Writing Fiction Essentials: Character, Description and Dialogue



Overview

This weekend provides an inspiring and informative introduction to the essential elements of effective prose fiction.

Designed to deepen your understanding of the key components of creative writing, the weekend will boost your confidence in your ability to create the stories you want to tell and know how to tell them.

We will look in detail at the four pillars on which all great stories rely: character, dialogue, description and narrative structure and there will be ample opportunities throughout the weekend for you to experiment with a range of specific writing tools and techniques.

You will be encouraged to think in new and dynamic ways about these fiction essentials and the craft of story-telling they serve.

Expect to leave with a spring in your creative step and equipped with an array of practical tips and ideas to inspire and hone your own writing.

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 UTC on 12 March 2025.

Programme details

Saturday 15 March

9.45am:
Registration at Rewley House Reception

10am:
Character in Place: How to start your story

11.15am:  
Tea/coffee break

11.45am:
Character and Journey: How to develop narrative drive

1pm:
Lunch break

2pm:
Character, Plot and Conflict: How to create dramatic tension

3.15pm:
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm:
Friends and Foes and Others: How to develop secondary characters

5pm:
End of day

7pm:
Dinner (optional)

Sunday 16 March

8am:
Breakfast (residents only)

10am:
The World of Your Story: How to develop scene-setting, description and metaphor

11.15am:
Tea/coffee break

11.45am:
Conversation, Conflict and What Goes Unsaid: How to develop character-led dialogue

1pm:
Lunch break

2pm:
Tell Your Story: How to develop your own narrative voice and style

3.15pm:
Tea/coffee break

3.45pm:
Shape Your Story: How to develop narrative point of view and how to edit. 

5pm:
End of weekend

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee (includes tea/coffee) £250.00
Saturday baguette lunch £7.30
Saturday dinner £28.50
Saturday hot lunch £19.25
Single B&B (Saturday night) £113.00
Single room only (Saturday night) £98.00
Sunday baguette lunch £7.30
Sunday hot lunch £19.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Ms Elizabeth Garner

Tutor

Elizabeth Garner is a novelist and editor with 25 years of experience of story-development in both film and publishing. She was written two novels: Nightdancing, which received the Betty Trask Award; and The Ingenious Edgar Jones, which was published to critical acclaim in the UK and USA. She has also published a collection of illustrated folk tales: Lost & Found. She is a freelance fiction editor and also teaches creative writing for OUDCE.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in the price, but if you wish to stay with us the night before the course, then please contact our Residential Centre.

Accommodation in Rewley House - all bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms. Please contact our Residential Centre on +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk for details of availability and discounted prices. For more information, please see our website: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/accommodation

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support