Creative Writing Course
Learn the skills you need to write a book in just eight weeks
Starts 5 June 2017 in Cape Town
Sign up for a course that will teach you everything you need to write compelling fiction or creative non-fiction
Have you always wanted to write – a novel, a short story, a memoir – but never got beyond the first few pages?
You might have written the book you’ve always dreamed about, but know there’s something about it that doesn’t feel quite right…
Perhaps you feel daunted, nervous to take the first step, scared of failure?
How will you get past your writer’s block?
What if you just want to exercise your creativity in a safe space?
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO WRITE THAT BOOK YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF?
Encouragement? Insight into the sorts of techniques that turn a humdrum story into an electrifying narrative?
Our 8-week Creative Writing Course will give you all this and much more. The course, run by Jo-Anne Richards in Cape Town and Richard Beynon in Johannesburg, is designed to provide you with the skills and tools every writer needs to tell your own story. Allaboutwriting will help you realise your dreams.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, All About Writing was founded by two writing professionals who are passionate about writing. We’ve devised our courses to help communicate that passion – plus the skills that make it all much more than an academic exercise – to others with a similar calling.
Internationally published novelist, Jo-Anne Richards, has published five books and has a PhD in Creative Writing. Her first novel, The Innocence of Roast Chicken, was originally published by Headline Review in the UK, and has recently been rereleased as one of the prestigious Picador Africa Classics collection.
Scriptwriter, Richard Beynon, has had a long and accomplished career in the film and television industry. He has conceived, shaped and written scores of documentaries, has written over a thousand scripts, and has led numerous storytelling teams in devising story for many of the country’s most popular soaps.
With their combined professional writing experience of over 80 years and decades of teaching experience, you’ll be in very capable hands.
A world-class programme, competitively priced
Course overview:
- The course is run concurrently in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Each of the eight face-to-face sessions tackles a key skill and challenges participants with carefully crafted writing exercises, to which we’ll give immediate feedback.
- We’ll post comprehensive course notes in an online group each week. Participants are encouraged to discuss the modules and to interact between sessions.
- As preparation for the course, you will receive a starter pack, which provides you with the tools to find your own unique voice. It includes techniques to fight self-consciousness and develop the skills of active observation through journaling and free writing.
- Before the course starts you will be given a full resource pack on finding and developing creative ideas.
- Should you miss a session you’ll be able to catch up online. You will receive personal constructive feedback from Richard or Jo-Anne on your assignment.
UPCOMING DATES
Parkview, Johannesburg: 9 October – 27 November, Monday evenings
Newlands, Cape Town: 5 June to 24 July and 9 October – 27 November, Monday evenings
COST
R6950 per person
- Early bird special – R6500 Pay in full ten days before the start of the course (26 May or 29 September) and you receive a R450 discount
- If you would prefer, you may also pay in three tranches. A R2500 deposit to secure your place and two payments of R2225
Each of the modules tackles a key skill and challenges participants with carefully crafted writing exercises and assignments.
The skills focused on are:
- Finding your Voice
- Ideas: where to find and develop them
- Building characters
- Building the narrative
- Writing scenes
- Point of view
- Writing dialogue
- Beginnings, middles and ends
- Creating suspense
- Showing, not telling
Ideal for aspiring and established writers looking to refresh and hone their skills
Essential Skills
Jo-Anne and Richard will help you realise your writing dreams by teaching you the essential writing skills needed to write your book or short story.
Writing Practice
Allaboutwriting’s experienced teachers will help you improve your creative writing in a safe and supportive environment.
Personal Attention
Receive full individual feedback on eight assignments. Interact with a friendly community of fellow writers.
Explore Creativity
Satisfy your hunger for creative expression whether, you have serious writing ambitions or simply want to explore your creativity.
Testimonials
I have been a student of Allaboutwriting since 2012, first on the “Intro” course, then the “Creative Writing Course”, and then I progressed to the “Mentoring Course”. Jo-Anne and Richard have taught me the skills needed to write, and in the process we have built up a relationship that I now cannot do without, as I attempt the 3rd draft of my first book.
Frankie Francis, Windhoek
Do you dream about writing a novel? Or perhaps a screenplay? The story of your life? Do you just need a bit of a push, some practical support, the company of writers? Take a look at what Allaboutwriting has to offer. Richard and Jo-Anne are brilliant at what they do. These guys write, that’s the day job, and have been doing so for years. Whatever you need they can help. I can vouch for it. It just takes the click of a finger to start down the writing road.
Margaret Renn, London
Since I completed the Online Creative Writing course, I have experienced actual growth in my writing. I still refer to the modules when reviewing my writing. Jo-Anne and Richard are absolutely wonderful and delightful. They are patient, considerate and their feedback was always on point. Their feedback was insightful. I would highly recommend this course.
Florence Onyanga, Nairobi
