Advanced
Creative Writing
Advanced
Creative Writing
A fast, effective way to gain the skills required to write any form of fiction – from novels to short stories
A rigorous course for both beginners and seasoned writers
Now that you’ve completed the Basics of Creative Writing Course, it’s time to learn more sophisticated techniques for even better storytelling.
This course teaches you how to:
- use dialogue, action and description to create strong characters
- drive your story forward and keep your reader hooked
- build mood, atmosphere and tension
- write impactful scenes
If you’d like to get more practice writing scenes before you tackle a short story or novel, this is the course for you.
This Course Gives You...
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
Learn More About
Creative Writing Techniques
Fine-tune your fiction writing project
Our Advanced Creative Writing Course takes the tools you acquired in the Basics of Creative Writing Course and teaches you how to use them in more sophisticated ways to achieve mature, polished writing.
The course consists of five modules and takes between three and six months to complete.
**Please note that this course is only open to graduates of our Basics of Creative Writing Course who attained a minimum average of 75%.
Learn More About Creative Writing Techniques
Fine-tune your
fiction writing project
Our Advanced Creative Writing Course takes the tools you acquired in the Basics of Creative Writing Course and teaches you how to use them in more sophisticated ways to achieve mature, polished writing.
The course consists of five modules and takes between three and six months to complete.
**Please note that this course is only open to graduates of our Basics of Creative Writing Course who attained a minimum average of 75%.
‘My experience on the course was excellent. My writing confidence has increased and, more importantly, my writing skills have improved. My experience with The Writers College has been 100% positive.’
Deborah Forbes, Advanced Creative Writing Course
Course Overview
COURSE FEE
NZ$ 995
£ 495
ZAR 7995
Price includes VAT/GST
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
20
The assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
5
These modules include around 200 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
6
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of six months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Must have successfully completed the Basics of Creative Writing Course.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Our Graduate Students' Successes
We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.
Tutor for this Course
Helen Brain
I’ve been writing for 25 years, and teaching creative writing for 11. I’ve seen over a thousand students graduate from my courses, and have an exceptionally high completion rate.
I’m very interested in the craft of writing and believe that this is something that can be learned and practised so that the story that appears on the page correlates more closely with the story in your head.
I love teaching one-on-one, and supporting my students as they stretch themselves creatively and technically.
Achievements:
- Over 60 books published for children, young adults, 1997 – 2019
- Here be Lions, a memoir, published 2006
- Fiery Spiral trilogy acquired by US publisher Catalyst Press 2018
- Ibby South Africa Honours list multiple years
- ATKV Award for her teen novel Tamara
- Three of her books have been selected for the SACBF (South African Children’s Book Forum) Honours List
Course Curriculum
Module 1
- Introduction
- What is dialogue?
- Writing good dialogue
- Five writing assignments
Module 2
- Bringing characters to life through dialogue
- Revealing important information about characters through dialogue
- Using dialogue to move the plot forward
- Using dialogue to build suspense
- Four writing assignments
Module 3
- Building character through dialogue
- Building character through action
- Building character through description
- Introducing your character immediately
- Demonstrating character through the eyes of other characters
- Using metaphor to reveal a character’s life path and worldview
- Interactions with other characters; power relations (who is dominant/submissive?)
- Seven writing assignments
Module 4
- Backstories
- Exploring your own emotions
- Six writing assignments
Module 5
- Some rules about setting
- Ways to use setting
- Four writing assignments
What Our Students Say
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Advanced Creative Writing Course
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at info@thewriterscollege.com
Questions?
We've Got Answers
The course consists of five modules. For each module, you will email an assignment with a specific word count to your tutor for assessment. Once you have received feedback, the module will be considered complete.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have completed all writing tasks.
- A minimum average of 50% must be achieved.
- The course must be completed within six months of registration.
- Students must be graduates of the Basics of Creative Writing Course.
- Students must have achieved at least 75% on the foundation course.
- Applicants who haven’t previously studied with The Writers College, but who can provide evidence of prior learning, or publication, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
Everyone writes at a different pace. After studying the modules, the exercises should take between two and four hours to complete.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).