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Creative Writing for Complete Beginners

Ever had a story idea you wanted to put into a book? Ever watched a film and wondered what it would be like to have your work on screen... but you just never knew where to start?

Here. That's where.

Step into your imagination with this beginners course to Creative Writing. Learn the fundamentals of writing (plot, character, worldbuilding, genre...) through exploration of all manners of fiction; from novels and short stories to poetry and scriptwriting.

No experience needed. This six week course offers the chance to try something different in a friendly, unpressurised environment.

Give it a go. After all, who knows where your imagination could take you....


(Price stated for full six week course. Instalment options available on request. Contact getintouch@orwrite.com for more information.)

Basic Rules

You'll learn the fundamentals of storytelling. From short stories to script writing, you'll discover the key ingredients to story and how to use them to craft a great tale

Plotting

You'll cover different approaches to story plot and how they work across all styles of fiction

Character

You'll delve into the most loved and hated characters from literature, learning what makes them memorable and using them to inspire your own

Setting

You'll be encouraged to dive into worlds of your imagining, drawing on real experience to create immersive settings that jump from the page

Genre

You'll cover a range of genres, examining differences in approach, standards and reader expectation

What you'll learn

Prose

You'll have the chance to try your hand at novel form as well as short and flash fiction styles

Poetry

We'll look at a variety of poetry forms and get creative with all things lyrical

Scripts

We'll look at scripts from stage and screen to help you write scenes fit for the movies

What we'll cover

Course Dates & Times

Session
Day
Date
Start time
End time
Welcome
Tuesday
24/02/2026
19:00
21:00
Session 2
Tuesday
03/03/2026
19:00
21:00
Session 3
Tuesday
10/03/2026
19:00
21:00
Session 4
Tuesday
17/03/2026
19:00
21:00
Session 5
Tuesday
24/03/2026
19:00
21:00
Final Session
Tuesday
31/03/2026
19:00
21:00

Book your place now

Plymouth

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Reading Room

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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: 

    • Through guided writing exercises designed to develop your style, approach and thinking

    • Through pair and group activities that encourage supportive and collaborative working that helps develop specific skills to be used in individual exercises

    • Through individual feedback and reassuring guidance to help you build on your learning and hone your craft

  • 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. 

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