Short Course in Creative Writing Basics

This short online course in creative writing will help you get started with creative writing techniques, tips and tricks you need along the way to get a career going, build you understanding of different genres and literary devices and much more!

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 using literary techniques. Creative non-fiction might be regarded as a hybrid between fiction and non-fiction.

How does it work?

At the end of each lesson, you will be given a short interactive test to undertake, which will provide an indication of how your learning is progressing. Upon completing the very last lesson, you will be offered a more thorough automated test or examination. This final assessment can be undertaken at any time of day or night; and any day of the week; and if you achieve an overall pass (60% or more); you will be able to obtain a “certificate of completion” with your name and completion date on it.

Note: these short courses are self-guided online courses and are not to be confused with our tutor-supported online courses.

Course Outline

There are 6 Lessons in this course:

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

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNIQUE

  • 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

GENRES

  • Children’s books
  • Fantasy writing
  • Crime fiction
  • Poetry
  • Science fiction
  • Romance and relationship writing
  • Commercial genres
  • Creative marketing
  • Non-fiction writing
  • Which genre?

CREATIVE NON-FICTION

  • Defining creative non-fiction
  • Literary journalism
  • Tips to write creative non-fiction
  • Examples of creative non-fiction
  • Picking your specialist areas

CREATIVE WRITING TECHNIQUES

  • Rhythm of the story (peaks and troughs)
  • Landmark events
  • Crisis – Conflict – Resolution
  • Exaggerating reality
  • Escapism
  • Paradox
  • Metaphors and similes
  • Imagery
  • Language

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
Start writing your dream novel.

AUD:

$199.00

This short online course in creative writing will help you get started with creative writing techniques, tips and tricks you need along the way to get a career going, build you understanding of different genres and literary devices and much more! Many of us harbour a fantasy about being a creative writer, but what do […]

Duration 20 hours
Enroll Anytime
Delivery Online
Includes Lessons, Quizzes, Final Test, Certificate

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    Duration 20 hours
    Enroll Anytime
    Delivery Online
    Includes Lessons, Quizzes, Final Test, Certificate