Open University English Literature and Creative writing degree,

[Jedimastermama]

Hi,
I am thinking about doing a degree with the OU. My background is nursing but I do not wish to undertake anything nursing related.

I am currently a SAHM and will be for another year. I enjoy reading and really want to do something that will stimulate my mind and get me reading more (when little one is asleep).

Is anyone doing this course at the moment? Or already completed their degree. How did you find the course?

Thank you 😊

[FoulMouthedMotherFigure]

Hi Jedimastermama - I did the two Creative Writing modules, A215 and A363, as part of my Open Degree a few years back. I can't tell you anything about the English Literature side of thing, but I thoroughly recommend the CW modules.

A215 is excellent - it'll really get your mind whirring and creative juices flowing. The course textbook, the Big Red Book, is an outstanding how-to-do-it guide and you'll be amazed at the sheer variety of material you'll find yourself both reading and writing.

However, to some extent you will find yourself drawing upon and using your pre-existing life skills and knowledge, so even though you say you don't want to do anything nursing related you may well find yourself writing material set on a hospital ward, or drawing upon your nursing training and experiences, purely because you'll be able to write convincingly and authoritatively about that.

A363 builds upon and expands upon the basic techniques you learn on A215, but you're expected to do a lot more independent study and research, and the course textbook really isn't as engaging. It's still a worthwhile experience, but will definitely take you outside of your previous comfort zone as it explores the techniques of writing for a much wider range of media and audiences.

[Jedimastermama]

Thank you FoulMouthedMotherFigure your feedback has been very helpful to me.

[Kittykat93]

Sorry no advice to give but I am also considering starting this course in Feb!!

Problem is, although I love reading, I'm not brilliant at creative writing

So still having a think whether it's the right decision.

[FoulMouthedMotherFigure]

Kittykay93 - give it a go! You may think you're not brilliant at creative writing right now, but you'll be amazed at how rapidly you'll grow into it.

Have you tried any of the free bitesized creative writing courses the OU offers through OpenLearn? This is part of the first one I ever did, to ease myself back into CW before I started A215:

www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/creative-writing/start-writing-fiction/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab

[Kittykat93]

@FoulMouthedMotherFigure

Ooh no I haven't but will have a look, thank you!!

[TimIsHavingABadDay]

I did the two creative writing modules and I really enjoyed the learning system with the OU. I went on to do an MA with a local uni and I much prefer the OU tbh. So flexible and easy to fit in around your life.

I can't really add much to what the other person said about the modules but I would strongly suggest joining a local writing group and attending some workshops. feedback from other writers is vital to development and can often help to steer you out of your comfort zone and take your writing up a notch. There is also writing magazine, a monthly mag that gives lots of tips and advice, competitions and opportunities etc.

Also the most important thing I learned was to network. Twitter is great, loads of online literary journals such as The Cabinet of Heed, jelly fish review, riggwelter press, flashback fiction .... Its all well and good being a writer but you also want your work to be read and submitting to journals is a good start.

[CornflakeMum]

There are other options like Oxford University Continuing Education department which offer online short courses in Creative Writing for credit (which can likely be 'cashed in' if you decide to do the OU degree at a later stage)
//www.conted.ox.ac.uk