This creative writing course uses the interactive workshop method to teach the craft of writing a good story. The word “story” includes fictional stories and creative non-fiction stories/essays. Students needs and interests would be taken into consideration, and as the course progresses they would be able to focus on fiction and/or creative nonfiction.
We will pay special attention to the importance of detail, serious noticing, and deep listening. What non-fiction writers can learn from fiction writers and vice versa? How does one energize readers rather than paralyzing them?
We will closely read fragments from fiction and nonfiction writers, and write short pieces inspired by objects, images, and walks. By the end of the course each student will have a good first draft of a short story or a creative non-fiction essay ready.
The course will appeal to graduate and undergraduate students from all disciplines. Please note: The course is not designed to help improve English language skills.
Participation does not require any previous experience in creative writing. It is open to university students from all disciplines: arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, medicine, psychology, economics and so forth. Students with intermediate creative writing experience are also welcome.
Please note: due to the time difference between Germany and Canada, the workshop will take place during the evening hours in Germany.
Students may obtain either 3 KP or 6 KP in this course, depending on the workload they take on. Students who have already participated in previous courses will be able to attend as guests if space permits, but will not be able to gain more than a total of 6 KP. It will also be possible to participate purely out of interest, without obtaining credit points, but in case of overbooking preference may be given to participants wishing to obtain credit points.
Duration: 7 days in the period of July 11 to July 22nd, 2024.
Conducted: online
Number of hours: 28
Credits allowed: 3 or 6

Activities include:
[1] Presentations/conversations on the craft of fiction/creative non-fiction.
[2] Suggested Readings. (Books, stories and essays)
[3] Writing assignments.
[4] One-on-one manuscript consultations.
[5] Group critiquing and conversations about writing.
[6] Online public readings of work created during the workshop.
[7] Additional workshop (for students with intermediate writing skills)