Introduction

This course, Creative writing, and critical reading explores the importance of reading as part of a creative writer’s development at the postgraduate (MA) level. You will gain inspiration and ideas from examining other writers’ methods, as well as enhancing your critical reading skills. A diverse range of examples will cover the genres of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and scriptwriting. You will be able to listen to professional writers discussing the creative process in relation to their reading habits. You will also have the opportunity to apply the insights you have gleaned to your own writing, by producing a short creative piece in your chosen genre.

Learning Outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the importance of reading as part of a creative writer’s development
• Engage analytically and critically with a range of literary and media texts
• Recognize how critical reading supplies writers with inspiration and ideas
• Understand through writing practice one or more of the genres of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and scriptwriting
• Engage with postgraduate modes of reading and writing practice.