MA Creative Writing

This module focuses on concepts, skills and techniques for the pre-writing development of a full-length narrative project. Each session examines a particular element of pre-writing, building into a complete process you can use to hone and shape a potential novel, graphic novel, screenplay or interactive project. The first few weeks interrogate the initial stages of your creative process, such as defining the purpose of your work, examining ways to develop ideas into stories, and using contextual reading and research to enhance the authenticity and originality of your project. Next you will explore thematic architecture and linguistic development to enrich your world-building and create a purposeful network of themes and ideas underpinning your narrative. The following weeks are devoted to characterisation and structure, helping you build unique characters and define the most appropriate choice of tone and narrative position(s) for your project. Plot and synopsis writing bring your learning journey to its conclusion, giving you the tools to shape a compelling journey for your project and its characters while embracing the challenges of perfect pacing and elegant exposition.

Further information

Major Project is the culmination of all your learning on the MA. Depending on your chosen specialism it’s an opportunity to begin your novel in earnest and plan its path to publication, or to produce a high quality showcase of work in another medium, which can be used to approach agents, publishers, producers or developers. The module begins with a detailed induction session, to help you focus on the challenges ahead. After which, you’ll embark on intensive individual work, supported by three one-to-one supervision sessions of one hour and 20 minutes. A week before each session you’ll send up to 5,000 words of work-in-progress to your supervisor for feedback, problem-solving and discussion. You can also use supervision sessions to discuss your reading, research, critical reflection and personal development planning. Following Major Project marking, you’ll have a final one-to-one tutorial to discuss your Professional Development Plan, where the programme’s tutors will offer detailed advice on the next steps in your career.

Further information

This module shifts the focus from your own writing to work with other creators’ stories and characters. The first few weeks tackle abridgement, learning how to cut stories sympathetically and efficiently. Next you will explore fiction editing, a key vocational skill that can also improve your own practice as a writer. The module looks at working with pre-created characters, and investigates ghost-writing. An entire session is devoted to collaborative working, a crucial ability that does not come naturally to all writers. In the final weeks you’ll learn best practice for introducing yourself and your work to a wider audience, tackling the challenges and professional skills necessary to build a portfolio career as a freelance writer in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Further information

In this module you’ll focus on the practical application of a range of professional techniques, and on building the vital skills of pre-writing decision making, critical self-reflection and editorial dialogue. The module is a development journey, beginning with the foundational principles of first person writing: condition of narration, device and register. You’ll then begin to practise more complex techniques, such as subtext and counter narrative, the unreliable narrator and positioning an active reader.

Through weekly writing challenges and masterclass discussions, you’ll learn how to make fast, purposeful decisions about a story before writing, how to craft short pieces to briefs and deadlines, and how to critically analyse and improve upon early drafts. As well as gaining a detailed understanding of the demands of first person prose, you will develop the core professional practices you’ll need for the Trimester 2 Writing Practice options, Major Project, and the rest of your writing career.

Further information