At the heart of so much great non-fiction are real people’s stories. On this course we will help you to discover how to capture the voices and lives of other people – through interviews and archival research – in order to create rich and compelling narratives. Over the week, non-fiction writers Lamorna Ash and John Grindrod will guide you through the whole process of how to write about and with other people’s stories – whether they are individuals you know, figures from history or stories you set out to discover on research trips.
You’ll explore how to find contributors and conduct successful interviews, as well as the ethics involved in the process; how to incorporate transcripts and archival material into propulsive, immersive narratives; and how to develop your own voice and style within your writing. You will also explore a range of examples – from journalists to biographers, nature writers to social historians – who have a keen sense of narrative and voice.
We welcome everyone from beginners to journalists and academics wanting to hone their craft to those with full drafts they want to work on. There are infinite stories out there just waiting to be heard; by the end of the week, you will be better equipped to tell them.