Fiction (Novel-Writing) Course
Fiction (Novel-Writing) Course
Have you always wanted to turn your ideas into a novel? Our online fiction writing course will help you get started, taking you from the basics through to submitting your manuscript to publishers. Your course starts with guidance on choosing the subject matter and treatment of a novel that will be saleable in today's marketplace. You are shown how to analyse publishers' requirements and how to structure your novel to meet these requirements. You will also be guided as to themes that should be avoided.
This is a general overview of the topics covered in this course. However, following the first two assignments your tasks are personalised for you by your tutor based on your personal profile and writing ambitions.
Course Contents
- What you'll learn:
- Fiction markets
- Starting with your characters
- Story plotting
- Dialogue
- Structure
- Pace, mood, atmosphere
- Theory in practice
- End of the Story
This is a summary of this writing courses main specifications.
| Suitable for: | ✔ Writers starting out |
| Starting: | Anytime |
| Pace: | At your own pace |
| Location: | Study from home |
| Max duration: | 2 Years |
| Course type: | Tutor led |
| Delivery: | Email or Post |
| Deadlines: | None |
| Exercises: | Personalised for you |
Course Description
Fiction (novel-writing) course
Your course starts with guidance on choosing the subject matter and treatment of a novel that will be saleable in today's marketplace. You are shown how to analyse publishers' requirements and how to structure your novel to meet these requirements. You will also be guided as to themes that should be avoided..
You will study characterisation and plot and be shown how dialogue acts as a driving force in moving your story forward and involving your characters in the action. You will learn to weave subplots into a single structure, how to vary pace and create mood and atmosphere, skills that enable you to write with the page-turning quality that holds your readers' attention.
Two vital parts of the novel are the opening and the ending. One must arouse interest, the other must leave the reader satisfied. You cannot achieve these by accident; you need know-how.
An important part of the course is the analysis of published fiction to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Seeing theory put into practice in this way brings your teaching alive and is an excellent way to learn. These and other aspects of the novelist's business are fully explored and explained.
Course Feedback
⹂
My confidence has been lifted sky high.
From: A Price
⹂
Hi Lynne - just a quick email to say thank you for your feedback. I was so nervous about what you would think and it has given me a such a boost in confidence - no stopping me now! And thank you also for coming back so quickly, especially while you were away. I do appreciate it.
From: Mary-Jane Houlton
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Extremely precise and helpful feedback from Lesley, as always – and a super-quick turnaround time! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly each time. When trying to fit writing in around work and extended family commitments, it really helps.
From: Andrew Preskley
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Thanks very much for the excellent [free welcome gift] book on historic fiction. After reading it I feel like I'm in Aladdin's cave, I'm doing the research Sue suggested and I'm bursting with enthusiasm. I just need to see Sue's comments before I get stuck into pulling it all together. I'm very impressed with the course content and tuition. I've done several courses with other companies, including some that cost more than twice as much as this one, but I learned more in part one of this than in the whole of their course.
From: Linda Adams
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Constructive criticism without the barb. Plenty of encouragement and a friendly approach: 10 out of 10.
From: E Richards
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I have read lots of books on fiction writing. None of them has given me the understanding of writing that I've received from you.
From: B Lyon
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I’m part of the way through my course and I’ve already seen the benefits. I had the first draft of a novel completed when I started the course and I really wish I had taken it before starting the book. My tutor Valerie is very professional and provides great feedback on the writing and valuable insight on publishing considerations. If you want to improve your writing and are serious about being published I recommend this course very highly.
From: Anon
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