Graham Tugwell

Creative Writing Courses

As an award-winning writer of horror short stories and role playing games, I offer courses on all aspects of creative writing for both adults and young writers alike. A full prospectus of the courses are below. For prices and booking, please contact grahamgtugwell@gmail.com

COURSES FOR KIDS

Greetings, Heroes! is an interactive storytelling experience where four teams of students play the role of four adventurers undertaking a perilous mission, each with their own special abilities and unique magical items (found on simple character sheets supplied to each group) Greetings, Heroes! is improvised in real time – as in a choose-your-own-adventure-book, or Dungeons & Dragons, I guide the four adventurers through a series of challenges. As each obstacle or puzzle is encountered, the players must work together and decide on a course of action. Each choice changes the flow of the story – will the door they choose lead to success or further peril? Will they solve the puzzles within or trigger a deadly trap? Will they find wondrous treasure or a terrible fate? Their choices – and the dice – will decide. For more information visit the dedicated Greetings, Heroes! page here.
Winner of the School Excellence Award 2018, Greetings, Heroes has been brought to over fifty schools and festivals.

An Introduction to Writing is a half-day creative writing camp aimed at new writers wishing to explore the hobby and develop their skills. There are two versions, one tailored for kids aged 8-12 and older kids 13-16, both aimed at guiding young writers through the process of creating their own stories, from initial idea to finished work, covering story structure, characters and plotting, aided by fun, practical tasks throughout.

This workshop for young writers turns a blank canvas into a unique fantasy world, prompted by imaginative suggestions from participants, creating a collaborative space in which to imagine their own stories. Guided by world building questions, students create an entire world, from magical geography to strange civilisations, to a whole mythology of brave heroes and dread villains. This workshop empowers students’ imaginations and showcases the power of story by integrating and developing their suggestions, creating a complex and dynamic world that teachers can use as a resource for further stories.

From Player to Dungeon Master is a workshop focused on taking that often scary and intimidating step from being a player to running your own role-playing game. This workshop incorporates not only on creative aspects like world-building and character design, but also practical life skills like group management, performance, public speaking, goal setting, and creating a positive collaborative atmosphere which DnD is a perfect vehicle for. This content is aimed particularly young at male teens who might lack an avenue to assert themselves creatively, encouraging them to have confidence, and to operate in a team-based environment.

COURSES FOR ADULTS

An Introduction to Writing is a half-day creative writing seminar aimed at adult writers of any age and any level of experience and ability, aimed at introducing those new to the hobby to the fundamentals of the craft. From character creation, to plot and setting, to style and editing, this intensive workshop covers everything a writer needs to embark on creating their own stories.

From First Idea to Final Draft is a six-week course aimed at adult writers who wish to further develop their skills. Each session focuses on one aspect of the writing process, from developing initial concepts, through plotting and drafting, to the final editing process. There are two versions of this course – the standard six-week course, and a longer twelve-week course, where six biweekly sessions are supplemented by practical tasks delivered online in the intervening weeks, with extensive feedback provided on the work produced.

Frightening Fictions is a workshop aimed at adult writers who wish to expand their horizons by delving into the macabre and the ghoulish, discussing what sets Horror apart as a genre, its goals and purpose, and what is necessary to create an effective Horror tale. This workshop focuses upon effective plotting with twists, striking imagery, and creating mood and suspense.