In a world that never was, but could have been, there existed a woman who created nearly possible fictions in her over-active, and slightly strange, imagination. Sometimes there were marvellous, almost credible machines; sometimes inventions of a mechanical, clockwork or an ethereal nature; sometimes there were things that were not quite of this planet and opened portals to another universe. Speculative fiction involves the creation of worlds that are close to a known reality but don’t actually exist. You may return to a time that existed and create a world that never was; imagine future technologies and scientific advances beyond our current lived experience; introduce mythical beings, ghostly apparitions and magical realism or ideas, concepts and beings that are supernatural or enchanted in nature. In an upsidedown world, come along and speculate about what could happen in an alternative reality – a reality that you will be encouraged to talk about, write, share and enjoy.
Course aim
Explore creative writing exercises to improve storytelling techniques and write your own speculative fiction. Everyone will be encouraged to share their writing but nobody will be expected to do so. A relaxed, informal course for enjoyment.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
- This course is for improvers
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- A good level of spoken English is required.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Use 'world-building' techniques to create a fictional world that appears 'real'.
- Develop an interesting, unique, complex and rounded character and understand their motivation.
- Write a short story with a beginning, a middle and an end, or produce a plan for a longer piece.
- Discuss fellow students' written work using Canvas or in live-time Zoom sessions
- Identify several speculative fiction sub-genres and explore two or three potential markets for your writing
What else do I need to know?
A sense of humour and an open mind
View full course information sheet
Art of Creative Writing; Speculative fiction - writing fantasy, sci-fi and more
