Creative Writing Basics- Short Course

Become a Better, More Creative Writer

Many of us harbour a fantasy about being a creative writer, but what do we really mean by that? If we were to divide writing into two broad categories these would usually be fiction and non-fiction. Most people would consider creative writing to fall under the category of fiction, and indeed it usually does. In recent years however, 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. Creative non-fiction might be regarded as a hybrid between fiction and non-fiction.
 

What is covered in this course?

HOW TO WORK THROUGH THIS COURSE

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 for lesson
 
WHOLE COURSE FINAL ASSESSMENT

Course Features:

• Enrol any time of day or night.
• Start studying immediately or later (as you wish).
• Configure your study sessions at any length and frequency you wish.
• Work through at your own pace.
• Automated self assessment tests pop up 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 whole course, you are presented with a major automated examination 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.
• Help desk -email anytime- emails answered every workday admin@acsedu.co.uk

SAMPLE PAGES FROM THE COURSE