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Creative Writing

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Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the Creative Writing resources page.

Here you will find out exactly what our academics are looking for in their students, including skills they look out for, some of the topics they want you to know, recommended reading and useful places to boost your knowledge.

So without further ado let's get started!

Skills we are looking for

  • The most important ‘skill’ is the love of writing!
  • Having an enquiring mind about the world we live in
  • Imagination and creativity
  • A love of reading and a desire to understand texts
  • Technical writing skills, such as grammar and punctuation

Topics to explore before you start

Students should be familiar with the basic differences between literary genres such as:

  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Drama

This will provide them with an excellent introductory ‘tool kit’ with which to begin their university studies.

a group of students making notes in class

Recommended reading to prepare for university

  • Laplante, A. (2010) The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing, London, W.W.Norton. ISBN: 0393337081.
  • Bell, J., and Magrs, P. (2019) The Creative Writing Coursebook: Forty-Four Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry,  London, Macmillan. ISBN:1509868275.
a group of students relaxing and chatting on campus

Programmes to know

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft  Teams
  • Zoom

Websites our academics recommend

Writers & Artists:

Created in 2011 as a natural extension of their Yearbook, this site offers a completely free resource to writers and illustrators, providing guidance and advice on how to make progress with a project and get it published.

Professional bodies to research

The Society of Authors:

The SoA is the UK trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators, at all stages of their careers.

European Association of Creative Writing Programmes:

Founded in 2010, the EACWP is the most representative association of creative writing in continental Europe, embracing 29 institutional members and more than 15 European countries. English is the official language of the organisation. Nevertheless, one of its principle aims is working for a multilingual Europe and promote creative writing in all its wonderful and diverse European tongues, including English.

students in class looking through examples of texts

Courses Herts offer

Interested in studying Creative Writing here at Herts?

Take a look at our undergraduate courses below:

As part of these courses, you will have the opportunity to add an additional year to study abroad or do a work placement.

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    Contact us

    We hope you all found these resources useful but we appreciate that you may have more questions.

    If you have any questions regarding our campuses, facilities, accommodation or just general life here at Herts, you can contact current Herts students via Unibuddy.