57041 Advanced Narrative Writing

Handbook description

This subject emphasises narrative development, with close attention to the relationship between structure and content in traditional and experimental fiction. Craft skills appropriate to narrative writing are developed through exercises and sustained work on pieces of fiction, along with consideration of principles of editing and revision. The focus of the class is the students' own work. A range of narrative writing is read and discussed, integrating practical work with critical reflection on the processes of narrative writing. This is a core subject for postgraduate writing students and is suitable for students in other areas wishing to develop their writing through exercises and sustained work.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to:

1. be able to produce an extended piece of narrative fiction
2. bring focused critical skills to bear on their own and other's fiction narratives
3. develop original ideas in narrative form
4. understand how to revise and edit their own work
5. have developed some level of reading knowledge in relation to a variety of narrative forms.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject:

• enhances specific and general skills in writing
• develops a knowledge of specific genres of writing
• encourages a practical understanding of aesthetic debates
• enhances critical and creative thought in relation to contemporary writing.

Teaching and learning strategies

Sessions 1-8 will include a lecture about and discussion of the week's topic, followed by a writing workshop, in which students will critically discuss their own short pieces of writing relating to the week's topic.

They will also be asked to read and talk about a range of short fiction and other short narrative pieces throughout the semester. They will be asked to present a brief seminar on a chosen text, analysing its strengths and weaknesses from a writer's perspective. Research seminars will be scheduled for presentation during weeks 6-14

After initial exercises to develop craft skills, students will be asked to work on a sustained piece of narrative fiction of their own, developing it through several drafts. This work will be intensively workshopped through the class weeks 8-14 though sections may be introduced into the class in workshops during earlier weeks. The writing is submitted as the final and major element of the subject's assignments for assessment. It must be an original piece, written specifically in the context of this class.

Content

The class focuses on various aspects of technique and structure in writing fiction for the first half of the semester. Areas considered include issues to do with viewpoint , continuous and discontinuous forms of narrative, differences between short story form and longer forms such as novels and novellas, dialogue, characterisation, location, plot and narrative action and the deployment of thematic elements in fiction writing. In the later part of the semester the class focuses more on critical feedback on each student's creative work with an emphasis on editing and re-writing.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Minor Assignments: 600-700 word exercises

Assessment item 2: Research seminar: 10 minute seminar on a narrative text, either a short story or novel

Assessment item 3: 3000 word narrative

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

Recommended reading

• 'How Fiction Works' by James Wood, Jonathan Cape, 2008.
• The Art of Fiction, David Lodge (Penguin, 1992) Available in the Co-op bookshop.
• Self-editing for Fiction Writers, R. Brown and D. King (Harper Perennial, 1994, NY)
• Earnshaw, S. (Ed.) 2007, The Handbook of Creative Writing, EUP, Edinburgh.