CREATIVE WRITING
The Elements of Storytelling Course
Turbo-charge your creative writing
A rigorous course with step-by-step guidance from an award-winning author
The Elements of Storytelling Course will breathe new life and confidence into your creative writing, expertly led by of one of our multi award-winning tutors.
In 22 writing assignments, structure a gripping story, devise credible characters and give them authentic dialogue, with personal feedback every step of the way.
Gain the tools and confidence to develop your voice and apply your skills to a wide range of creative writing formats.
This Course Gives You...
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Master the Elements of Storytelling and Build Your Creative Confidence
Take your writing to the next level
Over six modules, you’ll study the four tools all creative writers need, master nine writing skills and confidently learn to structure plots, develop characters and place them in authentic settings while maintaining pace and tension.
In 22 writing assignments, master the skills of creating credible characters, plot, dialogue and structure. Experiment with pace and tension as you write your own story.
You’ll receive personal feedback on every assignment, and be able to apply your knowledge to every form of creative writing.
Working at your own pace, in just six months you can reignite your passion for writing and be writing with flow and ease.
'I had a wonderful experience with Alex. Our email exchanges were professional, sprinkled with a generous amount of humour.'
Charles Michaud, Elements of Storytelling graduate student – Canada
Course Overview
Start your course at any time – applications open all year round.
COURSE FEE
Price includes GST
- $ 695.00
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
22
The assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
6
These modules include around 150 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
6
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of six months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Basic writing skills are essential.
Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
No previous tertiary qualification required.
Our Graduate Students' Successes
We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.
Tutors for this Course
Alex Smith
Alex Smith is the award-winning author of five novels.
Algeria’s Way, Drinking from the Dragon’s Well, Four Drunk Beauties and Devilskein & Dearlove were published by Random House (Umuzi), and Agency Blue was published by Tafelberg.
Her work has received widespread acclaim. Drinking from the Dragon’s Well was longlisted for the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award and Devilskein & Dearlove was nominated for the 2015 CILIP Carnegie Medal in the UK. Agency Blue won a Sanlam Youth Literature Award, while Four Drunk Beauties won the Nielsen Booksellers’ Choice Award.
Alex tutors the Novel Writing Course, the Advanced Novel Writing Course, the Advanced Short Story Writing Course and the Grammar Skills Course, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with students of all skill levels.
Andrew Salomon
Andrew Salomon is an award-winning author. He won the PEN Literary Award for African Fiction and the Short.Sharp.Stories Award. His debut novel Tokoloshe Song was shortlisted for the Terry Pratchett First Novel Award. Additionally, his short fiction has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
Andrew is the author of the young adult thrillers The Chrysalis and Wonderbear. His latest novel is the dark fantasy thriller The Equilibrist. He completed an MA at the Institute for Archaeology at University College London. Some of his most memorable experiences have been at rock painting and engraving sites in rock shelters and subterranean caves across the world. These often find their way into his fiction.
Andrew tutors several courses at The Writers College, including the Write a Novel Course, the Advanced Novel Writing Course and the Advanced Short Story Writing Course.
Course Curriculum
Module 1
4 Essential Tools for Creative Writers
- Study the 4 tools
- Complete 8 tasks
- Time to complete module: 3–4 hours of writing
Module 2
9 Writing Skills Every Creative Writer Must Develop
- Study 9 vital writing skills
- Complete 4 tasks
- Time to complete module: 3–4 hours of writing
Module 3
Creating Your Characters
- Consider 3 decisions you need to make for each character
- Complete 5 tasks
- Time to complete module: 3–4 hours of writing
Module 4
Creating a Setting
- Learn about 4 important aspects of setting
- Complete 3 tasks
- Time to complete module: 2–3 hours of writing
Module 5
Inventing Plot
- Discover the 4 elements of plot
- Complete 1 task
- Time to complete module: 1–3 hours of writing
Module 6
7 Steps to Building a Story
- Explore the 7 steps to building a story
- Complete 1 task: Write a story
- Time to complete module: 4 hours of writing
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Elements of Storytelling Course
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
*If the application form doesn’t submit, please contact admin and we’ll assist you.
Questions? We've Got Answers
The course consists of six modules. Detailed course notes covering the content of each module are emailed to students. At the end of each section, students will be required to complete writing exercises. In total, the course includes twenty-two writing assignments, all of which count towards the final result of the student. Once the writing assignment has been completed and emailed to the lecturer, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete. The next module will then be emailed to the student.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course, and you’ll benefit from all future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. Your work will remain completely private unless you get it published. In the journalism courses, your work might be published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not it is published.
Students will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Students must have completed all 22 writing assignments
- The course must have been completed within 6 months of registration
- Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Basic computer skills, as well as email and Internet access are required.
- No previous tertiary qualification is required.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can apply for a course and start as soon as you want to. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we see proof of payment, your course will start.
You could be starting your course today!
After studying the modules, the exercises should take between two and four hours to complete. You will also be required to do around two to four hours of reading per module.
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notice of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we see proof of payment, you will receive the first module. We will also send you your tutor’s email address and your login details. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work you create on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).