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Postgraduate study

Student views

Jenna Warren

MA Creative Writing

Teesside helped introduce me to a community of writers, and showed me there’s lots going on for writers in the area

The course was brilliant, and the lecturers were enthusiastic and inspiring.

Jenna Warren


Why did you choose to study creative writing?

I’ve always loved writing, but I became more interested in it while studying for my undergraduate degree in theatre. I knew I wanted to do an MA Creative Writing and my decision coincided with the launch of the MA at Teesside. The course sounded fascinating, and I love the area. I was very impressed with the University when I visited.

Why did you like most about your course?

The course was brilliant, and the lecturers were enthusiastic and inspiring. As well as the core modules, I studied novel writing, playwriting and poetry. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the poetry element – I’d always found it quite difficult to engage with – but I thoroughly enjoyed studying it at Teesside and I ended up choosing it as an option.

‘The best thing about the course was the enthusiasm of the lecturers and the way they encouraged me not only to write, but to broaden my reading. The course introduced me to wonderful books and authors I would not have read otherwise. The class was friendly and we got on well as a group.

What have you done since graduating?

I opened Book Corner in 2014, and I’ve been an independent bookseller ever since, and last year moved to larger premises. I still write, and I’m a member of a local writing group. I’ve been published in a couple of anthologies, and have had two pieces of writing for the theatre staged locally. I’m working on a novel, which is a long process, but I love it.

Did you enjoy your time at Teesside?

Yes. My time at Teesside deepened my interest in reading and writing, and it was my interest in literature which made me want to open the bookshop. I think it’s really helped me as a bookseller because my taste in books is now so broad. It also means I look at bookselling from a writer’s perspective as well as a reader’s, and I’m always very happy when a local author’s book does well. Tesside helped introduce me to a community of writers, and showed me there’s lots going on for writers in the area.

 
 
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