Sneak Peek
Self Paced 20-hour course to learn the basics of creative writing.
Do you have a myriad of imaginative ideas and long to be a creative writer? Are you an aspiring beginner wanting to perfect your creative writing? Study this course to learn the essentials of creative writing and get the most out of your ideas.
In addition to writing fiction, you can write creative non-fiction. Did you know that that there is an emerging industry in creative non-fiction writing? A new genre of writing known as creative non-fiction has emerged in which the goal is to write a factual account which reads like fiction, but which utilises literary techniques. To achieve success in creative writing you need to write, write, write… obsessively!
But there are certain basics you need to know first and get you off to the best start.
Our 20 hour courses are self paced and will help you understand a topic in a short amount of time. You can work through the course when you like- test yourself with mini-tests along the way. There are extra case studies or research you can undertake if you would really like to get into the topic. Once you have completed the lessons and self assessment tasks, there is a final exam undertaken online- you can then download your personalised certificate.
COURSE CONTENTS - What do you learn?
LESSON 1 SCOPE AND NATURE OF CREATIVE WRITING
Definitions of creative writing
Plots in creative writing
To be or not to be - creative
Characteristics of a creative writer
Oral storytelling
Types of creative writing
The personality of the creative writer
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 2 METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUE - THE BRICKS & MORTAR OF WRITING
Methodology
Time management
Keeping notebooks
Using formulas
Writing the novel
Writing techniques
How to frame time
Constructing a timeline
Objectivity and subjectivity
Ordered versus disordered messages
Plotting a story
Conflict and obstacles
Point of view
Capturing attention
Developing your characters
The end of your story
Writing creative non-fiction articles
Writing dialogue
Script writing
Writing news scripts
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 3 GENRES
Children’s books
Fantasy writing
Crime fiction
Poetry
Science fiction
Romance and relationship writing
Commercial genres
Creative marketing
Non-fiction writing
Which genre?
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 4 CREATIVE NON-FICTION
Defining creative non-fiction
Literary journalism
Tips to write creative non-fiction
Examples of creative non-fiction
Picking your specialist areas
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 5 CREATIVE WRITING TECHNIQUES
Rhythm of the story (peaks and troughs)
Landmark events
Crisis – Conflict – Resolution
Exaggerating reality
Escapism
Paradox
Metaphors and similes
Imagery
Language
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 6 DEVELOPING YOUR SKILL, BUILDING YOUR CAREER
Choosing a genre or area of specialism
Research
Where do writers get inspiration?
Resources
Writer’s block
Writing & the law
Submitting work for publication
Self-publishing
Print versus electronic publishing
Distributing & selling your work
Grants for writing
Obtaining a contract
Continuity of contracts
Glossary – the meaning of words
Review what you have been learning
Final assessment
How does this course work?
You can enrol at any time.
Once you have paid for the course, you will be able to start straight away.
Study when and where you like. Work through at your own pace.
You can download your study-guide to your smart phone, tablet or laptop to read offline.
There are automated self-assessment tests you can complete at the end
of each lesson. You can attempt these as many times as you wish and
each time, upon completion, you can see your results. You will need
internet access to complete the self assessment tests.
At the end of the course, you are presented with a large assessment
which can be attempted online, anywhere, anytime. If you achieve a 60%
pass in the exam; you immediately receive a downloadable certificate of
completion with your name on it.