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
Available Options: |
Format selected:: |
|
|