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
Available either virtually or online
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.”
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.
Virtual
- We’ll meet on Zoom on Monday and Thursday evenings for five weeks
- We’ll present the module, invite questions and discussions and ask you to write an assignment in 30 minutes
- We’ll discuss your work and give you instant and comprehensive feedback
- We’ll send complete notes for each session which are yours forever.
Online
- We send you a module a week for ten weeks
- Each module includes two exercises, to be completed in your own time
- We’ll give you constructive feedback on every exercise
- It includes three Zoom meetings with Jo-Anne and Richard
- It’ll take you two to four hours a week
- You’ll keep our extensive notes forever
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.
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.
Thirteen years ago, 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 for our online Creative Writing Course and a 10-day refund period for our virtual Creative Writing Course. To be eligible for a refund, you must complete the first three modules of the course, attend all live sessions, as well as submit all exercises and assignments either in the class or online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss one of the virtual sessions, or if there's load shedding?
Should loadshedding or any other reason prevent you from joining the class, we’ll record it and send you the link to watch and listen at your leisure. (Besides the full notes you’ll get the next day as well.)
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.
What's the difference between the virtual and online courses?
The online course means working at your own speed through modules which are released to you over ten weeks – part 1 on Monday and part 2 on Wednesday. Each module contains a smaller exercise and an assignment, and you’ll receive written feedback on both. And as I said, we’re not strict if you fall behind.
The modules contain interesting links and video clips and there are three live webinars during which you can ask questions or clarify points that might have confused you.
The “virtual” version of the course will allow you to learn in real time on Monday and Thursday evenings for five weeks. You’ll have a tutor and a very small class, with whom you can engage and discuss points of interest. You’ll receive full notes the following day that you can keep forever. Every person will receive personal feedback in every class.
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.
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.
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.
Online Creative Writing Course
Virtual Creative Writing Course