1. Welcome
Before you start
Getting the most out of
your course
How to do the assignments
Sending assignments by email
Any
problems?
2. Getting started
A voice all of
your own
Developing a practice
Everyday inspiration
The main
character
Come to your senses
What's it all about?
Seeking support
The
writer's way
3. Writing a short story - Part 1
Why
writers should be readers
Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"
What
makes a story 'short'
Finding inspiration for a story
Creative juices
Getting
ready to write
Writing atmosphere
Time management
4.
Writing a short story - Part 2
Plot
Characters
Theme
Description
Curing
Writer's Block
Finding a market
5. Your first steps to
getting published- Part 1
What is freelancing?
Do you have
what it takes to freelance?
Ways freelance writers make money
Where
to find writing projects
How to bid on projects
Resume requirements
Writing
markets
Finding the right agent
6. Writing your novel - Part
1
What is a 'Novel'?
Discovering your story
Plot
structure: Developing your story
Narrative choices: Exploring the art
of description
7. Writing your novel - Part 2
Character
development
Point of view
The art of dialogue
Finding,
expressing, and resolving conflict within the novel structure
Editorial
discernment: Tricks of the trade
Drafting and revising your novel
8.
Improving your style
Finding your writing voice
Creative
writing ideas and inspirations
Develop your creativity
The WOW
factor in writing
Writing practice
9. Writing for children
Finding
your voice
Fiction and non-fiction
Picture books
Is rhyming for
you?
Dealing with controversial and tricky themes
5 tips for writing
children's books
The agent process
10. Finding a publisher
The
major publishers
University/small press publishers
Self publishing
pros and cons
E-books
Increase your chances of finding a publisher
by being visible
How to write a query letter
11. Write
memoirs - your own or someone else's
What is the purpose of
writing an autobiography or family memoir?
Gathering facts and research
needed to begin writing
How to make the facts interesting to the reader
10
ways to add impact to the life story
Problems in writing an
autobiography or family memoir - scandals, rumours, objections of other
family members
Weaving past and present together to relate the past
events to present circumstances
Fill holes while maintaining the true
spirit of the story
Editing and polishing the story
Publishing
options for the life story
12. Publishing your own work
Is
self-publishing right for you?
Print-on-Demand vs. Print Orders
Marketing
your self-published book
Self-published non-fiction - Position yourself
as an expert
Self-published fiction - Build a fan base
Getting your
book in the store
Getting articles and reviews
Secrets of the best
self-published authors
13. Your first steps to getting
published - Part 2
Time management
Projecting a
professional image
Creating a home office
Contact basics
14.
Write a successful screenplay
What's the story
From concept
to script
Building your characters
Three act dramatic structures
Character
arc and premise
Plot points, climax, and resolution
Build it visually
A
scene outline
Formatting
Avoiding pitfalls
15.
Writing articles for newspapers and magazines
Style
Finding
topics
The feature
The editorial
The news story
Interview
process
Web vs. Print (media styles)
Editing your article
Finding
a market
Knowing your rights
Selling tips
16. Become a
non-fiction author
What is non-fiction?
Refining your
subject
Developing your subject
The fact filter: What to include
Finding
a form
Getting at truth
Narrative voice
Anonymity vs. Authenticity
Editing
your work
Revising your work of non-fiction
17. How to
write better poetry
Elements of Poetry
Minding the details:
You can't see it, unless you see it.
The Free-write
Paring
Down, burning away
Revise, Revise, Revise
Grounding a poem in the
senses
Poems as monologues
Poetry of address
Creating poems in
sequence
18. Writing romantic fiction
Elements to
consider and writing tips
How plot, characters, dialogue and
description come together
Getting a deal and things to consider before
accepting a contract
Why writing the book is 10% of the work - tips on
publicity 19. Doing research for your writing
Knowing
your subject
Research on the net
Research in libraries
Research
by interview
Research - your own books and resources
Researching
faster
Fee-based sources of research
20. Your first steps to
getting published - Part 3
The going rate
Calculating
overheads
Your personalized hourly rate
There are 35 written
exercises and 12 tutor-marked assignments. You decide which 12 of the
available 19 assignments to choose. That way, you get to select which type
of creative writing you want to pursue.
For example, you may want
to study writing for children, or non-fiction. Or you may prefer poetry
and novel writing. But your pack contains all the modules, all the
exercises and all the assignments - so you don't miss out whichever 12
assignments you choose to do.
And don't worry if you're unsure what to
do - it will all become clear when you get your pack. And you don't have
to make your choices until you start doing the assignments. Plus you'll
find your tutor is completely flexible.
