Diploma in Fiction Writing

Aim
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.

Student Profile
This programme is designed for anyone considering professional authoring for a variety of media including books, short stories, radio and television.

Study Method
The course is designed for study by distance learning at work or at home.  Students receive course manual, assignments and studyguide plus tutor support.

Qualification
Successful students will receive a Diploma in Fiction Writing.

Assessment
Assessment takes the form of a series of tutor marked assignments.

Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements but students should be self-motivated to follow a programme of home study. Please note that:
1. All assignments must be word-processed; no hand written assignments will be accepted.
2. All assignments should be completed in Microsoft Word format.

Timescale
The programme takes place over a timescale to suit the student.  Once registered, tutor support is available for up to one year or until completion whichever is the soonest.

Location
The programme is home or work-based enabling students to complete the course without having to attend scheduled college teaching sessions.

Tutor Support
Throughout the course, students will receive tutor support by telephone and by post.

COURSE CONTENT
The course is divided up into 8 units, as follows:

Introduction
• Content
• Style
• Techniques
• Marketing

Unit 1 – The Short Story
• 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?
• Where do I find facts?

Unit 2 - The Theme
• Choosing a theme
• The basic emotion
• First or third person?
• Get out of the way!
• Reader identification
• Setting
• Style

Unit 3 – The Plot
• Plotting
• Accuracy
• The plot scheme
• A twist in the tale
• Finding a plot
• Conflict, tension & Suspense
• Balance and pace

Unit 4 – The Characters
• Your chief character
• Names
• Can people be plots?
• Characterisation
• Motives
• Mannerisms
• Minor Characters
• Hero, Heroine, Villain or Clown
• How people operate

Unit 5 – Getting Started
• How to start?
• The plot thickens
• Stuck?
• Handling Transitions
• How to end?
• Your work plan
• Rules are made to be broken

Unit 6 –Title & Dialogue
• Choosing a title
• Writing Dialogue
• Grammar,  dialect and slang
• Types of short story
• The serial

Unit 7 – Practical Details
• Copyright
• The laws of defamation
• Agents and “Vanity Publishers”
• Keeping records
• Payment
• Income Tax
• Expenses
• Writing for radio
• Writing for television
• Presenting a TV drama

Unit 8 – Writing a Novel
• Structure
• Action, Thriller, Mystery
• Science Fiction
• Crime & Detective novels
• Historical novels
• Serious novels
• Final points

Tutor Marked Assignments

Final Assignment