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This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction.
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course, and I believe it’s an excellent starting point into the world of creative writing. It has spurred me to take writing more seriously, and it’s made me realise that the dream of being a writer isn’t actually so far-fetched as I thought.”
– Peter Karalis, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction.
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course, and I believe it’s an excellent starting point into the world of creative writing. It has spurred me to take writing more seriously, and it’s made me realise that the dream of being a writer isn’t actually so far-fetched as I thought.”
– Peter Karalis, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
This course is ideal for: Writers of all levels who want to learn the secrets to writing compelling fiction.
You will:
Indulge your creativity
Learn the key skills needed to write engaging stories
Receive direct feedback on your own writing
Enjoy access to experts who are active in the industry
Unlock your storytelling potential!
“I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course, and I believe it’s an excellent starting point into the world of creative writing. It has spurred me to take writing more seriously, and it’s made me realise that the dream of being a writer isn’t actually so far-fetched as I thought.”
– Peter Karalis, Creative Writing Stage 1 graduate
| Opens | Duration | With | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course details: | |||||
| Online with tutor Learn from anywhere at your convenience. | Monday 23 May 2022 Start any time during the week |
5 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week |
Angela Slatter | $450 |
Discover how to master memorable characters, filling in their backstories and body language, appearance and other quirks to keep readers captivated. You’ll receive feedback on your characterisation and dialogue.
First person? Third person limited? Omniscient narrator? Explore the various types of points of view with which you can tell a story – they all have their advantages and disadvantages! You'll complete exercises and receive feedback on your narrative voice.
Scenes are the building blocks of stories, so learn the secrets of scene construction and editing – how to write descriptions that allow your readers to feel like they’re there. In this lesson you’ll create and receive feedback on an authentic scene that captures this.
Learn how to apply simple techniques to stop your stories from unravelling and, instead, hold a structure that keeps reader interest high from start to finish. You'll explore the vital points of a narrative and receive feedback on writing in different points of view.
Reveal a map through the wilderness of creative writing, with clear instructions for where to go to succeed in the next part of your writing journey. You'll receive feedback on a scene that incorporates all of the techniques you've mastered.
Enjoy regular support and writing guidance – even after you've completed your five-week course.
By joining Creative Writing Stage 1, you'll be eligible to attend The Write Direction live sessions. These are bonus classes held each month on Zoom, with award-winning author Angela Slatter.
The Write Direction is free to attend and exclusively for Creative Writing Stage 1 students.
“The course was the absolute nuts and bolts approach I was looking for. I loved the logical step-by-step approach to the craft of writing. It sounds strange but although I’d been a voracious reader all my life, I’d never stopped to consider how a book was actually written, or even that it was divided into a series of scenes with a defined structure. It’s obvious now, but at the time I thought I’d discovered radium!”
– Joanna Nell,
now a published author, whose lead character for her debut novel The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village was developed in week 1 of her course…
Joanna has now also published The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home and The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker.
Shankari Chandran
Graduate of Australian Writers' Centre, author of The Barrier
Q: I'm totally new to all this. Is this the right course for me?
A: Absolutely! It's been designed to give you the foundation skills you need to start writing great fiction – no previous experience required.
Q: I did creative writing a long time ago, but feel pretty rusty. Should I do this course?
A: Yes, we have a lot of people who complete Creative Writing Stage 1 to refresh their skills (and learn plenty of new things). It will provide you with the solid foundations for fiction writing – perfect preparation if you continue on with later courses.
Q: Do I need to have a story or book idea before I start?
A: Not at all. This course is about the fundamentals of fiction, common to all good stories. You'll learn the techniques that go into good storytelling and write small scenes each week to cement your skills.
Q: How many others will be in the class – and are they all experienced writers?
A: The online classroom is a supportive learning environment and we purposefully keep classes small to make everyone more comfortable (no more than approx 20 per class). Everyone is there to learn and no experience is necessary, so you don't need to worry about being out of your depth.
Q: How does the online tutored class work exactly?
A: Each Monday, a new course module will be made available. You can choose any time that week to go through it – there is no set class time. Through the online learning hub, you can chat to classmates and your online tutor and get feedback on your weekly assignments (due each Sunday night).
Q: I'm a busy parent and work full-time. Can I fit this in?
A: Most of our students are busy people just like you. This course is flexible so that all you need to find is a few extra hours in the week, not necessarily all at once. You've totally got this!
Q: This is Stage 1… So what is Stage 2?
A: Depending on your writing goals, we offer Writing Workout where you can complete exercises to strengthen your core skills over six fortnightly sessions. Or, if you're ready to dive into your own book, our eight-week Novel Writing Essentials course is ideal. Note that with both courses we recommend you've completed Creative Writing Stage 1 first.
Q: Which one is the creative side of the brain again? I'm always getting it wrong.
A: The right side is where the creative magic happens (but hey, the left is important too).
| KNOWLEDGE: | of all the important elements that work together to create engaging fiction. |
| CONFIDENCE: | in your writing abilities and as a creative human being. Knowledge is powerful stuff! |
| INSPIRATION: | from your online tutor, other classmates and the fabulous creative community. You’ll be buzzing with new ideas, techniques and insight into creating compelling fiction – that you can immediately apply to your own writing. |
| MOTIVATION: | to pursue further writing goals such as short stories or to write the next great novel. You’ll also have the momentum to succeed, thanks to plenty of online resources and 12 months' access to all online course materials. |
“It's an extremely practical writing course, excellent understandable content and so much fun. I've remembered how much enjoyment I get from writing.”
– Lisa Crane
“I enjoyed the connection with others doing the course and the fact we had a shared goal in mind. I now look at the world in a different way and look forward to writing every day. A great way of developing your writing skills on your own terms.”
– Penny Flannery
“It's a great opportunity to explore writing creatively in an unpressured environment. You have weekly assignments which you get feedback on, which is wonderful, and the tutors are really good! I recommend the course to anyone thinking about dabbling in creative writing.”
– Stephanie Lye
“I think your course is brilliant and it has opened up an opportunity I would like to pursue. I have never really written anything in my life and I have always wanted to do this. It has only taken me about 20 years to work up the courage to have a go. So thanks.”
– Peter Downs
| Opens | Duration | With | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course details: | |||||
| Online with tutor Learn from anywhere at your convenience. | Monday 23 May 2022 Start any time during the week |
5 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week |
Angela Slatter | $450 |
