Write and Finish a Short Story
Mondays 10am-12 midday via Zoom, starting October 19th, 2026
Have you started several stories but struggled to finish them? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to write a short story but weren’t sure where to begin?
Join me for this six-week online creative writing course with the Irish Writers Centre, designed to help you develop, draft and complete a short story in a supportive and encouraging environment. Through practical teaching, inspiring reading, guided exercises and weekly writing goals, you’ll gain the confidence and momentum to bring your story to life.
Spaces limited, reserve your space through the Irish Writers Centre → BOOK NOW
About the Course
Writing a short story can feel overwhelming when you’re facing a blank page—or when a promising idea loses momentum halfway through.
Throughout this six-week online course, we’ll explore every stage of the short story writing process, from discovering an idea to shaping a satisfying ending. Each session combines discussion, practical writing exercises, optional sharing and close reading of published short stories, helping you strengthen your craft while developing your own unique voice.
Whether you’re writing your first story or returning to a draft that’s been waiting patiently for you, you’ll leave each week with achievable goals and renewed motivation.
Is this course for you?
✓ New writers looking for guidance on writing the short story
✓ Short story writers wanting to grow their craft
✓ Those with unfinished stories they’d like to finish
✓ Writers wanting to strengthen character, structure and voice
✓ Anyone looking for encouragement, accountability and motivation
What you’ll learn
During the course we’ll explore:
- finding ideas worth developing
- creating believable, memorable characters
- discovering your unique writer’s voice
- writing vivid scenes through specific detail
- story structure, pacing and momentum
- effective ways to edit your work
- knowing when a story is finished
- preparing work for submission
Week by Week
Week 1 – Finding Your Story
Discover ideas, explore different approaches to plotting and set realistic writing goals.
Week 2 – Character and Voice
Create compelling characters and develop a confident narrative voice.
Week 3 – Specificity and Detail
Learn how sensory detail, place and precise language bring stories vividly to life.
Week 4 – Structure and Momentum
Shape your story with stronger beginnings, turning points and endings while maintaining the reader’s interest.
Week 5 – Redrafting with Confidence
Discover what to cut, what to deepen and how thoughtful editing strengthens every story.
Week 6 – Finishing Your Story
Learn how to recognise when a story is complete and prepare it for competitions, literary journals or personal satisfaction.
Between Sessions
Between classes you’ll be encouraged to:
- complete manageable weekly writing goals
- read one published short story
- reflect on craft techniques
- continue developing your own work
Sharing your writing is always optional.
What you’ll come away with
By the end of the course you’ll have:
- Greater confidence in your writing.
- Practical techniques you can use in future stories.
- A clearer understanding of character, voice and structure.
- Constructive feedback and encouragement.
- A sustainable writing practice to continue beyond the course.
- A completed short story or a story well on its way to completion, with a clear plan for the next steps.
About Susan Browne
Susan Browne is a writer, teacher and creative facilitator based in County Kerry.
She is the author of Ask Your Angel Guides (Findhorn Press) and has been shortlisted for the Words by Water Kinsale Literary Festival short story competition. Susan is also a reader for the Oxbelly Fiction Writers Programme and has designed and led creative writing workshops for the Irish Writers Centre, Creative Ireland and community organisations throughout Kerry.
Her workshops combine practical writing craft with thoughtful observation, helping writers discover their authentic voice, deepen their connection with place and develop sustainable creative practice.
Alongside her writing, Susan is actively involved in biodiversity and community nature projects, including tree planting, wildlife corridors and Creative Ireland initiatives celebrating the relationship between people and the natural world.
Course Details
Dates: Mondays from 19 October to 30 November 2026
(No class on Monday 26 October)
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Duration: Six weeks
Location: Online
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Cost: €200 (€180 for Irish Writers Centre members)
Workshop Feedback
“Susan created a very relaxed environment. The writing prompts were varied and enjoyable. We wrote outdoors as well as indoors. I enjoyed working with her.”
★★★★★ – Marcella Griffin
“I just love how Susan gets the energy flowing and everybody writes freely.”
★★★★★ – Shirley Copeland
“A fun morning spent writing under the calm and inspiring guidance of Susan. An opportunity to share and listen to the writing of others with no pressure. Great venue too.”
★★★★★ – Cathy Lawlor
“I had a really great time at Susan’s workshop this morning. A well presented event in a calm and friendly environment. Would definitely go along to another.”
★★★★★ – Adrian Scanlon
“Voices from the Hedgerows was a truly inspiring workshop. Susan was a wonderful facilitator who created a safe and supportive space to explore creative writing. Her thoughtful approach, from nature walks to the labyrinth, to sharing work from renowned writers really helped to inspire and deepen our connection with the natural world. I also came away with a renewed appreciation for the role hedgerows play in supporting biodiversity. A beautiful and enriching experience which I highly recommend!”
★★★★★ –Shelly Antoinette