Creative Writing Course

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-module Creative Writing Course is designed to provide writers of fiction or creative non-fiction with the skills and tools they need to tell their own stories. All About Writing will help you realise your dreams.

8 October in Plumstead, Cape Town – Fully booked

Next course starts 11 February 2019 in Johannesburg and Cape Town

COST R 7 500

Also payable in three tranches of R 2 500. Please email us if you’d like to take advantage of this option.

“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

All About Writing’s experienced teachers will help you improve your creative writing in a safe and supportive environment.

Personal Attention

Receive immediate 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.

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How does it work?

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.

Course Outline

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

A world-class programme, competitively priced

Upcoming Courses

Plumstead, Cape Town

8 October – 26 November 2018 * Monday evenings 6 to 9pm * ZAR 7200

11 February – 1 April 2019 * Monday evenings * ZAR 7500

Parkview, Johannesburg

11 February – 1 April 2019 * Monday evenings * ZAR 7500

Additional 2019 dates to be announced.

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 3^rd 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

All About Writing was founded in 2007 by two writing professionals, novelist Jo-Anne Richards and scriptwriter Richard Beynon. We are passionate about writing and have 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.

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