NOTE: To be eligible to enrol in a Short Story course, you or your gift recipient must have already completed Unlocking Creativity.
If you are unsure if your gift recipient has undertaken courses with the Writers’ Studio, you can look at purchasing either:
Unlocking Creativity Gift Certificate
Unlocking Creativity + Short Story Gift Pack Bundle
If you are interested in a Gift Certificate for any other course: please contact the office
Short Story Courses
Character Development Short Story Course
Learn how to create compelling characters and take them and the reader on a meaningful journey.
Explore key story dynamics including Ghost, Story Desire, Opposition and Worst Nightmare to develop rich, believable characters - Understand what your character wants, what’s holding them back, and how they change to create an engaging character arc
- Learn how crafted character development creates emotion, tension and meaning in your story
- Create relatable characters that come to life on the page
Learn More about the Character Development Short Story Course
Genre Short Story Course
Understanding specific genres expands your craft and deepens your storytelling ability
Write a separate story in the four key genres — Love, Comedy, Thriller and Fantasy - Develop an appreciation of the underlying story patterns that resonate with readers
- Learn how genre informs structure, tone, stakes, character development and reader expectations
- Discover which genres suit your voice and the stories you want to tell
- Learn how to build genre elements into all your stories.
Learn More about the Genre Short Story Course
Writers’ Gym (Advanced Writing Techniques)
Elevate your writing by learning advanced, practical tools for writing, rewriting and editing:
Strengthen dialogue, character voice and scene construction - Use structure to build tension, drama and emotional impact
- Write, edit and refine an extended short story to experience how the process of writing, re-writing and editing works
- Develop the discipline and process to enable you to consistently improve your work
Learn More about the Writers Gym Short Story Course
Key Benefits of the Short Story Courses
Deepen your understanding of story structure
Working on shorter pieces allows you to focus on what makes a story compelling: character, tension, pacing and resolution.
Experiment and find your voice
Short stories give you the freedom to try different styles, genres and ideas, helping you discover the kind of writer you want to be.
Build momentum and develop a writing habit
With clear deadlines and manageable projects, you develop a consistent writing practice that fits into a busy life.
Gain feedback and support
Receive guidance from experienced tutors, helping you strengthen your work and see how to improve.
Prepare for a larger project
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills, confidence and experience to take on a longer work, like a novel or screenplay.
