Monday, 19 March 2018

A New 'Future Learn' Course
Some of you may remember I took a 'Writing Crime Fiction' course at Cardiff University in the autumn. It was an excellent course run by Dr. Katherine Stansfield. I don't intend switching genres but the knowledge I gained from her over ten weeks has and will prove invaluable when dealing with crimes in my family sagas. Already I feel that Detective Leo Gianopoulis in 'Whispering Olive Trees' is all the more authentic because of me having taken the course. A free 'Future Learn' course on 'Forensic Psychology - Witness Investigation' run by The Open University was recommended back in October and I signed up there and then. It lasts for eight weeks and it is recommended that you spend three hours a week on it. 

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • investigate and understand the psychology of eyewitness testimony
  • develop your own investigative skills
  • explore human cognition and discover the mistakes your own brain can make
  • discuss concepts of criminal investigation
  • explore and consider the relationship between limitations of the human brain and miscarriages of justice
The main thrust of the course will how to try to solve a crime using nothing but eyewitness evidence. Despite advances in forensic science, eyewitness testimony is still a vital part of police investigations. However, research has proved that there are dangers in relying on this testimony and police must be careful when interviewing witnesses. Through videos of real witnesses, the course will explore the psychology of eyewitness testimony. As my novel is set before the advent of DNA, I'm sure finding out more about how the human brain reacts to recalling what has been witnessed will prove useful. 

The course starts today so wish me luck. I'll let you know how I get on. Have you undertaken any courses that complement the genre in which you write? Have you followed any 'Future Learn' courses? 

Thank you for reading. 
You may also follow me on Twitter @JanBayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer Facebook Page. 
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. Carol Lovekin20 March 2018 at 00:28

    Good luck with the course, Jan! It sounds excellent. (And I'm pleased you enjoyed Katherine's course. I've been to a Honno-hosted workshop run by her myself & found it very useful.)
    Another Honno workshop I attended that hugely complimented my writing wasn't anything to do with the genre I write in. It was billed as being aimed at Crime/Thriller writers & run by Lindsay Ashford. No C/T writers turned up! Undeterred, Lindsay went ahead & it turned out to be brilliant,for every one there. She introduced us to the Three-Act Story Structure, a model originally designed for scriptwriters. There are now a great many versions of it, but it's easily adaptable for novel writers. I've continued to use it & have recommended it to numerous people.
    Best of luck & enjoy yourself! xXx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan Baynham20 March 2018 at 10:57

      Thanks, Carol. I started the course yesterday and will see how I get on. :-) I agree that if the course or workshop is good as Lindsay's much of what is presented may be adapted for any genre.

      Delete
  2. Sam Carrington20 March 2018 at 01:07

    Have fun on the course, Jan. I did this one (or similar) a while back - it's really interesting, and I was able to use parts of it to inform my novel - so definitely worth it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan Baynham20 March 2018 at 10:58

      Thanks, Sam. You have certainly put what you did on the course to good use. Looking forward to book 3 very much! :-)

      Delete
  3. Patsy20 March 2018 at 02:28

    Good luck with the course!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sue McDonagh20 March 2018 at 02:51

    it sounds fascinating, Jan. I look forward to hearing all about it when I see you next xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan Baynham20 March 2018 at 10:59

      Thanks, Sue. A meet-up is long overdue. :-)

      Delete
  5. Susanna Bavin21 March 2018 at 01:21

    It sounds like a fascinating course to do, Jan, and, as you say, it will support your novel-writing because your books are set pre-new-techology. Even if you didn't have your writing as a reason to do it, I should think it would be intriguing for anybody. All that people-watching! Plus individual viewpoints, body language, hidden personal agendas etc. I hope you will blog about it and give the rest of us an insight.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jan Baynham21 March 2018 at 04:37

    Thanks, Sue. Yes, I’m hoping to gain a lot from the course. I always thought I would make a good witness but failed at the first hurdle through what I now know was leading questioning! I shall keep you posted! 🙂

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)