Check out some books by your tutor Fiona Veitch Smith … (click on the book covers to find out more)
Are you a beginner writer? Do you know you want to put pen to paper but not know where to start? This eight-session online creative writing course will give you an introduction to the basic elements of creative writing, from prose fiction to poetry. The course is entirely free and you can work through it at your own pace. The exercises are designed to help you start writing and self-analyse your work. Feedback from a tutor will not be provided. However, you may ask questions along the way if there is something you don’t understand about how the course is put together. Post them in the comments box. If you have any questions about how the course operates before contacting me please check out the FAQ list on the menu above which covers pretty much everything – and that includes how to get started and whether or not it’s really free!
Please note: This is a free course but that does not mean you will receive free critiques of your writing. The critiquing service mentioned in the FAQ is separate to this course. I do not give feedback on the exercises. If you would like me to give my professional opinion on your creative writing beyond this course please contact me for a quote. There is a link to these rates on the FAQ page.
And now, back to the fun (and free!) stuff. The creative writing course will cover:
- Releasing your Creativity
Explore how to tap into your creativity, and whether you are naturally more inclined towards writing poetry or prose. - How to write a short story
A look at how writing a short story differs from writing a novel, and some tips on short story structure. - Writing from a point of view (POV)
How your choice of first, second or third person POV can have a dramatic effect on how readers engage with your story. - Bringing your writing to life
How to activate your writing and transform it into a sensual experience. - Writing characters
Writing complex, believable characters to inhabit your literary world. - Writing dialogue
Your voice as an author, writing dialogue between characters, use of dialect, and some tips on the mechanics of laying out your text. - Poetry: how to write poems
The basics of writing poetry – lyric versus narrative, structured versus free verse, rhythm and meter. - Markets, competitions and opportunities
How to further develop your writing by joining a writer’s group and entering competitions, and some tips on getting published.
I’ll mention helpful books and other useful resources as we go, which you can buy or borrow from your library – how you get hold of them is up to you, but try to get a look at them. If you click on the book cover it will take you to the book on Amazon. A very useful book on creative writing in general is The Creative Writing Coursebook. Please note however, this is not a ‘text book’ for this course – it’s just a book I have personally found useful. You do not need to get this book, or for that matter any book to do the course. But of course, it will help deepen your learning if you do.
Any questions? Then check out the Frequently Asked Questions page. Otherwise…
>> Click here to get started.
Happy writing!
Welcome to The Crafty Writer's free online creative writing course, presented by Fiona Veitch Smith, a freelance journalist, editor, author, playwright, screenwriter and writing teacher. I hope that you'll see a dramatic improvement in the quality of your writing as you work through this course.
Hi Fi,
Sorry I missed last week. Feeling a lot better now. I wrote a short story. Do you want me to send it to you, or just bring it in on Wednesday?
Take Care love
Tammy
xxxx
Your professional critique is badly needed. If you have time, it might interest you to go through some of the fiction stuff I have posted up on my fiction blog at http://siquijoriantales.blogspot.com. Comments coming from a published writer like you is definitely an honor. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Miss
I am beginner writer. i want take participate in this course plz send me relevent study material.
Hello Attia. This is the course. Just work through the material online in your own time. Click on each number 1 – 8 and you will get the next session. If you’ve got any questions or comments just leave them at the bottom of each session like you’ve done here. Good luck with it and happy writing.
I am a teacher from Pakistan and am very grateful to people like you who offer help to people like me who have a thirst for knowledge but cannot physically or financially be part of your learning program.Please tell me how i can be part of your brilliant program
Yours Thankfully
Nazneen
Hello Nazneen, everything you need is already on the site. Just work through the eight sessions (links above) in your own time. If you have any problems, just contact me. I hope you enjoy the course.
i want study the technical writing what are the advanages and how to study the technical writing course, pleasesend the informain as early as possible
Hi Parameswara. I don’t offer a technical writing course, just a creative writing course and a non-fiction writing course. Perhaps by technical you mean non-fiction – ie factual. Which ever one you want to study, just click on the green or blue block on the home-page and it will take you to the course. All you have to do is click on each session listed 1 – 8 and it will take you to the course material. Just work through it at your own pace.
I would like to join the free eight week course in Creative Writing.
I understand that it is an on line course, please correct me if I’m wrong
I’m not an experienced write but I do have an honours degree in Economic History with English to pass degree level.I also have many years ago experience of teaching language and literature.
I started your course yesterday and want to continue from where I stopped which was excercise 3
This is the first time that I have studied on line and I am just getting used to handling the online creative writing course.I have reached excercise 3.
I woulg like to study excercise 3
Hi Jean, I don’t know what else I can tell you other than what I already have. You are already on the right page so you obviously know how to get there. Take your mouse and move your cursor over the list of sessions 1 – 8. Each session is hyperlinked which means that when you click on it it will take you to the next session. When you’ve finished that, go back to this introduction page and click on the next session. If you’re still struggling, perhaps you can find someone who knows a bit more about computers to help you navigate. Good luck.
Thank-you for your help. I have completed excercise 3 and am now ready to proceed to excercise 4
I found excercise 3 stimulating as the encouragement to express myself on someone else’s terms created by my own work made me more disciplined in creative application.I am looking forward to completing excercise 4 when I find it and if it’s available.
Hi Jean, glad you enjoyed session 3. Session 4 is constantly available – the whole course is. Follow the instructions I’ve given you before and you should get to it. Good luck and happy wriing.
When will the next classes take place. If I have not already missed them.
Sincerely,
Tracie Wallace
Hi Tracie. The course is now constantly online. Just click on the first session and get startted. Good luck and happy writing.
please i wish to apply for the free on line course.am interested