Beginning again
a winter course for new fiction writers
January always feels like a hinge point - one of those rare thresholds where the year hasn’t quite decided what it will become. It’s a good time to begin something, or to begin again. If you’ve been circling the idea of writing fiction but haven’t yet found the right doorway in, we’re offering a course that might be exactly the right kind of beginning.
Dialect are running an online course, Beginning to Write Fiction, taught by novelist and writing mentor Dr Melanie Golding. It unfolds gently over ten weeks, with five evening sessions on Zoom (5 & 19 January, 2 & 16 February, and 2 March, 7–9.30pm). It’s designed for anyone who wants to start writing fiction - whether you’re staring down the blank page with dread or curiosity.
The structure of the course emphasises beginnings, and not just the first lines of a story, but the beginnings of a writing practice. Across the sessions, Melanie will guide participants through:
Finding different entry points into a story
Plotting and planning without losing the spark
Characterisation and voice
Prose style and pace
The art (and relief!) of finishing something
There’s space to create new work, share drafts if you want to, and receive gentle, supportive feedback. The course also touches on publication—how different forms of fiction find their way into the world, and what to expect along the way.
By the end, you’ll have a handful of new beginnings, a clearer sense of your voice, and practical tools for shaping and completing short fiction.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start writing, this might be it.
The course costs £150 (£125 concession), and you can book through Dialect’s website.
Note that we currently have some flexible payment options on our website, including pay in three instalment options.
We know how transformative it can be to step into a room - virtual or otherwise- where everyone is beginning together. If you join, we’d love to hear how you get on.
