How to Write Like Tolstoy with Ed Edwards

Wed 18 Jun 2025

Written by Ed Edwards

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In the cliché Tolstoy is considered the Greatest Writer Of All Time. But as anyone who reads him soon discovers Tolstoy’s writing is actually very straightforward. And, it turns out, so is his theory about “How To Write”. Tolstoy’s theory is useful and enlightening and something writers can use in their everyday work. In this simple “How To” session Ed will detail how he uses Tolstoy’s ideas in his work and pass on the tip.

Dates: Wednesday 18 June 2025

Time: 7pm – 9:30pm

Running time of workshop: 2.5 hours – delivered online via Zoom. Maximum class sizes are 16. A portion of spaces have been reserved for Share the Drama places.

Thanks to our Share The Drama scheme, we want to make sure those of you who are struggling in the current climate can still take part in our Writers Programme. If you would like to book a Share The Drama place for the Writer’s Programme, please call our box office on 02079787040.

If you have any access requirements, you can let us know by contacting filling out the Google Form linked here or contacting Theatre503 via our Writers’ Programme email, writersprogramme@theatre503.com or by calling 02079787040. You can view what we currently are able to offer on our Accessibility page.

All places on our Writer’s Programme are sold in line with our exchanges and refund policy which you can read on the Box Office page of our website.

Ed Edwards

Ed wrote his first novel while awaiting trial on drugs charges. The novel was published the day he was sentenced to three-and-a half-years in jail so his second novel (published by Fourth Estate) was written inside. Clean and sober ever since, Ed went on to write for Brookside, The Bill and Holby City and write original plays for BBC Radio 4. Ed currently teaches part-time at the University of Greater Manchester and writes for theatre.

Ed’s play The Political History of Smack and Crack was a finalist at the Theatre503 Playwriting competition and appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe and went on to tour nationally. His last play England and Son – written specifically for the comedian and activist Mark Thomas – won multiple awards, including a Fringe First and an Offie then transferred to Adelaide Theatre festival where it also won Best Theatre award. Ed is currently Writer on Attachment at the National Theatre. His new play for Mark Thomas – Ordinary Decent Criminal – is currently in production by Paine’s Plough and Live Theatre and will appear at this year’s Edinburgh Festival and tour nationally thereafter.