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.”
Launch your Creative Writing odyssey now
The Creative Writing Course is designed to provide you with the skills, tools and inspiration every writer needs to tell their own story.
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It’s ideal for aspiring writers eager to start on their journey, and established writers looking to refresh and hone their skills.
Whichever version you choose, 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.
For the monthly Creative Writing Course
- We send you a new module every month for ten months
- Each module includes a just for you exercises and a feedback assignment
- We’ll give you constructive written feedback on 10 assignments
- It’ll take you two to four hours a month
- You’ll keep our extensive notes forever
- Enjoy live interaction with your facilitators at ten monthly Writers’ Circle sessions
For the weekly Creative Writing Course
- We send you a module a week for ten weeks on Mondays
- Each module include a just for you exercise and a feedback assignment
- We’ll give you constructive feedback on each of the ten assignments
- It’ll take you two to four hours a week
- You’ll keep our extensive notes forever
- Enjoy live interaction with your facilitators at three monthly Writers’ Circle sessions
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.
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 30-day refund period for our weekly course and a 60-day refund period for our monthly course. To be eligible for a refund, you must complete the first two modules of the course by attending the Writers’ Circle sessions and submitting all assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss one of the Writers' Circle sessions?
If you give us advance warning, we’ll record the session and send you the link to watch at your leisure.
How long do I have to complete the course?
We know that life tales unexpected turns so we allow you a year to complete the course.
What's the difference between the monthly and weekly courses?
The course content is identical. The only difference is the duration and the number of Writers’ Circle sessions included.
Whichever version you choose, this is our flagship course, designed to teach all the skills you need to write a book – fiction or non-fiction – and to get you writing confidently in scenes.
Banish banality and let your creative self out
Stories are life-changing – often for the reader, always for the writer.
All About Writing’s Creative Writing Course prepares you for the writing journey.
Over ten modules with extensive feedback at every stage, it trains your eye and hones your craft. (And in the process saves your soul.)
Start today on a journey that’ll last a lifetime.
