The aim of this self-study course is to provide a comprehensive guide to the skills and techniques of writing fiction successfully, and will enable students to study a variety of styles. The course also examines practical aspects of getting published plus the essential elements of both short stories and novels.
This programme is designed for anyone considering professional authoring for a variety of media including books, short stories, radio and television.
The course is split into the following 9 Lessons:
- Lesson One - Introduction
The following topics are covered: Content, Style, Techniques and Marketing.
- Lesson Two - The Short Story
The following topics are covered: How to study and analyse it, Studying the market, Overseas markets, Writing is a business, How do I find ideas? How do I present my manuscript? and Where do I find facts?
The following topics are covered: Choosing a theme, The basic emotion, First or third person? Get out of the way! Reader identification, Setting and Style.
The following topics are covered: Plotting, Accuracy, The plot scheme, A twist in the tale, Finding a plot, Conflict, tension & Suspense and Balance and pace.
- Lesson Five - The Characters
The following topics are covered: Your chief character, Names, Can people be plots? Characterisation, Motives, Mannerisms, Minor Characters, Hero, Heroine, Villain or Clown and How people operate.
- Lesson Six – Getting Started
The following topics are covered: How to start? The plot thickens, Stuck? Handling Transitions, How to end? Your work plan and Rules are made to be broken.
- Lesson Seven - Title & Dialogue
The following topics are covered: Choosing a title, Writing Dialogue, Grammar, dialect and slang, Types of short story and The serial.
- Lesson Eight – Practical Details
The following topics are covered: Copyright, The laws of defamation, Agents and “Vanity Publishers”, Keeping records, Payment, Income Tax, Expenses, Writing for radio, Writing for television and Presenting a TV drama.
- Lesson Nine – Writing a Novel
The following topics are covered: Structure, Action, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction, Crime & Detective novels, Historical novels, Serious novels and Final points.
Pre-Requirements:
There are no particular entry requirements.
Technical Support:
Once you have enrolled, you will have access to your own personal tutor by mail or email. You will receive full tutor support for a 12 month period.
Qualification:
The course consists of 9 modules with set assignments to complete. The qualification is gained from your coursework and there is no exam to complete. On completion of this course students will be awarded with the ASET Level 3 Diploma in Fiction Writing. This award is at an equivalent to A Level or NVQ Level 3.
