The Short Story

Course Summary

This practical course will teach you techniques to craft wonderfully imaginative short stories that will not only appeal to readers but hold onto their attention. Learn how to get ideas, develop characters, write believable dialogue, plotting and a whole lot more.

This is a practical course covering essential techniques in the craft of short story writing. Each session includes instruction on a particular writing technique, discussion of extracts and stories, inspirations for writing and creative writing exercises. You will be encouraged to share your writing within the class and learn about the redrafting process.

By the end of the course you will have:

• A greater understanding of the craft of short story writing.
• A collection of imaginative short pieces each focusing on a particular short story writing technique.
• Ideas and plans for stories, one or two of which will completed during the course.
• Added confidence in writing stories that engage and keep the interest of your readers.

Please bring paper and writing materials, plus a readiness to learn and a mind open to new writing experiences.

Student feedback:

“Now that we’ve finished the course, Beverley, I give you special thanks for your practical help, useful advice, specialist knowledge and challenging exercises that you set the class. You are an excellent teacher — sufficiently flexible to digress when necessary, but focused on essential tasks at the same time. You stretched when pressured!” Graeme

“I have found Beverley’s practical, flexible and interactive style, as well as her prompting exercises, extremely effective and valuable.” Patrick 

“Beverley’s teaching style strikes a happy balance between a structured approach that provides students with the toolkit they need to develop and improve their writing and an earthy humanity that encourages them to explore and unlock their creative potential.” George 

Beverley Eikli was a journalist and features writer for newspapers and magazines in Adelaide, Sydney and Perth before she began writing fiction and non-fiction under three pen names.

www.beverleyoakley.com and www.beverleysbooks.com