I'm an Associate Lecturer at the University of Chichester; I run workshops at sixth form colleges, literary festivals and prisons, and I taught for many years at Surrey Adult Learning. I have an MA and a PhD in English and Creative Writing and I write both commercial and literary fiction. My classes in Churt are open to everyone. Through a series of writing exercises we explore all aspects of creative writing including plot, setting, characterisation, voice, viewpoint, dialogue, genre etc.
The courses are suitable for all abilities, whether you're a total beginner or a more experienced writer. In a friendly, comfortable environment you can share your work (if you wish to) and receive and offer constructive feedback. I offer advice on getting published and encourage you to submit to competitions, magazines and anthologies. Many of my students have had publishing and competition success.
(If you enjoy discussing fiction as much as writing it, come along to the book club at the Bel and the Dragon pub in Churt. We meet every six to eight weeks for delicious food, a glass of wine and some bookish talk. New dates coming soon; contact the Bel and the Dragon Pub for details)
The courses are suitable for all abilities, whether you're a total beginner or a more experienced writer. In a friendly, comfortable environment you can share your work (if you wish to) and receive and offer constructive feedback. I offer advice on getting published and encourage you to submit to competitions, magazines and anthologies. Many of my students have had publishing and competition success.
(If you enjoy discussing fiction as much as writing it, come along to the book club at the Bel and the Dragon pub in Churt. We meet every six to eight weeks for delicious food, a glass of wine and some bookish talk. New dates coming soon; contact the Bel and the Dragon Pub for details)
Ten Week Courses
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One-day workshops
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Private Tuition
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If you have an aspiring writer in the family, I offer gift vouchers for birthdays, holidays and special occasions.
To book or for more information, contact me at: [email protected]
To book or for more information, contact me at: [email protected]
Endorsements and Revews
‘Melanie is a fantastic teacher. She has tons of energy and enthusiasm and makes every session really fun, but is also really insightful in her analysis of storytelling. I have learned so much from her classes, and with her help and encouragement, my stories have won a number of literary competitions.’
Julie E
I keep signing up for Mel's workshops as the atmosphere is always friendly, where everyone feels safe and happy to share their writing. I always come away with something to work on; one flash fiction that came from nowhere during one of Mel's writing exercises went on to be shortlisted in the Bridport Prize.
Tracey D
Melanie is an inspirational teacher. Her knowledge is impressive and she is the most perceptive of readers. She can pin-point exactly why a story isn’t working and with a few gentle suggestions she helps me to see how my writing can be improved. Melanie creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels confident airing their thoughts. The exercises we do in class are fun and fresh- they never feel repetitive- and sometimes the results are unexpected. I love her classes and look forward to Thursdays.
Kari G
"With all the Creative Writing teachers around, I feel lucky that I found Melanie's classes - interesting and valuable course content, well taught, well documented, delivered with an entertaining, easy manner that gets everyone involved. Plus, people tell me I'm now a better writer."
Bill H
Melanie has the elusive quality of charisma without intimidation. She enables writers to unearth their talent and is uniquely positive and encouraging. She brings out the absolute best from her students. All this - but most importantly she has the most wonderful sense of humour, I always come away from the classes buzzing!
Poppy N
"Melanie's classes are so inspiring. I have attended her day courses and regular termly courses, but whichever, Melanie creates a great environment for writing and her analysis and critiquing is so insightful and beneficial, my writing has improved immensely as a result. I cannot recommend Melanie's classes more strongly."
Emmanuel L
Melanie creates a safe and supportive space in which to learn the technical aspects of writing and bare your soul sharing your work. She has really helped me to analyse and self-edit, too, as she is great at teasing out where your strengths and weaknesses lie. My writing, and my confidence in it, has developed beyond expectations after just a couple of terms. Highly recommend her as a tutor.
Lesley E
Forget those dreary sessions at school about misplaced commas and ‘serious’ writing. Mel’s classes are a constant delight, full of helpful encouragement and useful advice. She always finds something to praise in even the dullest of stories. And we really learn most from the feedback sessions on other people’s work.
Len D
Mel creates a really friendly and comfortable environment and since I’ve been coming to her workshops I’ve been shortlisted for three competitions and won one! She’s given me real confidence and has (amongst other things!) helped me understand how to create a story arc.
Suzie G
Melanie is truly inspirational and fun. Her teaching style is engrossing and she has a knack of making creative writing ideas spring to life in your mind - I've been amazed at some of the stories that have appeared in my head during her courses (I've been on a few). The rest of the building knows when Melanie's class is taking place because of all the laughter coming from the room. If you want to learn the craft of writing then Melanie will teach you all you need to know.
Karen K
Melanie’s classes create an engaging and lively atmosphere through which to explore, discuss and tackle a wide range of genres and writing techniques. There is a reassuring balance between feeling challenged and being encouraged to put pen to paper and celebrate whatever the outcome may be!
Jane L
I am into my second term of the writing course with Melanie, and really enjoying it. We have covered many aspects of writing prose and poetry, and several genres. I have found I need to have some homework to give me the self discipline to write regularly, and can honestly say that the exercises are fun and inspiring. The students are encouraged to share their work, and the environment that Melanie creates is positive and encouraging.
Rachel P
Mel has a brilliant knowledge of the mechanics of writing and a real a flare for freeing the creativity in others. Great fun with lots to learn, she’s a diamond, loved it.
Alan G
I've been attending Melanie's writing course for the last three years and her weekly class is something I look forward to as it covers many different writing genres. Her engagement with us all is infectious and never fails to inspire me and the rest of my classmates to write and 'put it out there', with encouragement to enter writing competitions and/or send stories or poems to weekly or online magazines.
David R
'I've attended Melanie’s courses at her home and also engaged her, several times, to run workshops for the West Sussex Writers with classes of up to forty or more. One of the defining characteristics or her teaching style is just how much unforced energy she brings with her into the room. The fact that she's able to combine this with a deep and wide knowledge of her craft, as well draw on her own successful career, makes for an intense and entertaining learning experience.
Richard Buxton (multi award winning author of Whirligig)
I have never dabbled in fiction writing till I attended Melanie's creative writing classes. She is a fantastic teacher with a skill to ignite the ability to write stories within you. She is lots of fun to learn from and so enthusiastic in her delivery and I absolutely look forward to each class.
Sharan K
Mel is a lively, perceptive and inspiring teacher/leader whose experience, clear delivery and appropriate use of humour promote effective learning, much enjoyment and group cohesion.
Martin A
Melanie is not only enthusiastic about all forms of writing but also passionate about eliciting the optimum creative response from her students. But the best part of all is that we have great fun doing it! Highly recommended!
Annie H
Melanie is a stimulating teacher of creative writing. She goes about the business of creative writing in a professional way but has a lively personality and a great sense of humour.
Jac S
“ I’ve been to a Saturday morning class and an eight week evening course, both fun, stimulating and interesting, with a reasonable chance I will be able to write something by the end of it”
Louis M
Melanie runs a lively, interesting class and is an expert at pinpointing the positive aspects of her students' work.She has a great sense of humour and puts everyone at ease. Enjoy.
Janet W
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
