Courses
Always wanted to write? Is your brain rattling with undeveloped story ideas? Or maybe you just have the one. A potential bestseller even… if only it was written.
But you have no clue where to start.
Perhaps you’ve tried once or twice but you lost the plot (and the confidence) somewhere along the way and ‘The End’ came before it should have.
And that’s alright. Every writer hits snags (and annoyingly frequent losses of confidence) every so often.
How do they get over it?
With an arsenal of learned writerly tools, a little guidance and a community of reassuring and sympathetic voices…
… which is exactly what Orwrite Creative Writing courses offer.
With six and twelve week courses covering everything from novels and short stories to poetry, screenplays and picture books, choose your route from idea inception to finished manuscript and write the stories you’ve always dreamed of.
Tea & Coffee
Guided Writing
Community
Focused
Friendly
Affordable
Introduction to Writing for Children
6-Week Course - £80
If you're a parent or a grandparent, there are probably a few stories you could recite by heart. Even if you're not, you can probably remember those stories you chose to read in childhood again and again (...and again).
Either way, you might have a brilliant idea for a children's book, film or TV show but have no idea how- or where- to start.
We've got you!
This six week beginners course will guide you through the fundamentals of story telling and explore fiction for toddlers to young adults to inspire you to write exactly the kind of stories children will want to come back to again and again (... and again).
(Price stated for full six week course. Instalment options available on request. Contact getintouch@orwrite.com for more information.)
Developing Your Novel Idea
8-Week Course - £95
Turn your novel idea into a structured, compelling story. This eight-week course helps you develop characters, plot, and direction so you can start writing with confidence.
Writer's Workshop
12-Week Course - £110
Take your writing further with this friendly and practical 12-week course.
Through guided exercises, group discussion and constructive feedback, you’ll explore the essential building blocks of effective writing, including character, plot, setting, genre and the basic rules that help bring a piece together.
You’ll experiment with prose, poetry and scriptwriting while developing your own ideas and discovering the forms and styles that suit you best. Whether you’ve completed an introductory course or already enjoy writing independently, this workshop will help you build confidence, improve your technique and keep your creativity flowing.
The course runs on Fridays from 1pm–3pm at Stoke Methodist Church, from 18 September to 11 December 2026. There is no session on 30 October.
Places are limited to 12 participants.
Introduction to Creative Writing
6-Week Course - £80
Ever had a story idea you wished you could turn into a book? Or watched a film and wondered what it would feel like to see your own story on screen — but never know where to start?
This six-week Creative Writing course is designed especially for complete beginners. In a friendly and relaxed environment, you'll explore the foundations of storytelling and discover how writers bring ideas to life on the page.
Across the course, you'll experiment with different forms of writing, from short stories and novels to poetry and scriptwriting, while learning essential techniques such as:
• Developing characters
• Building engaging plots
• Creating believable worlds
• Exploring genre and style
• Finding and developing story ideas
Each session includes guided exercises, discussion, and time to explore your own ideas. There is no pressure to share your work unless you want to — the focus is on creativity, exploration, and building confidence.
No previous writing experience is needed—just curiosity and imagination.
Give it a try after all, who knows where your imagination might take you.
(Price stated for full six-week course. Instalment options available on request — contact getintouch@orwrite.com for details.)
Skill Building for Creative Writers
6-Week Course - £75
A six-week beginner course to help you start writing with confidence. Learn the fundamentals of storytelling, explore different styles, and bring your ideas to life.
Perfection: The Writer's Nemesis
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Just yourself. Notebooks and pens will be provided as well as everything else you need to engage in the sessions. Of course, if you have a favourite pen or notebook you prefer, by all means bring them along.
Not at all — Orwrite courses are open to everyone from beginners to seasoned writers, in search of a refresher.
We've chosen course venues around the city that are easily accessible and which offer the quiet and space to learn in a comfortable environment. All venues are on bus routes and all have parking nearby.
At Orwrite, we believe the only way to learn is by doing. That's why all Orwrite courses will give you the chance to develop your skill and your confidence in writing:
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Through guided writing exercises designed to develop your style, approach and thinking
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Through pair and group activities that encourage supportive and collaborative working that helps develop specific skills to be used in individual exercises
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Through individual feedback and reassuring guidance to help you build on your learning and hone your craft
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Don't worry. We know not everyone can be available, just in the daytime or in the evenings. That's why we deliberately offer courses on a rolling basis; offering the same courses across the day and into the evening. If a course isn't available at the time you want it, check back the following term for alternative course timings. Alternatively, sign up for our newsletter to get updates on upcoming courses.
In the meantime, why not book onto a retreat to get your creative juices flowing?
Sorry to hear you're not enjoying the course you enrolled on. We get that sometimes courses can feel overwhelming or you chose a creative area you aren't fully comfortable with.
Unfortunately, we can't offer refunds beyond the first week of learning. If you find, however, after the first week that a course isn't for you, we will do our best to accommodate, either refunding the difference (excluding week 1 fees) or transferring you to a more appropriate alternative course. Just drop us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.