BEFORE THE STORY.
Learn the Craft of Writing Creatively with Award-Winning Author, Huma Qureshi
Before the Story
A six-part study in writing creatively
Writing doesn’t begin at a desk.
It begins earlier — in attention, in feeling, in noticing what stays with you. In the spaces in-between.
Before the Story is a self-paced, six-part study for anyone who wants to write more creatively and with greater confidence, but without pressure, formulas, or rigid rules. It’s about learning how writing really begins: long before the words appear on the page.
This course isn’t about productivity or output. It’s about developing a writing mind — learning how to notice, gather ideas, shape work gently, and sustain a relationship with writing over time.
You can take this study slowly, returning to it whenever you need to. Nothing needs to be shared unless you want it to be.
This course is for you if you:
want to write, but don’t always know where to begin
feel drawn to words, stories, or ideas, but struggle to shape them
want to understand how writers find material and develop it
are interested in memoir, fiction, essays, or personal writing
want a calm, thoughtful approach to creative writing
No previous experience is required.
What’s included
Six thoughtfully written lessons
Gentle writing invitations (always optional)
Reading suggestions to accompany each part
Lifetime access — take the course in your own time
The six parts
Part I — Beginning
On creativity, attention, and why we write at all.
Part II — Making Space
How writing fits into everyday life, and how to ease yourself into writing mode without pressure.
Part III — Noticing
On observation, the writer’s notebook, and learning what to pay attention to.
Part IV — Feeling
How emotion becomes material, how ideas form, and where imagination enters the work.
Part V — Shaping
On structure, restraint, and discovering what a piece of writing is really doing.
Part VI — Continuing
How to sustain a writing practice over time, return after breaks, and stay close to words.
How it works
This is a self-study course. You can move through the parts in order, or dip in as and when you need them. There are no deadlines and no expectation of output.
The course is designed to sit alongside your life, not compete with it.
Price
£149
One-time payment. Lifetime access.
Pair it with Postcards Home
If you’re interested in writing personal stories or memoir, Before the Story pairs naturally with Postcards Home, my six-part study on writing memoir in a playful, thoughtful way. Many people take the two together, though each can be taken on its own.
A final note
This course isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about paying closer attention to what’s already there in your writing — and learning how to shape it, quietly and confidently, into something meaningful. This course is available to start now with immediate access.
Before The Story is available as a self-paced study for £149.
One-time payment. Instant access.
Before the Story is a six-part self-paced study in writing creatively.
Without being formulaic or prescriptive, it offers a way into writing that’s grounded in attention rather than output. You’ll explore how pieces of writing begin to take shape — often before you realise you’ve started.
Rather than teaching a single method, the course helps you understand your own. You’ll be encouraged to notice what draws you in, how you gather material, and how your writing develops over time.
This is not a course about speed, productivity, or performance. It’s about learning how writing actually works, and developing a steadier, quieter confidence in your judgement as a writer.
What you’ll take from this study
Over time, and at your own pace, this study will help you:
understand where writing ideas come from, and how to recognise the ones worth following
develop ways of gathering material that feel natural to you
read more attentively, noticing how other writers work with language and structure
shape pieces of writing with greater clarity and restraint
work more confidently with feeling, without forcing or over-explaining
develop a steadier sense of judgement about your own work
There’s no requirement to produce a finished piece, and no expectation of a daily practice. What matters is learning how writing actually works — so you can return to it again and again, in ways that fit your life.
‘This did far, far more than just instruct me in the art of writing. It caused me to pause; to really delve into why I want to write, and to contemplate what creativity means to me. It’s given me a sense of calm but also courage.’
— Ali
About me
Qureshi creates gripping plotlines and vividly drawn characters and — most importantly — she is a writer with something to say.’
— i newspaper
I’m a published author and writing teacher, with three books to date, including Things We Do Not Tell The People We Love and How We Met: A Memoir of Love and Other Misadventures. I’ve taught writing with organisations such as the Arvon Foundation, Guardian Masterclasses, and CBC Creative.
I design self-paced studies that are non-prescriptive, curious, and grounded in pleasure rather than performance. My teaching is shaped by years of writing and reading closely, and by a belief that writing develops through attention, not pressure.
What my students are saying
‘I find myself carving out more time for myself, to create and to explore my thoughts about the world a little differently. I’m putting words together far more intentionally. I am so glad I invested in this course, which I have no doubt I will return to again and again.’
— Ruth
‘This is much more holistic than simply lessons on writing. Huma’s gentle and thoughtful method helped me reflect on why I write at all and then on how I can make it more enjoyable, both for myself and any potential reader. I’ve benefited in ways I didn’t expect to; I feel calmer and clearer, and more at ease with the idea of being the sort of person who calls themselves a writer.’
— Vanessa
‘Crafted beautifully, the lessons were a pleasure to read and an inspiration to learn from. Huma’s gentle, suggestions for looking at things in new and different ways have opened my eyes to the possibilities that are within me.’
— Christine
Testimonials from previous participants who took Before The Story in a previous form.
Price: £149
One-time payment. Access whenever you need it.
FAQs
How much does Before the Story cost?
£149 as a one-off payment.
Where is the study hosted?
After purchase you’ll receive immediate access to a downloadable pdf.
How much time do I need?
This is a self-paced study, designed to fit alongside your life. You can move through it slowly, return to parts when you need them, and spend as much or as little time as feels right.
There’s no expectation of weekly output or a set schedule.
Are there live classes or group discussions?
No. This study is intentionally designed to be taken privately and independently, allowing you time to reflect and return to the material in your own way.
Will I interact with other writers?
This study doesn’t include a community space. It’s designed for people who prefer to work quietly and independently, without the pressure to share or perform.
How long will I have access?
You’ll have ongoing access to the study, so you can return to it in your own time.
Do you offer personal feedback?
Optional personal feedback is available separately. I offer concise, constructive email feedback on up to 1200 words of work. Full details are available on the feedback page.
Are purchases refundable?
All digital studies and feedback options are non-refundable.