WN061 Your First Novel: Tools of the Trade

A run-through of current writing styles in fiction, exploring the technical tools that will help define your own style and approach to writing. Writing is a learned skill and requires a good deal of practice. Being aware of what you are trying to achieve, and what to avoid if you want to attract readers, is very helpful. Over six weeks we will define the core ingredients that go into good writing and examine excerpts from established writers today to show how these ingredients work on the page.  Then, if you are inspired to do so, you can try your own hand at these same techniques.

About the instructor: Gretel Furner is one of our most popular instructors. She grew up in England and was educated at Oxford University. She obtained a PhD on the modern novel at the University of the Saarland, Germany. Gretel has been Associate Professor at George Washington University, and instructor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.  She lives between London and Paris, and since 2003 has been an instructor at WICE in French Literature and History, the Migrant Soul series and Creative Writing.