How to write like an author
(and save your soul)
In just ten modules, master the secrets of creative writing, boost your confidence and write the story you’ve always wanted to
Sam had a successful career in the corporate world. At 43, though, she regretted losing touch with what she once thought of as her essential creative self. She took our Creative Writing Course and rediscovered the joys of writing. Now, just eight months on, she’s deep into the novel she always dreamt of writing.
“I know it sounds unbelievable,” she says, “but doing that course really did change my life.”
What is the Creative Writing Course?
The Creative Writing Course is designed to provide you with the skills, tools and inspiration every writer needs to tell their own story.
It’s ideal for aspiring writers eager to start on their journey, and established writers looking to refresh and hone their skills.
The course is designed to teach all the skills you need to write a book – fiction or non-fiction – and to get you writing confidently in scenes.
How does the course work?
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The course is run through our online course platform and community hub.
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We’ll release a fresh module every Monday for ten weeks
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Each module includes two exercises, to be completed in your own time
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Jo-Anne or Richard will give you personal constructive feedback on every exercise
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The course will take you two to four hours a week
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Jo-Anne or Richard will host a live Zoom session every second week. If you can’t attend you will be welcome to send in questions in advance, and then you can access the recording at your leisure
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You’ll walk away with our writer’s manual, jam packed with extensive notes, to refer to on all your future writing projects.
Here’s the course outline:
MODULE 1: Finding your voice
You’ll learn what to do to shed self-consciousness and find your own distinctive writing voice.
MODULE 2: Ideas
Turn finding ideas from random accident into disciplined practice.
MODULE 3: Characters
Find out how to build believable and compelling characters that readers will identify and empathise with.
MODULE 4: Story
Devising a riveting story is one of the most difficult challenges writers face. We give you the scaffolding that’ll help you meet the challenge.
MODULE 5: Writing in scenes
You will learn how to craft scenes that take the story forward and illuminate character.
MODULE 6: Point of view
It’s the rock on which many a story founders. Choosing the most appropriate point of view for your story is the key decision that many writers overlook.
MODULE 7: Dialogue
There’s nothing as bad as bad dialogue. We’ll show you how to write dialogue that leaps off the page.
MODULE 8: Beginnings and Middles
Beginnings are crucial – but it’s in the middle that many stories buckle and sag. We’ll teach you techniques to keep your story taut and compelling.
MODULE 9: Suspense
Suspense is what drives readers to turn the page. In this module we’ll show how to create it.
MODULE 10: Showing not telling
Tell your story, and readers will flag; show them your story, and they’ll feel involved. In this module, we’ll show you how to write immersively.
Testimonials
The All About Writing course taught me more about the elements of creative writing (plot, structure, dialogue, characterisation, story) than nine years at university and my other writing courses combined.
– Keryn Clark, Gold Coast Australia
Working with Jo-Anne and Richard has been an inspiration. Critical input, insight, humour and encouragement are all part of the magic.
Linda Price, Stow-on-the-Wold
Discovering the course has been one of the most satisfying landmarks in my life and certainly in my writing journey… [They] offer I believe an unequalled forum for prospective writers of all skill levels. I am hooked.
– Clive Goodchild-Brown
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.
Story consultant and 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 twelve hundred scripts, and has led numerous storytelling teams in devising story for soaps and drama series.
In 2007, Richard and Jo-Anne established All About Writing and have since then advised hundreds of writers on their work. They’ve helped brainstorm stories for both novice and established writers. And they’ve helped reshape and restructure stories at all stages of development. They’ve mentored scores of writers through the writing process – and have won the trust of publishers who frequently call on them for help with both manuscripts and writers.
Money back guarantee
We’ve seen our students get results time and time again so we’re proud to stand behind our courses. But your satisfaction is important to us, which is why we offer a 21-day refund period (or the option to transfer to a course that suits you better). To be eligible for a refund, you must complete the first two modules of the course, attend the live sessions, and submit the exercises for modules one and two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I can't attend the live sessions?
Should anything prevent you from joining the live sessions, we’ll send you the link to watch and listen at your leisure. You are also welcome to submit questions in advance for discussion.
How long do I have to complete the online course?
We know that life tales unexpected turns so we allow you a year to complete the course.
