WRITING
Exploring Creative Non-Fiction
AUTUMN WN131
Tuesdays
Tutor: Maureen Levy
Creative Non-Fiction is also known as Literary Journalism: It is the art of telling a true story as if it were fiction. Nonfiction subjects can be dull and challenging if not fleshed out and written with a personal touch, using scenes, dialogue and a variety of viewpoints.
Classes will focus on writing about a range of non-fiction genres: Food/cookery, Travel, Memoir and Lifestyle and reference texts & commentary by contemporary writers such as Geoff Dyer, Bill Bryson, Julie Burchell, Elizabeth Gilbert, David Sedaris, Nora Ephron, Jeffrey Steingarten, John Waters and Joseph O’connor. Extracts of articles from National Geographic and other international journals will be examined. Students will discuss and consider a variety of different presentations of a subject, and trigger exercises will serve as a starting point to encourage students to experiment with their own written voice as they evoke time place & mood
Allowing maximum time for writing and sharing of writing this class is for anyone who has an opinion and would like to write more creatively.
Suitable for complete beginners and anyone who would like to make their written work or presentations more engaging & lively.
| BELFIELD | ||
| 10 Tuesdays | Sep 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20, 27 | 7.30pm - 9.30pm |
|
FEE €190 |
Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716 7123 for Laser/ Credit Card payment |
Tutor Details:
Maureen Levy is Director at Creative Arts Training Company YES*manifesto. A selection of her memoirs was published in 2009 in “Cringe” published by Michael O’Mara. She is a Facilitator, artist, Writer/copywriter and improviser. Maureen has over 28 years’ experience teaching adults in a variety of settings and has designed and facilitated many creative and personal development courses. She is passionate about lifelong learning and has studied and continues to study in many different areas of the arts, from visual to written & performance.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered:
- Finding your voice: tone of voice
- What do I want to say?
- How do I want to say it? Experimenting with tone (outrage, passion, humour, fascination, curiosity)
- Finding the story. The importance of strong opening lines
- Memoir- life writing. Fleshing out Character
- Does honesty equal truth?? How honest should one be? Fact v opinion
- Setting the scene: evoking time & place
- Wish you were here! Writing the world
- Fleshing out characters
- Subjective V objective voice
- Spin doctoring!
Who is the course for?
This course is suitable for everyone from complete beginners to anyone who would like to make their written work/speeches presentations more engaging & lively.
Reading List:
The following is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content. We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests.
Out of Sheer Rage: Wrestling with DH Lawrence. Geoff Dyer. North Press 1999 isbn:0312429460
At Home: a short history of private life. Bill Bryson 2011. Black Swan isbn: 9780552772556
The Man who ate everything. Jeffrey Steingarten. 1998. Vantage Books isbn: 0372702024
Crackpot. John Waters, 1986. Fourth Estate isbn: 0947795634
Naked. David Sedaris 1997.Abacus isbn: 9780349119779
Love it or shove it. Julie Burchell 1985. Century Publishing. isbn: 071260746
