Creative Writing Course: Fairy Tales & Lore

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A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features fantasy or magical elements, such as talking animals, enchanted objects, and supernatural beings. Fairy tales often have a moral or lesson and are passed down through oral tradition. They can be set in the real world or in a fantasy world, and they often involve a quest or journey.

This workshop is designed to teach participants about the traditional elements of fairy tales, including characters, structures, history, and themes. Through a series of lessons and exercises, participants will learn about these elements and how to use them in their own writing. After learning about these traditional elements, participants will be guided through the process of writing and creating their own original fairy tale story. The workshop is suitable for adults (aged 16+ years) and is designed to give participants the skills and knowledge they need to write their own fairy tales and develop their creativity.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this creative writing course, you should have:

• A comprehensive understanding of the structural elements of traditional fairy tales
• Proficiency in writing and storytelling techniques
• Experience in providing and receiving constructive feedback through peer review
• An enhanced ability to think creatively and develop their own unique fairy tale stories.

Course content

What will be covered in this fairy tale writing course?

Day/Session One:

• The first session of the workshop will provide an introduction to fairy tales, including their history and development. Participants will learn about the origins of fairy tales, how they have evolved over time, and how they differ from other types of stories.
• Participants will also learn about common themes and motifs found in fairy tales, such as the use of magic, the presence of a villain, and the role of the hero.
• The participants will also learn about common characters found in fairy tales, such as kings and queens, princesses and princes, evil witches and stepmothers, and so on.
• Students will meet at the Sydney Community College Rozelle Campus (2A Gordon Street, Rozelle) for a brief classroom session. After the initial classroom session, the participants will go for an inspirational afternoon outing, where they will spend an hour in the natural setting of Callan Park. They will engage in narrative writing exercises that focus on environment, place, and magic. This will allow them to gather inspiration from the natural world and explore the relationship between nature and fairy tales. Please wear appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear for the excursion to Callan Park.

Day/Session Two:

• The second session will be a writing day, where participants will focus on developing their own fairy tale stories. They will engage in exercises that help them to develop their characters and to create the world of their fairy tale story.
• They will learn about the different elements that make a fairy tale story interesting and engaging, such as plot, pacing, and dialogue. They will also learn about the importance of world-building in fairy tales and how to create a rich and believable fantasy world.

Day/Session Three:

• The third session will be focused on feedback, revision, and rewriting. Participants will share their stories with the group and receive constructive feedback from their peers and the instructor. This will give them the opportunity to improve their final draft and to make their stories as polished as possible before submitting them for final review.

Overall, the course will give participants an understanding of the traditional elements of fairy tales, and how to use them in their own writing. It will also give them the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop their own unique fairy tale stories.

Intended audience

Who is this novel writing course for?

This course is suitable for beginners and students with some creative writing experience.

Course materials

What to bring to class

• A notebook with removable pages
• Pen or pencil
• A laptop or tablet if this is what you prefer to write on (optional)
• Please wear appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear for the excursion to Callan Park in Week 1