13 July: Writing Fiction from Real Life with Bethan Roberts
Led by award winning author, Bethan Roberts, this workshop will explore how to use research to kick-start and guide your creativity.
How can we use historical research to create fictional stories? We will consider what research for creative writers can be, and look at different ways to go about it. The emphasis will be on the joy involved in delving deeper into something that fascinates you.
Through writing exercises you will practice turning the stuff of research into the stuff of story, considering how letters, objects, and images can be transformed into fiction. You will hone your skills of selection, thinking about which parts of your research to put into a story, and which to leave out. Your tutor will provide research materials.
We will also consider the responsibilities of the writer who uses real lives, and the pitfalls of using research in fiction.
Abouth Bethan Roberts:
Bethan Roberts has published five novels and writes stories and drama for BBC Radio 4. Her books include The Good Plain Cook (Serpent’s Tail, 2008), which was a Radio 4 Book at Bedtime; My Policeman (Chatto & Windus, 2012), the story of a 1950s policeman, his wife, and his male lover (now an Amazon Original movie); and Mother Island (Chatto, 2014), which received a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered prize. Her latest novel, Graceland, tells the story of Elvis Presley and his mother, Gladys. Bethan has taught Creative Writing at Chichester University and Goldsmiths College, London. She lives in Brighton with her family.
Ticket options
Led by award winning author, Bethan Roberts, this workshop will explore how to use research to kick-start and guide your creativity.
How can we use historical research to create fictional stories? We will consider what research for creative writers can be, and look at different ways to go about it. The emphasis will be on the joy involved in delving deeper into something that fascinates you.
Through writing exercises you will practice turning the stuff of research into the stuff of story, considering how letters, objects, and images can be transformed into fiction. You will hone your skills of selection, thinking about which parts of your research to put into a story, and which to leave out. Your tutor will provide research materials.
We will also consider the responsibilities of the writer who uses real lives, and the pitfalls of using research in fiction.
Abouth Bethan Roberts:
Bethan Roberts has published five novels and writes stories and drama for BBC Radio 4. Her books include The Good Plain Cook (Serpent’s Tail, 2008), which was a Radio 4 Book at Bedtime; My Policeman (Chatto & Windus, 2012), the story of a 1950s policeman, his wife, and his male lover (now an Amazon Original movie); and Mother Island (Chatto, 2014), which received a Jerwood Fiction Uncovered prize. Her latest novel, Graceland, tells the story of Elvis Presley and his mother, Gladys. Bethan has taught Creative Writing at Chichester University and Goldsmiths College, London. She lives in Brighton with her family.
Our payments are processed using : WorldPay
