Creative writing course (Level 4 Diploma)

An online creative writing course for individuals and businesses

Practical and engaging assignments | Endorsed certification

• Certification: ABC & Certa Awards Certificate of Achievement.
• Endorsed by: ABC & Certa Awards Quality Licence Scheme.
• Accredited by: ABCC | EADL | IADL.
• UKRLP number: 10008168.
• Available to: UK and international learners.
• Tutor support: Unlimited support from an expert.

Do you have the urge to write, but struggle to know where to start?

Our online creative writing course introduces you to the many different types of fiction and non-fiction writing that you can do for fun, profit… or both!

Whether you are a writing novice, looking to broaden your writing horizons, or just seeking a creative new hobby, this comprehensive creative writing course is the perfect place to find inspiration.

If you would like to take it a step further and make some money from your writing, we show you how to target your work to specific markets and craft query letters and synopses that get you noticed.

This course is designed for:

• Beginners.
• People who want to explore creative writing as a hobby.
• Existing writers who want to develop their skills.
• People who want to start a freelance writing business.
• Anyone who wants to craft short stories.
• People who want to earn money from writing.

You will learn to write creatively for a variety of different media, including:

• Feature articles, biographies and reviews.
• Filler material, readers’ letters and competition entries.
• Scripts for theatre, TV and radio.
• Specialist markets, including religious and children’s publications.

Successful learner, Lesley Mager told us: “It covered even more than I expected – it was excellent. It has made me think about how different publishers want copy to be sent. The way I word things and how to do it correctly.

You will study in our Online Learning Area, which is accessible from a computer or a mobile app. This means the course is flexible, and gives you the chance to tackle practical, real-world creative writing tasks at home, at work or on the go.

You will also benefit from unlimited tutor support every step of the way, including personalised feedback on every assignment.

If you have a passion for writing, then becoming a creative writer is a great way to express your creativity, and earn some money in the process.

COURSE SUBJECTS

Lesson 01: You can be a writer

• How to get started.
• Where, when and what to write.
• Finding your form, including experiments in fiction and non-fiction prose, poetry and drama.
• Who you can write for: how to appeal to varied audiences including children, young adults, and adults.

Lesson 02: The basics

• Writing and publishing terminology.
• Applying a style guide.
• Presenting your work correctly.
• Creative a cover sheet.
• Keeping legally safe notebooks and records.

Lesson 03: What to write about

• Developing your imagination and producing ideas.
• Overcoming writer’s block.
• Finding original angles and follow-ups.
• Reading as a writer.
• Writing as a reader.

Lesson 04: Writing techniques

• The importance of drafting.
• Develop your own style: finding your unique “voice”.
• Achieve brevity, fluency and consistency.
• Writing for a reader.

Lesson 05: How to write fictional prose, including:

• Short stories: different types of short story, and flash-fiction. Scene setting, characterisation, dialogue, narrative point of view.
• Novels: different genres, and traditional and modern forms. Scene setting, characterisation, dialogue, narrative point of view.
• “Genre” fiction: sci-fi, fantasy, crime. Scene setting, characterisation, dialogue.
• “Literary” fiction: history, scene setting, characterisation, dialogue, narrative point of view.

Lesson 06: How to write non-fiction prose, including:

• Fillers for women’s / coffee break magazines.
• Feature articles.
• Readers’ letters.
• News articles.
• Biographies, nostalgia, memoirs.
• Competition entries: writing / poetry competitions.
• Religious and inspirational articles.
• Reviews.
• Blogs.

Lesson 07: Writing poetry and drama

• Identify the key characteristics of free verse, sonnets and haiku.
• Use key poetic terminology including caesura, rhyme and metre.
• Employ key poetic techniques and features such as metaphor, rhyme and metre.
• State the importance of dialogue and stage directions in dramatic scripts.
• Employ stage directions in a script.

Lesson 08: Gathering information and content

• Researching your content.
• Writing previews.
• Producing listings.
• Carrying out interviews.
• Using your own experiences.
• Taking and using photos and videos.

Lesson 09: Preparing work for publication

• Checking / revising your work.
• Proofreading and editing your articles.
• Legal issues, including libel, copyright, plagiarism.

Lesson 10: Selling your work

• Submitting articles for publication.
• Writing an effective query letter and synopsis.
• Securing commissions.
• Negotiating fees and contracts.
• Spotting photojournalism opportunities.
• Selling fiction: contacts, agents.

CERTIFICATION

Our creative writing course has been independently endorsed under the ABC Awards and Certa Awards Quality Licence Scheme. So at the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from ABC Awards and Certa Awards and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the Units the learner has completed as part of the course).

In addition, you will receive the accredited CMP level 4 diploma in Creative writing, which is recognised in the UK and beyond. It proves you are a qualified creative writer.

These certifications will equip you to apply for creative writing jobs, apply your new skills in the workplace or find freelance work.

This course is designed for:

• Beginners.
• People who want to start a freelance business.
• Existing writers who want to develop their skills.
• People who want to make money from their writing.
• People who want to explore creative writing as a hobby.

writer / author / self-publisher / creative writer / nonfiction writer