Writing Fiction
Overview
Writing fiction is a workshop-based subject that enables students to progress from the genesis of idea through to completion of a final piece of work through the processes of research, discussion, workshopping of others' work and consideration of diverse approaches to storytelling, including First Nations perspectives. The unit also includes an analysis of other writers' practices to assist in the development of students' own writing and the structural and copy-editing skills required in writing fiction. By the end of the semester you will have experience in composing dialogue, narrative, point-of-view and character. You will be directed to a range of journals including niche publications and on-line publications and are encouraged to submit your work to publications and to writing competitions.
Requisites
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe the role of creative writing products and industries across diverse social and cultural contexts
- Apply critical self and peer evaluation of written stories for style, technique and effect
- Research, plan and apply the technical skills needed to craft short stories
- Collaborate using team workshopping processes to provide peer support and reflection to story development
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Activities Various | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 6.50 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment 1 | Individual | 30% | 2,3,4 |
| Written Assignment 2 |
Individual | 45% | 2,3,4 |
| Class Exercises |
Individual | 20% | 2,3 |
| Oral Presentation | Individual/Group | 5% | 1,2 |
Content
- Outline of the course and course requirements
- What is a ‘Short Story’: History and Context
- Plot Development for Short Stories
- Radical Shortness: Challenges of Brevity
- Voice and Point of View
- Editing and Revision
- Styles of Short Fiction: 'Dirty' Realism
- Setting and Location in Short Stories
- Pacing and Suspense in Short Stories
- Fractured Narratives in Short Stories
- Short Stories and Genre Fiction
- Publishing Short Fiction
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.