a lively and supportive environment. The programme will include a choice of in-person or online masterclass workshops, seminars and talks, delivered by practising writers and critics, with input from special guests.

Sessions may include fiction, poetry, writing for children & young adults, scriptwriting, creative non-fiction, how to present your work for publication, performance skills, and talks/Q&As with industry experts. The full programme will be confirmed and circulated in advance, and you will be asked to choose which sessions you would like to attend each day, which are all subject to availability. You will also be asked to let us know, when confirming your session choices, if you have any specific learning or accessibility needs.

Further details and course contacts

Our 2024 Creative Writing Summer School will run on 20th and 21st June 2024 with a choice of in-person and online sessions. Core sessions will run between 9.30am and 5.30pm both days, with comfort breaks scheduled throughout, and optional evening events. Further details for 2024, including timetables, delivery modes and booking options, will be confirmed in early June.

The cost of attending is £250 per person. You can book your place on eStore .

Find out more about the Manchester Writing School  or contact [email protected] with any queries, including if you’d like to see copies of example Summer School programmes from previous years.

Teaching Creative Writing

This course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams. It will run in the spring semester of the 2023/24 academic year with fortnightly classes from 6-8pm on 22nd February, 7th and 21st March, 18th April and 2nd May. For further information, including course dates, timetables and delivery modes, please contact [email protected] .

This course is worth 15 Masters-level credits. For details of fees please see  Postgraduate tuition fees . You can apply to bring credits gained from our CPD short courses into our full Masters programmes via the University's  Recognition of Prior Learning process . Please note that bringing prior learning credits into a full Masters programme may affect your eligibility for a  Postgraduate Loan .

To apply,  download our application form . For further details, contact [email protected] or +44 (0) 161 247 6969.

What students have said about this course

• “I have already started applying what I learned on this course in school.”
• “Heightened my level of observation, which is crucial for a writer.”
• “Had an immediate impact in the classroom.”

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Content writing course by iim skills, table of contents, top 4 creative writing courses in manchester.

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• April 1, 2024
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Creative writing is a common definition of fiction writing, in which the author constructs events, situations, characters, and occasionally even a whole new world. Creative writing is a form of writing that goes beyond the traditional methods of normal skilled, academic, or technical forms of writing. It includes a variety of diverse writing techniques like fiction and non-fiction writing, storytelling, playwriting, poetry, journalism, and more. If you are interested to take up creative writing courses in Manchester to skill up yourself, keep reading.

Any form of writing that is original and self-expressive can be termed “creative writing.” It is typically distinguished by its “narrative craft,” which emphasizes components like character development, fiction, and storyline while also infusing its framework with creativity, uniqueness, and tale.

Other forms of writing often provide the reader with facts and information instead of evoking emotional excitement in them; however, creative writing employs senses and emotions to build a vivid vision in the reader’s mind. Creative writing courses in Manchester allow you to escape from reality and enter a world created by your mind.

Writing creatively allows you to communicate your feelings and emotions. Creative writing is the imaginative or artistic use of words to express a feeling or emotion. Rather than being limited to academic or technical subjects, creative writing incorporates features like character development, story, and the poetry of words to share the author’s emotion with the reader. Academic writing is distinct from other forms of writing because the author is not permitted to convey emotion.

Types of Creati ve Writing

When we talk about creative writing, fiction and poetry frequently take center stage. There are many other forms of creative writing that we might examine. The purpose of creative writing is to entertain, not educate. It seeks to elicit a response by arousing feelings.

The act of creating settings, scenarios, characters, and even a setting for a story is commonly referred to as “creative writing.” There are many different types of creative writing, including many genres and styles. Numerous types of creative writing fall into the fiction or non-fiction categories. Among the most well-known are:

1. Essays : Essays are usually linked to academic writing. However, there are many other varieties of essays, such as personal essays, descriptive essays, and persuasive essays, all of which can be highly creative and not particularly academic.

2. Poetry : Poetry is undoubtedly the most artistic form of writing, it’s being widely read but less recognized. Poetry is a category of creative writing that may not frequently appear on bestseller lists, but a writer should not disregard it. Any format can be used to write a poem.

If you’d like, you can even compose them in a certain style of prose. Children adore stories that rhyme, if you want to push your imagination, try to come up with rhyming stories. For fun, you can even create a horror rhyming poem for adults to practice your creative skills. To practice your creative skills, you could even create a horror rhyming poem for adults.

3. Storytelling : The most often used type of creative writing is storytelling. It can be both found in fiction and nonfiction. There are many popular formats for fiction, which are flash fiction, short stories, short novels, and full-length novels. Storytelling is a broadly valuable skill, as it can be found in all forms of writing, from poetry to speech writing.

4. Songs : People may argue that song lyrics are essentially just poetry set to music, yet song lyrics have a particular rhythm that is specific to writing. If you enjoy singing or playing any instrument, think about putting your creative writing talents to use in this type of writing.

5. Scripts : Writing stories for the screenplay format is referred to as script writing or screenwriting. Scriptwriting can be said as the process of recording the facial expressions, movements, and language of the characters in a screenplay. A novel, a poem, or an essay is completely different than script writing. Screenplay or screenwriting is work created by screenwriters for a movie, television show, or video game.

6. Free writing : Free writing is the most creative type of writing. Start writing in a notebook or electronic document. Free writing is a technique used by writers to come up with ideas without being constrained by the conventional format of writing. The top form of creative writing is free writing. Free writing is a completely free style of writing.

7. Letters: Writing letters is a useful skill since being able to communicate effectively is becoming more and more valuable. Nowadays, sending letters to someone is a better way to practice your creative writing skills because our ability to interact with one another depends more and more on the written word. You can even have characters write letters to each other within the background of a story you’re creating.

8. Journals:  A journal is a form of writing where you can record your ideas, feelings, and observations. You can write in your journal every day or only when you feel the urge to. Journals are kept by writers as a place to jot down ideas as they come to them, practice writing, and record their thoughts.

A journal and a diary are not nearly the same things. You could keep a notebook for your accomplishments, memories, dreams, or thankfulness. Many authors keep Omni-journals or idea diaries, which are used for everything from daily free writing to project planning and brainstorming.

9. Blogging: The process of blogging involves writing blog posts on the website. Writing, photography, and other forms of self-published web media are referred to as blogging. Blogging initially served as a platform for people to keep diaries in the form of entries, but it has subsequently been incorporated into the websites of many businesses.

10. Speeches:  Essays and speeches share many similarities however, the purpose of a speech is typically more persuasive or inspirational. Speech writing can result in exciting job chances in virtually any profession or industry, whether it be persuasive, inspirational, or educational. In this format, there are length restrictions.

Elements Taught in Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

The creative writing courses in Manchester help you to involve yourself in a variety of steps and components that come together to form a result. Creative writing components are used to help express artistic or symbolic meaning. To get a better understanding of creative writing, you have to understand its elements.

Different types of creative writing use different types of elements. These elements can make or break the writing and are an essential aspect. The amount of each element that should be used in creative writing is the most uncertain.

It’s essential to understand how to use the elements when a situation calls for it for educational purposes. However, these elements are essential for creative writing and are utilized universally throughout their forms. Some of the important elements of writing in a creative way are as follows:

Unique plot:  There must be an exciting plot in every piece of writing. A plot is a series of events that forms a story in creative writing. An incident that urges the main character to act and start a quest is known as the inciting incident, and it marks the beginning of a plot.

It serves as the writing’s backbone and gives everything else in the piece a framework. A good plot is necessary for a writer’s work to be accepted and successful. The writer should always try to think of something original and unique to engage the interest of the audience.

Characters:  The characters of a piece of writing depend on the plot. Characters are individuals who appear in literature or artistic work. The author must convey the character’s growth throughout the writing. This can be accomplished by providing clear details on the changes over time. This is another form of writing that attracts the readers’ attention and keeps them sticking to it.

Dialogue:  Dialogue writing is another form of creative writing. It’s a verbal exchange between characters. It refers to the language that characters use to communicate with one another. Figurative language, such as metaphors and phrases, may be used in this, using such an approach creates a better appeal and leaves room for imagination and explanation. A character’s language choice and dialogue can play a significant role in defining who they are as a person.

Point of View: A writer can express their plot from the first, second, or third person’s point of view. This is not fixed; it is chosen by the writer. When writing a story, it’s important to acknowledge who is telling it and to whom.

The use of an appropriate point of view allows the writer to touch on important points in the storyline. A character who is actively participating in the narrative may tell the tale, or it may be seen and heard from the point of view of someone who is not one of the characters but is familiar with them all.

Setting:  A setting is the location of a work. It serves as the stage on which the characters are presented. It is also possible to mention the location and time in the story. A setting might be a particular geographic location, a period in history, or a made-up place or world.

The setting reveals more about the characters than the setting itself. While some fiction settings might be set in New York City while others might be set in the Sahara desert, both stories have specific settings that help create an atmosphere or the authors’ ideas. Other setting possibilities include the present or an unspecified time and location, like the future.

Scene:  A scene may be said to be a dramatic section in a story within a specific time and place. A scene happens as part of a bigger story. Stories are constructed from scenes. Most stories are made of a series of scenes that differ in setting and advance the plot. A short story is made up of a single scene. Good scenes have conflict and tension and advance the story.

Style:  A writing style is an author’s uncommon way of communicating with words. An author’s voice or personality and general tone help to define their style of writing. A writer’s style can depend on the type of writing they’re doing and their target audience. For example, an author of a children’s book will have a very different writing style than a novelist.

Theme:  A   theme is the central idea of a work of literature or art. A story’s theme is a big philosophical idea the author wants to convey in his writing. It is an underlying emotion that unites the entire work and ties its various components together. The theme of a subject could be moralistic, or it might just be that beauty needs to be conserved by doing something.

Recommended Read: Digital Marketing Courses in Manchester

Techniques Taught in Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

In creative writing, we learn how to describe a scene in a way that will fascinate the reader and make them feel like they are a part of the story. Like elements, creative writing techniques are not global. They are unique to each author and story. When drafting a scene from your tale, various methods can be employed.

Writers often use a variety of literary methods and creative writing strategies to make their writing stand out. Any writer who wants to stand out from the crowd and elevate their writing can use these ways to do so. Here are some incredible methods and advice that will improve your writing experience overall.

Reading Books: When a writer develops the habit of reading frequently, it broadens their perspective and satisfies their mind with a variety of ideas, styles, and ways of presenting any given circumstance. If you want to become a good writer, reading a lot will help you master your craft. The books that aspiring writers read are very valuable for them. The purpose of reading to write will be determined by your goal as a writer.

Plot Development:  Plot development is the story of your piece of writing – how it develops, unfolds, and moves along with time. It is best to create a plot for the piece of material that is being written. While including plot twists and turns, it is possible to take note of the various developments and stages for future reference. This can help in giving the work structure and establishing a bond between the characters.

Write a Strong Opening:  Story hooks are frequently mentioned in creative writing strategies. You must indeed grab the reader’s interest. However, a hook doesn’t always have to be large. The reader only needs to be intrigued to continue reading. In this style of writing, the writer uses language that tells the story to the reader as though they were in the audience. As a writer, you must adopt the role of one of the characters and tell the entire story from their viewpoint.

Dialogue:  Refers to the language and interactions that the characters have with one another. This is an important component of creative writing since it gives the work an emotional feeling and can bind characters together. Including characters, dialogue can help the readers connect with the characters and move the plot forward without relying exclusively on the narrator. A character’s language choices and dialogue can play a significant role in defining who they are as a person.

Twists in the plot:  Great creative writing techniques include using suspense and twists in the plot to keep the reader’s interest. A plot twist is an event in a story that deviates from both the readers’ and the story’s expectations. Twists and suspense in creative writing can come in the form of conflict between characters or hurdles in the plot. To keep readers interested in the plot as they wait for this conflict to be resolved, writers add twists.

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Colleges Providing Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

1. iim skills.

For the past five years, IIM SKILLS has consistently been providing top online writing courses. IIM SKILLS has maintained a distinct position among competitors in the content writing sector in such a short amount of time. It is a well-known institute that teaches students numerous other skills necessary for different careers in the content writing sector in addition to the finest online creative writing course.

The professors at IIM SKILLS are the primary factor in its ranking as the finest online creative writing program. The instructors of this top-rated online creative writing courses in Manchester are pros who have been working in the field for more than ten years. The online Content Writing Course offered by IIM SKILLS can teach you all the skills needed.

• Introduction to Content Writing
• Copywriting
• Script and Sketch Writer
• Web Development
• Keyword Research

2. Manchester 1824 (The University of Manchester)

Manchester 1824 provides an MA in creative writing. Leading authors and poets will be providing specialized instruction throughout this one-year postgraduate course. In the MA Creative Writing master’s course, you’ll be part of the prestigious Center for New Writing, where you will be taught by world-famous writers.

They will teach you how to produce novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, poems, and screenplays. The creative writing courses in Manchester are a place where you will get to meet talented writers and critics and exchange ideas and opinions. The Center is based on the simple but important tenet that good writing and reading go hand in hand.

The creative writing courses in Manchester will see you study literary techniques via reading and discussing the work of other contemporary writers through seminars, and you will have the opportunity to develop your work through regular workshops and individual tutorials.

List of Courses

• Forms of writing I
• Contemporary Fiction
• Anthologizing modern and contemporary poetry
• Workshop in fiction writing I
• Workshop in fiction writing II
• Reading poems: lyric and the Anthropocene
• Writing poems I
• Writing poems II
• Creative non-fiction workshop
• Trans theory

3. Manchester Metropolitan University

The creative writing courses at Manchester Metropolitan University provide a BA (Hons) in creative writing. The Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the most successful literary centers in the UK and is home to the country’s largest postgraduate English and creative writing community.

You are taught by a team of distinguished practicing writers and critics. They also host some high-profile visiting fellows who contribute to Manchester’s writing school teaching, projects, and public events. Around 100 of their students and graduates have embarked on publishing careers, launching their first book, with many more achieving publication in journals and magazines.

They are also winning writing awards and prizes and setting up small presses and anthologies. The college also plays a leading role in establishing Manchester as a city of writers, with a commitment to finding various new voices and creating opportunities for writer development, enabling new scripting, and building audiences for the next generation of talent.

• Single Honours English degree
• Single Honours Creative Writing degree
• Degrees in English and American Literature
• English and Creative Writing
• English and Film
• English and Multimedia Journalism
• Film and Media Studies
• English Degrees with Foundation Year

4. The Writers Bureau

Creative writing courses in Manchester are the most fulfilling and engaging pastimes. You can also earn a full-time income from your writing if you want to. The writer’s bureau’s creative writing courses will show you how all their writing courses are perfect for beginners.

The course does not require any prior experience or special education. You can earn at the same time while learning. You can study from any location. Their quality of tuition is the same with every course. You will also be working with the same tutor throughout the course.

• Comprehensive creative writing course
• Proofreading and copy editing course
• The complete copywriter course
• Writing for children course
• Novel & short story writing course
• Non-fiction writing course
• Fiction writing course
• Article writing course etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creative writing courses in Manchester

1. what are some examples of creative writing.

It’s a form of writing that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of formal and technical writing. Fiction writing is one kind of creative writing. Traditional novels, short tales, and graphic novels are all examples of fiction writing. Fiction is a story that is not true by definition, but it can be realistic and contain real locations and facts.

2. What is the purpose of creative writing?

Creative writing is the process of telling an interesting or entertaining story using written language that will engage, motivate, and excite the reader while arousing emotional feelings. Its goal is to meaningfully and gracefully educate, amuse, or instruct the reader in a way that they will appreciate.

3. Where can I take creative writing courses in Manchester?

Hundreds of students from around the world come to study creative writing courses in Manchester. You can either go in-person to the institute or opt for an online course from anywhere else in the world. The creative writing courses in Manchester give you the chance to be a part of one of the prestigious centers for new writing available there. The colleges bring world-famous writers to teach their students how to write novels, short stories, creative non-fiction, poems, and screenplays.

4. What are the forms of creative writing?

Fiction, journals, poetry, short stories, essays, and scriptwriting are forms of creative writing. Scriptwriting is sometimes called screenwriting or playwriting. Creative nonfiction can take several forms, such as memoirs and personal essays.

Conclusion On Creative Writing Courses in Manchester

Creative writing may be said to be an art form of literature. Which requires you to use your creativity, imagination, and story to portray a specific message, emotion, or plot. It goes against the traditional limitations of other forms of writing and is completely subjective to our preferences and experiences. The created content engages the audience and persuades them to execute an action, whether it be subscribing, clicking a link, liking a post, sharing, or commenting. For creative writers, this is a great chance.

If you want to start creative writing, it’s important to completely immerse yourself in the world of literature. You should read and write as much as you can, and workshop you’re writing whenever possible. Creative writing courses in Manchester are a great way to meet other like-minded students, share knowledge and feedback, and upskill yourself.

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Writers in Manchester

Novels, plays, flash fiction, poetry, spoken word, non-fiction, novellas, street art, comic books – whatever your literary bag, manchester has got you covered..

From supportive short courses for those who are ready to tentatively dip their toes into the world of literature, to creative writing degrees offered by two world-class writing schools, there are opportunities available at every level to develop your practice in Manchester.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s an overview of what’s on offer…

For those looking for a higher education qualification in their discipline, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English and Creative Writing. In both cases, their academic staff is second to none and you’ll find yourself being taught by some of the most well-known and respected names in the industry, including authors and poets whose books may well already line your shelves.

If you’re not in the market for a degree, then there are plenty of short courses on offer. Manchester Metropolitan University has several of these available, ranging from a scriptwriting masterclass to a course on how to build a children’s story. Away from the city’s academic classrooms, Comma Press offers short story courses and Commonword regularly run creative writing workshops.

The Writing Squad offer an excellent free two year programme of workshops and 1-1 support is for writers aged 16-22 who live, work or study in the North of England and go on to support writers through their careers.

Tired of writing on your own? We hear you. We know that writing is one of life’s greatest joys – but we also know it can be a lonely pursuit! Fortunately, Manchester has some fantastic groups to help inspire you and ultimately develop your craft. Commonword is a writing development organisation that provides opportunities for new and aspiring writers. It’s home to the well-established Identity group, which takes part in masterclasses, workshops, seminars, and more.

Commonword also hosted Young Identity for six years of its life. Now a charity in its own right, Young Identity delivers poetry and spoken word workshops for young people and helps to develop some of the most exciting new young performers on the scene. The group has worked with big names such as Lemn Sissay and Kae Tempest, as well as performing all over the UK and internationally.

There are also a number of traditional creative writing groups, where writers of all disciplines can meet up on a regular basis to share their work and give each other thoughtful feedback. The Monday Night Group of Writers is one of the city’s most established groups, Manchester Muslim Writers meet once a month and run sessions for poets, novelists, screenplay writers, playwrights and bloggers, and Manchester Women Writers hold their welcoming weekly writing group once a week in City Library.

Spoken word nights

Call us biased but we think Manchester has one of the best spoken word scenes in the country (if not the world!). There is an undeniable feeling that our city is at the cutting edge when it comes to nurturing spoken word talent – and with more than a dozen regular nights taking place across the city, there’s room for everyone to take their place at the mic stand.

Of those 12+ nights, there’s Word Central hosted by Tony Curry and taking place at Manchester Central Library, Verbose Manchester at The King’s Arms in Salford and Bad Language which has its home in the Northern Quarter’s Gullivers, and Sayin? Manchester usually based at Niamos in Hulme. Plus loads more! Our event page is a great place to keep up to date and if you’re hosting your own spoken word night, please do add it to our calendar .

Competitions

Submitting your work to a competition, whether you scoop the first prize or not, can boost your writing. Competitions can push us to hone our work, give us a newfound focus, and add structure to our writing.

Manchester Metropolitan University hosts the annual Manchester Writing Competition, offering prizes for both fiction and poetry. The competitions are open to both new and established writers and there are some significant prizes to be won, with both offering £10,000 to their respective winners.

Poets & Players, who are known for their programming of poets and musicians at Anthony Burgess Foundation, also host a yearly poetry competition, with past judges including Jackie Kay, Pascale Petit, and Jacob Polley. The winner of the competition receives a cash reward and the chance to read their poem at a Poets & Players event.

Although not based in Manchester, New Writing North supports writing and reading in the north of England. The Northern Writers’ Awards were founded in 2000 and invites writers from across the north of England to submit their unpublished work-in-progress for judging. The scope for the awards is broad, so it’s worth checking to see if your chosen practice fits the bill.

Manchester City of Literature regularly posts about upcoming opportunities and competitions, so be sure to keep an eye on our social media feeds for up to date information.

To learn more about what’s happening in the city or to upload your own upcoming workshop, activity or organised event, visit our Events page and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, where we regularly send out opportunities and updates for writers.

RELATED EVENTS, NEWS AND INFO

Oldham writing festival, online edition crafting a short story collection with gaynor jones, crafting a short story course, national creative writing industry day 2023, creative writing workshop with amy vreeke, manchester writing school: creative writing summer school, short story writing with tania hershman (6 sessions), author branding: online social media course with isabelle kenyon, sj bradley’s online short story course, comma press online short story course with sj bradley, the portico sadie massey awards, manchester writing school.

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Creative writing classes events in Manchester, United Kingdom

Creative Writing Class (for adults!)

Today at 7:00 PM

Reserve Wines Shop Didsbury

From £19.12

Creative Writing Class (+ a local author talk!)

Tue, Apr 16, 7:00 PM

Author Talk and Creative Writing Workshop with Reshma Ruia

Wed, Apr 17, 6:00 PM

Altrincham Library

Lost and Found in a Book: Creative Writing Workshop

Tue, Apr 23, 5:00 PM

Instituto Cervantes Manchester

THE NEW WRITING SHOWCASE 2024

Thu, May 2, 7:00 PM

University of Bolton

Creative Writing [5 Week Course]

Tue, Jun 18, 6:00 PM

From £98.22

Creative Writing for Adults

Friday at 11:00 AM + 3 more

Innit Creative Hub, M50 3AH

From £13.70

Creative Writing Workshop: Ancestors

Fri, Apr 12, 10:00 AM

Sheffield Central Library

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00 AM

Writing for Wellbeing

Sat, Jun 15, 11:00 AM

Ramsbottom Library

Blue Lotus Tea and Creative Writing Workshop.

Sun, Apr 21, 6:00 PM

Soul Fire Studios

From £24.54

Creative Writing for Growth: Messengers

Fri, May 17, 10:00 AM

The Charcoal Gallery

From £22.38

In Bloom: 4 Week Floral Themed Mixed Creative Workshops

Wed, Apr 17, 1:00 PM

Commerce House

Creative Writing Workshops

Thu, Apr 11, 12:30 PM + 1 more

Wellington Central

Thu, Jun 13, 6:00 PM

Ashton Library and Information Service

Absolute Beginner Writing Workshop

Sat, Apr 20, 2:30 PM

Orchard Square

From £10.46

Pigeons and Doves Easter Holiday Writing Club

Today at 1:00 PM + 7 more

Prestwich Library

Fri, Jun 14, 1:00 PM

Heywood Library

Scrawl Space - A loosely guided amateur creative writing group

Tue, Apr 9, 7:00 PM

Tue, Sep 17, 6:00 PM

Things to do around Manchester

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Creative City: Workshops, Classes and artistry in Manchester

People have said all kinds of things about Anthony Wilson. It’s well-documented that he played a vital role in creating modern Manchester and its global reputation.

But what did he do? What was he actually good at? Well, he was an enabler. He could spot potential and he enabled people to do what they were good at. Sounds simple but when you think about it, it’s pretty amazing. To be enabled is to be empowered.

There are huge amounts of talent out there and any city worth its salt should attract creativity from all over the region. The city should offer this talent a chance to meet like-minded people, try things out and discover what they are good at.

Manchester is full of these opportunities and they’re not exclusive to people who live here. Our city is a creative hub and everyone is welcome. One-day and part-time workshops and courses are a great excuse to visit Manchester, make a weekend of it or just get to know the city over several weeks.

And if you’re wondering whether you’re good enough, the answer is yes. You don’t have to be the next Picasso. Creativity is for everyone. Whatever form of expression captures your imagination, with or (sadly) without Anthony Wilson, Manchester will always be the best enabler around.

The workshops run by HOME are every bit as multi-disciplined as their programme. HOME is focused on talent development and creative careers and their and workshops connect talented people with professionals working in film, television, theatre, music, production and visual art. Find one that’s right for you .

As well as being one of the most varied and popular arts venues in the region, The Lowry also offers workshops and courses for all ages. They offer introductions to all kinds of things like singing, acting, clowning, flamenco, opera, dance and life-drawing. Take a look at their workshops .

Manchester Art Gallery

The workshops run by Manchester Art Gallery don’t teach you how to paint, they use their collection to show how to take notice, share stories, be mindful, make conversation and explore philosophical questions. Their workshops are open, friendly and most are free so don’t be shy and take a look at what’s coming up .

Manchester Craft and Design Centre

One of the founding pillars of the Northern Quarter, Manchester Craft and Design Centre has been a haven of creativity since the early eighties. They run a constantly changing programme of (hard to categorise!) workshops. Be it embroidery, photography, screen printing or anything else, places can be booked directly from their website .

The Whitworth

The Whitworth isn’t there just to show off its collection in beautiful surroundings. It’s also home to The Independent Art School and they use the Whitworth’s collection as the starting point for a range of workshops and classes. Classes cover a range of disciplines, they’re usually weekly and cost around £49 for four weeks.

Royal Exchange Theatre

If creativity is to thrive, it needs a safe place to learn, develop and take risks. Be it playwriting, acting or directing, Royal Exchange Theatre is committed to providing a nurturing environment for emerging talent. Take a look at their creative opportunities .

As well as workshops run by Manchester’s big attractions and venues, there are all sorts of creative courses on offer. The listings below are not comprehensive – they may even be the tip of the ice berg. We are confident that Manchester really can bring out the creative side in anyone but we can’t recommend or endorse any particular workshop or course provider.

With the University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing and Manchester Metropolitan University’s Writing School , Manchester has some of the best post-graduate creative writing courses in the country. But of course, post-graduate courses may not be for everyone.

Young Identity is an arts organisation that runs weekly workshops for writers, poets, performers and spoken word artists between 13-25. It’s a very supportive creative environment and everyone’s welcome. Visit their website for workshop information.

There are Manchester Writing Days that take place at Manchester Art Gallery every second Saturday of the month. Just take a poem and ten copies for supportive feedback and writing exercises. The days are run by The Poetry Business and places cost around £40.

Write Here… in Manchester run seven-week creative writing courses that take place on Monday nights. The courses include weekly workshops and expert tuition. Courses are selective and numbers are limited so check their site for costs and dates of the next course.

If you fancy having a go at stand-up comedy, there are tons of open-mic nights taking place in Manchester. It takes guts, but you can just get up there and do it. If you want to try things out first, in a supportive environment, it can really help to get some help and advice.

The Frog and Bucket is Manchester’s longest running comedy club. As well as being a great place to see comedy, they also do an eight-week course for £200. It doesn’t just help you to develop funnier jokes, it teaches you about being on stage, how to get gigs and even deal with hecklers. Take the plunge and book a place on the next course .

Comedysportz Manchester run workshops and classes for improv, stand up and sketch writing. They’re usually one-day courses on Saturdays or Sundays so come for the course and stay for the weekend. Browse their upcoming courses .

Comedian, writer and actor Jane Postlethwaite runs three different Women’s Workshops, usually on Saturdays. They cover comedy writing, stand-up and comedy character development. They book up quickly so keep your eyes peeled for her upcoming workshops .

Floating Art Workshop runs some of the most affordable art classes in town. For example, they have Friday and Saturday workshops for Japanese painting, botanical art, printmaking, oil and watercolour for around £15 per class – materials included! Take a look at what’s on next .

Creative Art Courses are based at The Gallery Studio in Hope Mill, just outside the city centre. Evenings, weekends or mid-week, they offer lots of art classes that teach several disciplines and cover every level. So seriously, if you haven’t picked up a brush since childhood, this is a great place to start.

Chorlton Alternative Arts offer regular Wednesday life-drawing classes. Well, they call them classes but they are keen to point out that they do not teach. They help and offer advice but are more interested in helping you to develop your own style. Take a look at their upcoming classes .

Clay Studio in Hulme run six-week, weekend or one-off workshops and also offer private tuition and even family workshops. And if you’re reading for a creative friend who never finds time for their talent, Clay Studio do workshop gift vouchers. Take a look at their workshops .

Seven Limes Pottery is based at the Windrush Millenium Centre, a couple of miles south of the city centre. They run taster and beginner courses as well as full weekend courses for pottery wheel throwing. They also do gift vouchers so check out their courses .

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