Flash! A Creative Lab for Writers of Fiction, Memoir and Creative Nonfiction



Overview

In creative writing, 'flash' refers to complete pieces of fiction, memoir or creative nonfiction, typically of 1,000 words or fewer. Flash is fun to write and read, and is widely published internationally in top literary journals.

Importantly, flash offers writers a short feedback loop. This makes it the ideal immersive platform for creative experimentation for beginners and experienced writers alike. 

In this fun and fast-paced class, you'll work with the genre of your choosing: fiction, memoir or creative non-fiction. 

Each day you'll focus on a single element of your writerly craft (for instance, character, narration, editing.) We'll begin with a quick reading and discussion of a published piece, followed by a tutor-guided writing session, designed to let you try new methods and approaches in your own writing. 

As our day progresses, we'll move to group reading and discussion of our own work – leveraging the diversity in our class as our laboratory – to find out what works well, and what merits development. Each day will finish with tutor-led practical advice for improvement.

Through daily writing, critical reading and discussion, you'll hone new skills, develop your critical eye – and create a small portfolio of written work to take home.

This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.

Programme details

Seminars

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor.

Sunday

Seminar 1: Character

Whether your central character is fictional, historical, a family member or you yourself, characters are your reader’s eyes and ears in the story you’re hoping to tell. We’ll explore techniques for character creation

Seminar 2: Reading and discussion

Character memorability, and subversion of expectations.

Monday

Seminar 3: Setting (and character)

Can a character have ‘landscape’ – emotional, physical, or otherwise? And can a setting have character? We’ll explore how these two essential elements of storytelling intertwine, and how, combined, they work to drive plot.

Seminar 4: Reading and discussion of our work.

Leveraging the senses and imagery; using a 'lens' technique to add depth.

Tuesday

Seminar 5: Plot

What is it, how do you make it, and how much is required? Writing short forces us to consider plot episodically, and to make moments count.

Seminar 6: Reading and discussion

Identifying the ‘shift' of plot, and how the episodic approach stands to enrich longer-form writing.

Wednesday

Seminar 7: Narrative choices, narrative distances

Whose story is it, who gets to tell it – and how close does the reader stand with regard to characters and events?

Seminar 8: Reading and discussion of our work

What happens when the narrative voice moves closer or further away?

Thursday

Seminar 9: Beginnings and endings

How do you hook a reader and pull them in? How do you end in a way that keeps them thinking about your piece? Well look at some surprising examples, and explore techniques from literature and beyond.

Seminar 10: Reading and discussion

Impacts, beginning and ending in the right places; identifying themes; and working our way towards the perfect title.

Friday

Seminar 11: Editing and formats

Can your story benefit from an unconventional means of telling? We’ll drill into words, presentation, and the creative choices open to us as storytellers.

Seminar 12: Reading and discussion

Considering new versus conventional formats for telling the story

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturday

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sunday – Friday

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Certification

Certificate of Attendance

All participants who complete the course will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Academic credit

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4.

CATS points will be awarded to students who attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment to the required standard. Please see the 'assessment methods' section below for more details.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit (CATS points) earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education. This part-time, award-bearing course lets you decide what, how and where you study by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, in-person weekly classes and OUSSA.

For full details, including transfering credit gained from OUSSA to the programme, see our Certificate of Higher Education programme page.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2205.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2310.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1850.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1375.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify. 

The concessionary fee is for non-residential attendance only; participants will then be responsible for finding their own accommodation. See full details including eligibility.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
  • If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Ms Gail Anderson

Gail Anderson is a writer of short forms: flash fiction, short story, creative non-fiction and poetry. Recent writing has taken first prize in the Edinburgh Award for Flash Fiction, Reflex Fiction, The Writers’ Bureau, Winchester Writers’ Festival, and the Scottish Arts Trust Story Awards. Twice shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, her work appears in journals such as Ambit, Mslexia, Popshot and The Southampton Review. 

Course aims

This course aims to help writers of all levels focus on what matters to them in telling the story; to acquire and hone the skills that help to engage readers; and to increase their confidence in creative writing and critical reading.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Physical handouts
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Student presentations
  • Video recordings

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will have been given the opportunity to understand:

  • how character, plot and setting work together;
  • how to leverage the experience of the reader and pull them into the story being told;
  • how to make best use of sensory detail and imagery;
  • how to read closely and discuss style and approaches to writing, both in your own work and in the work of others; and
  • how to make use of new techniques for writing and editing.

Assessment methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment.

Participants will also attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

Please see the 'certification' section for more details about CATS points.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of this page.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online. 

Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)

Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

Residential options are outlined below.

Please see the 'application' section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you.

Residential option

This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 

View full details of Rewley House accommodation.

Non-residential option

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support