Emerging Writers Lab: Telling Stories that Matter

A six-week evening lab to build bold stories and creative confidence.

WEEKLY: Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm 

DATES:
15, 22, 29 Apr
6, 13, 20 May

Step into a midweek creative space where stories take shape and ideas become real. Over six Wednesday evenings, you’ll investigate your writing of any genre or technique using the powerful framework of the 5 Ws (Who, Where, What, When, Why) and the 5 Cs (Character, Context, Conflict, Climax, Conclusion). Through this structuring, we focus on powerful stories and guide you to make impact with thoughtful planning.

Through conversation, role-play, writing games and bold prompts, you’ll develop characters with depth, build meaningful conflict, and craft satisfying endings. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a draft, you’ll leave with a developed piece of writing each week and the confidence to keep going.

Course Breakdown

Sessions 1 and 2: Character and Context
– Hero, anti-hero, villain and beyond
– Narrative perspective and voice
– Genre exploration and literary styles
– Writing prompts and peer feedback

Session 3: Conflict and Motivation
– Why your character acts the way they do
– Backstory development through creative exercises
– Obstacles, stakes and dramatic tension

Sessions 4 and 5: Climax and Conclusion
– Story arcs and narrative journeys
– Types of endings: happy, tragic, bittersweet, cliffhanger
– Solving the plot and refining structure

Session 6: Showcasing and Next Steps
– Share an excerpt of your work
– Constructive feedback and reflection
– Planning your next creative steps

Who’s this course for?

This Emerging Writers Lab is designed for anyone and everyone from the age of 16+. 

Irrespective of age or background, an ‘emerging writer’ is anyone who’s interested in developing their writing practice, who hasn’t yet published a completed work or feels they have the motivation to continue developing and polishing their craft.

Ideal for:
• Young adults building creative identity
• Working professionals seeking a midweek creative outlet
• Emerging writers across all experience levels
• Anyone looking for a supportive, intergenerational writing community

What You’ll Gain:

• A new piece of writing you’ll feel proud of
• Greater autonomy and clarity in your creative process
• The ability to experiment safely
• Stronger skills in giving and receiving constructive feedback
• Improved self-confidence as a writer
• A vibrant creative cohort and launchpad in South West London

Materials and Requirements

• Please bring a notebook and pen or laptop.
• Selected texts will be provided in class.
• Optional writing tasks may be completed between sessions.

Pricing

• £150 per 6-week term
• £20 drop-in taster session possible at the start of term
• Bring-a-friend referral discount – enquire at [email protected]

Testimonials

• ‘The ‘lab’ is a space that feels truly creative, not academic or like school — I looked forward to Wednesdays’.
• ‘The feedback was always constructive, honest and supportive. I grew so much in six weeks’.
• ‘It felt like joining a creative movement, not just taking a class’.

About the tutor

Héléna Bissada-Bloch is a French-raised, London-based drama and storytelling practitioner specialising in community arts and creative writing. She holds a Master’s in Applied Theatre with Distinction from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Lancaster.

In addition to tutoring with the Landmark Arts Centre, she tutors creative writing with Inkhead and facilitates storytelling workshops with The People Speak!, supporting participants to shape and share their lived experiences.

She loves to work intergenerationally across age groups, she’s inspired by socially engaged theatre, supporting writers to craft purposeful, authentic work that connects personal stories to the wider world.

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