Sneak Peek
Learn to write novels
Self Paced 20-hour course to help you understand more about writing a novel.
This is a course for people with a passion to write a novel, who may or may not already have good, general writing skills; but need to understand the fundamentals of how a novel can be crafted to become a coherent and compelling read.
All novels are stories, but not all stories are novels. Humans have been telling stories since the dawn of time but the advent of the novel (as we know it) came much later in our development and is quite new when compared to the history of story-telling.
Being good at grammar, and capable of communicating clearly in writing, may be important to the craft of writing a novel; but alone these things are far from enough to write a novel that people will want to read.
By studying this course, your awareness will grow, in understanding what is involved in writing a novel. Don’t make decisions about the novel you wish to write until after completing this course. Once you better understand the process and fundamentals, you will be in a better position of determining what you are most capable of writing.
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.
LESSON 1 WHAT IS A NOVEL?
The Origins of Storytelling
Presentation of Novels Today
What Constitutes a Novel?
Genres
Audience and the Novel
What is Creative Writing?
Creative genres
Lesson 1 additional reading
Writing for Children
Review what you have been learning
LESSON 2 STRUCTURE AND STYLE
Narrative or Story Structure
Other Devices Used in Story Writing
Style in Writing
Basic Rules of Style
Improve Your Writing
Collaborative Writing
Lesson 2 additional reading
LESSON 3 DEVELOPING A POINT OF VIEW
Introduction
Do Children like to read about Fantasy?
Lesson 3 additional reading
LESSON 4 DEVELOPING THE MAIN PLOT
The Plot
What is a Plot-Driven Novel?
Developing the Plot
Theme
Timelines
Lesson 4 additional reading
LESSON 5 WRITING A SYNOPSIS
A Matter of Words
Writing a Synopsis
Motivating a child to read
Lesson 5 additional reading
LESSON 6 DEVELOPING SUBPLOTS
Deciding on Subplots
Types of Dramatic Stories
Lesson 6 additional reading
LESSON 7 CHARACTERS: HOW TO DEVELOP CHARACTERS
The Importance of Characters
Character Development
Lesson 7 additional reading
LESSON 8 DIALOGUE AND CHARACTERS
Dialect
Voice
Character Language
Lesson 8 additional reading
LESSON 9 MAINTAINING THE READER’S INTEREST – DEVELOPING PACE
Use of Pace
Creating the Pace
Engaging Readers
Lesson 9 additional reading
LESSON 10 REVISING YOUR NOVEL – THE IMPORTANCE OF EDITING AND REVISION
How to Revise and Edit
Improve your Editing Skills
Lesson 10 additional reading
LESSON 11 DEALING WITH WRITER’S BLOCK/MAINTAINING YOUR CREATIVITY
Writer’s Block
Not Writing a Novel: Tips to Get Started AND Finish that Novel
Avoiding Distractions to Your Writing
Don’t have time to write a novel?
Lesson 11 additional reading
LESSON 12 MANUSCRIPT FORMAT AND LAYOUT
Preparation
The importance of the manuscript to getting published
Bloggers – Do you want to make money on your blog?
Lesson 12 additional reading
LESSON 13 MARKETING YOUR NOVEL
Marketing Options
Marketing Your Book
Marketing Elements
Projecting for the Future
Publishing: Electronic and Paper-based Works
Lesson 13 additional reading
Getting Published
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. If you do not achieve a 60% pass rate, you can contact us to re-sit your exam. ( email- admin@acs.edu.au )
Contact us at anytime if you have any issues with the course. admin@acs.edu.au