The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Writing Short Stories

They say we all have a novel inside us just crying out to be written! But if that seems simply too terrifying and demanding, the short story is the ideal way to ease yourself into your creative writing journey.

This 5-week course will explore the many forms of short fiction – from the 2000-word traditional short stories to the 100 word drabble, and everything in between.

We will cover how to get started, plotting, building believable characters and finding the perfect setting for your mini masterpiece.

Each week we will use accessible and thought-provoking writing prompts, supported by excerpts from contemporary short story writers, with plenty of time to share our work in a safe and supportive environment.

WEEK 1

Getting started, agreeing the course contents and guidelines to giving and receiving feedback. Our writing and supporting excerpts will focus on the drabble – the 100-word story.

WEEK 2

How to start a short story – how does this differ from longer fiction forms and techniques for capturing a reader’s attention from the first word. Our writing prompts and supporting excerpts will focus on getting those first paragraphs right.

WEEK 3

Don’t tell me, show me! How to build believable characters/interesting settings when every word counts. We will be working to a longer writing prompt to create a 250-word short story based on a character study, with an opportunity to use our excerpt to guide our work.

WEEK 4

Getting a little experimental – other forms of short fiction and micro stories that break the rules. We will be reading excerpts from Lydia Davis and Maggie Nelson and using experimental writing prompts.

WEEK 5

Editing and revising our work – what happens when you’ve written your first draft. This session will also include short individual mentoring time for each class member.

Tutor Cathi Rae is a widely published poet, spoken word artist, multiple poetry slam winner and workshop facilitator. Her work has appeared in journals, online magazines, poetry anthologies and art exhibitions. Cathi has performed throughout the UK at poetry events, festivals and arts events, and has been described as a spoken word icon! She has an MA in Creative Writing and PhD in Poetry from the University of Leicester.

Participants must be aged 18+.

A notebook and pen will be provided.

This 5-week course runs on Thursday evenings, 6pm - 8pm, starting on 30 October and ending on 27 November 2025.

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list - simply contact our box office team on / and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updatedTERMS & CONDITIONS before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park
for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort Hall).