AFRIC MCGLINCHEY
ONLINE CREATIVE WRITING COURSES
'Imaginary gardens with real toads in them'
- Marianne Moore
Using as a framework the techniques of a number of celebrated writers, we’ll play with a variety of triggers to let our stories reveal their true intentions. The participant receives the module on Friday, has five days to write a piece in response to the triggers, sends me the work on Wednesday, and receives both feedback and the next module the following Friday. This course is suitable for writers of all levels.
week 1 / characterisation
We’ll learn how to make characters come alive visually, as well as via dialogue and interior thought, with examples and an assignment.
week 2 / mood and atmosphere
Participants will be shown examples of stories that vividly evoke mood and atmosphere, and use these as templates for their own work.
week 3 / a sense of place
Great writers create a particular sense of a place. We’ll look at examples of how to make a place feel vivid for the reader.
week 4 / story arc
We’ll look at process of revelation in stories by master writers, in terms of pace and structure. Participants will also be given triggers to produce their own work.
week 5 / point of view
Again, after studying stories by the masters to uncover the mechanics, we will experiment with points of view.
week 6 / editing a piece of work
Editing, in my view, is the key to excellent writing, and writers should be prepared to do numerous drafts before considering a story ready for submission. Editing involves assessing the entry point of a story, pace of the narrative structure, each paragraph unit, word choice, title, proof-reading (for correct spelling and grammar) and, not least, identifying ‘false notes’ that don’t ring true with the writer’s own ‘voice’. We will attempt to address these issues in the final module, using an example of writing in need of editing. We learn by doing. Thereafter, participants can apply these editing skills to their own work.
Testimonials
Eilín de Paor
Many thanks for the great prompts and the challenge to try writing in new ways.
Catriona McGuire
I learnt so much in Afric’s ‘Writing Between the Lines’ course—I couldn’t believe how quickly the six weeks flew by!
Natalie Turner
Afric’s course was incredibly inspiring and helpful for my writing. The selected texts to study were great, and Afric’s comments, and feedback on student’s work was detailed and very insightful, and I looked forward every week to her class. I hope to sign up for more classes with Afric soon.
Joe Crowley
Afric's writing class helped me to write about some of the parts of myself that I had hidden from myself.
Mari Caulfield
I loved everything about the six weeks, your generosity and style of teaching and holding us between the lines. Lots to continue with and look forward to the next course you offer.
Beth Tyrell
Afric’s feedback had the wonderful effect of making me feel that I had permission to write what I had always wanted to write. It’s hard to describe how important that was; it changed my attitude and allowed me to deepen my writing and make it, I hope, clearer and more focused throughout. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Madelon Madhuri
Just completed my second in-person writing course with Afric. Her creative exercises are helpful and entertaining. Never a dull moment.
Alistair Martin
Afric's Writing Between the Lines course has helped renew my confidence and understanding, especially around interior monologue and temporal movement, as I head into the second draft of my novel. Afric delivers her classes with thoughtfulness and care. I’ve enjoyed and benefited a lot from her course.
Marika O’Sullivan
Thanks for the course, you are a wonderful writing tutor, I feel stretched and inspired.
Marie Wiseman
Afric is a gifted teacher, and I absolutely adored her creative writing course. Not only does she open your mind to different forms of writing, she encourages you to experiment with new techniques. Her feedback is honest and objective and some of my favourite pieces of writing came from attending her classes. I’d recommend Afric to anyone.