Creative Writing

With this essential grounding in the basic forms of creative writing, the student then goes on to study ancient and modern forms of fiction, drama and poetry. We look closely at how the oldest stories still pervade our life and our writing, and how we can employ those myths and legends ourselves, as so many contemporary writers are doing. The end of the course offers a range of optional modules and a Writing Project (which allows students to write an extended piece of prose or poetry).

Why study Creative Writing at Chester?

If you think of yourself as a creative person and enjoy reading and writing, then a combined honours degree in Creative Writing might be the perfect choice for you. Perhaps you have enjoyed studying literature and have admired the skills that the great writers of the past and present have brought to the subjects and themes that excite you. Well, why not become a creative writer yourself? Whether you want to write fiction, poetry, drama, film scripts, biography, journals or travel books, a course in Creative Writing will help you develop the techniques and skills you need to become an effective writer.

We place Creative Writing in a broad context, giving you an opportunity to practise writing in a variety of forms, styles and genres. Good creative writers are able to bring their creative skills to bear on many different kinds of writing. All writers, even the best in one field, have to write in a variety of ways: the successful novelist, for instance, usually also has to write factual prose, journalism, reviews, criticism, and essays. Our Creative Writing course recognises the importance of the range of writing skills to the student who wishes later to apply their expertise to a range of possible employment situations.

We also believe in the importance of exploring the skills, methods and techniques of some of the greatest authors of the past and present. To write good fiction you need to understand how other writers have met the challenges of characterisation, point of view, narrative voice, and plot. The good poet needs to know what poetic forms are possible, and how these have been used by others. But the most important part of your work will be the writing of your own prose, poetry and drama.