Comprehensive Creative Writing Course Synopsis

Transcription

1 Comprehensive Creative Writing Course Synopsis Module 1 Introduction How to approach this course how to make the most of your tutor how to study. The basic equipment required useful software for writers. Module 2 Making a Writer Out Of You Where to write when to write time management: travel time, planning your writing sessions, identify your weaknesses, can you buy time?, use your lunch break undertake a time audit. Thinking and observing like a writer: stream of consciousness, using all five senses, having a questioning mind, reading widely. Finding ideas overcoming writer s block: go for a walk, be a multi-project writer, don t finish the sen..., do something completely different, meet up with other writers. Being organised and keeping records: submission records, financial records, bank accounts. The personal qualities you need: observation, a questioning mind, self-discipline, motivation, perseverance, determination, patience, organisational skills, resilience, confidence coping with rejection: having lots of writing projects on the go, putting it into perspective, rejection is not failure, the many reasons for rejection. Module 3 Readers Letters and Fillers Letters: quick way into print analysing a publication s letters page: length, style, photos types of readers letters: comments on a previous article, critical letters, letters of praise, personal anecdotes, controversial letters letter rewards submission tips resubmitting letters. Fillers identifying filler slots filler examples financial rewards start thinking like a writer: finding new markets. Module 4 Generating Ideas for Articles Where to find ideas: hobbies, employment, holidays and travel, pets and animals, personal experience other idea generators: overheard conversations, anniversaries, other magazine articles, local/national news, chatting to people/interviews. Identifying multiple ideas from one idea: twist the idea to fit the readership, example. Undertaking research research sources: libraries, public record offices, press offices/pr agencies, personal contacts, museums researching on the Internet. Module 5 Market Analysis Looking for freelance opportunities: contact details, identifying the right editor to contact publication guidelines analysing a market s readership: advertisements, articles, letter pages, problem pages, other useful clues analysing a market s articles and styles: word count, style, person, other stylistic issues the consecutive issue exercise analysing a market s competition market analysis checklist. Module 6 How to Present Your Typescript Paragraphing styles: block-v-indented paragraphing layout of your printed typescript: margins, text alignment, fonts, double spacing, sentence spacing headers and footers cover sheets: contact details, title, word count, byline, rights information, example pseudonyms word counts photographs layout of your ed typescript: as an attachment, pasted into the body of the , subject headers. Covering letters and s: example, saes, solicited-v-unsolicited submissions.

2 Module 7 Structuring Your Article for Different Markets Article or feature? topicality production schedules. Section 1: Structing your Article outlining an article, example titles opening paragraphs: the startling fact, dialogue, the topical hook, action, scene setting the main body of the text identifying common article structures: numbers, a-z, time and chronology, the accumulator, questions and answers, quotations and proverbs the closing paragraph: the summary, the question, the quote, go back to the start quotes fact files, box outs, sidebars and further information panels revision example article. Section 2: Understanding Different Magazine Markets women s magazines: true life stories, health articles, general well-being, the celebrity profile men s magazines sports writing trade press: trade fairs, in-house magazines, sponsored magazines religious magazines: people, places, anniversaries children s and teenage magazines: language matters the humour market: exaggeration, repetition, rule of three, humour is subjective, example. Module 8 Essential Legal and Business Aspects Section 1: The Legal Aspects of Writing copyright: retain it!, what it doesn t cover plagiarism: quotes, quotes for review, quoting lyrics trademarks libel libel defences: justification, fair comment, privilege other things to avoid useful organisations. Section 2: The Business Aspects of Writing keep a copy don t double deal selling rights in your text selling overseas book rights electronic rights all rights read the contract Authors Licensing and Collecting Society public lending right. Writing a query pitch pitching by phone waiting for a response unsolicited material commissions and briefs money, invoicing and chasing payment: how much?, when you can expect to be paid, chasing overdue payment should you write for free? Module 9 Travel Writing Everywhere is a visitor destination to somebody capturing the experience avoiding common pitfalls looking for new angles understanding your target audience pre-trip preparation what to do on location photographs photographs for non-photographers creating your travel article: introductions, structuring your piece fact files, sidebars and box outs travel markets: newspaper supplements, non-travel publications, overseas and in-flight magazines organisations for travel writers example. Module 10 Profit from Your Photography How publishers use pictures finding a market for your work analysing your chosen title sourcing photographs: hiring a photographer, finding pictures for free, using picture libraries, online options. Choosing a camera compact cameras bridge cameras digital SLR cameras additional accessories and equipment: lenses, tripods, flash, hardware and software insurance taking care of your equipment. What to shoot human interest newsworthy subjects composition and technique light depth of field point of view foreground and background lines rule of thirds colour rhythm and pattern. Photography and the law: your rights, the rights of people and property. Preparing your submission ing digital files packaging and posting your submission digital files transparencies and prints. Useful names and addresses useful reference books.

3 Module 11 Writing Reviews The reviewer s role and responsibilities live performances books CDs, films, computer games and apps restaurant and food outlets motoring internet review sites the golden rule. Module 12 Journalism The qualities a journalist must possess vital equipment making a break into journalism submitting your copy putting the story together: keep it simple, the six vital questions, tell it straight, explain everything don t waffle story structure: get the intro right, elaboration, less important information what to avoid: facts not opinions, always attribute, avoid hype, don t get out of your depth follow ups interviews tip offs: getting paid. Module 13 Writing for the Internet The difference between web copy and print copy: the journalist s pyramid, short paras, simple sentences, avoid gimmicks, hyperlink hell search engine optimisation: keywords, abbreviations, correct spelling, punctuation and grammar, think sub-headings, new information, use clear links. Finding work online common pitfalls to avoid: payment by clicks, bidding options, free samples, no experience necessary, never pay for work identifying legitimate opportunities ezines blogging: blogging for publicity, setting up a blog, blogging tips social networking: facebook, twitter, linked in, google plus networking for information. Module 14 The Planning and Preparation of Non-fiction Books Section 1: The Non-Fiction Book Market identifying potential book material: using your previously published work, travel and personal experience, biography, employment, hobbies. Finding suitable publishers: obtain a catalogue, check submission guidelines consider a series: why publishers like a series creating a proposal the chapter breakdown and the first chapter drafting your letter to the publisher: find a named person, be brief but specific, sell yourself coping with rejection the contract considering self-publishing: vanity publishing, the cost, proofreading and copy editing, cover design, distribution and marketing. Section 2: Writing Biographies and Autobiographies biographies someone else s life story logical sequence authorised and unauthorised biographies interviews. Autobiographies planning your work writing it selling your autobiography ghost writing. Module 15 Writing the Short Story The difference between fiction and non-fiction finding ideas creating credible characters: the key character, physical description dialogue and how to use it effectively: imparting information, moving the story forward, dialogue and characterisation, inner thoughts correct punctuation of dialogue the difference between plot and theme plotting the short story the story s beginning: shock technique, dialogue, narrative bad and good opening paragraphs the story s body the story s ending be critical style and content researching the market the outlets: literary magazines, small press magazines, women s magazines, the internet types of short story: romance and relationships, twist enders, flash fiction, true life stories, erotica, horror, science fiction, children s stories titles taboos entering competitions writing short stories for radio submitting your work rejections sample short story.

4 Module 16 Genre Fiction What type of novel suits you as a writer? the genres romance historical detective stories thrillers war humour: misadventure, sattire, sci-fi and fantasy, parody children s fiction science fiction fantasy lad lit women s interest and chick lit horror westerns erotica. Module 17 Preparing to Write a Novel Moving on to longer works preparing for the task ahead: mental preparation, technical preparation market research project file good writing habits avoiding the pitfalls understanding novel structure the basic ingredients spicing up your story: conflict, jeopardy, action, tension theme symbols viewpoint: first person, third person background research and how to do it. Module 18 Story Ideas Story ideas is your idea strong enough? plotting made simple: writing to a formula, drawing up a rough storyline flashbacks foreshadowing subplots coincidence the difference between an outline and a synopsis: do you need an outline? sample story outline (cry wolf) developing the storyline into scenes opening chapters: the aim of opening chapters, avoiding information dumps, selling the book to your reader keeping up the pace in the middle section satisfying endings. Module 19 Characterisation and Dialogue Character development in novels credibility bringing the character to life: names, mannerisms, motivations, interview your characters, contrast introducing characters: first appearances, small cast avoiding stereotypes extra thoughts on your protagonist a sympathetic enemy dynamic dialogue functions of dialogue: driving the story forward, excitement, aiding characterisation, pace keeping the dialogue real: bring in emotion, vary the length, break it up with prose direct speech-v-indirect speech dialogue tags slang swearing dialect foreign accents the correct way to punctuate dialogue. Module 20 Setting, Atmosphere and Revision Choosing the right setting for your novel: setting as an aid to plot development and characterization real places made up places mix and match made up worlds menace glamour power workplaces sci-fi era creating atmosphere ambience atmospheric images mood humour perspective using all the senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell the first draft checklist for the second draft working on the structure ruthless editing rewriting again and again finding readers and reviewers critique partners. Module 21 Selling Your Novel Which publishing route is right for you? traditional publishing: pros and cons self-publishing pros and cons the traditional path the six steps of the submission process: making sure your work is ready to submit, finding an agent or publisher, writing a synopsis, writing a query, preparing for rejection, starting your next novel market research agents: what does an agent do?, finding the right agent, approaching an agent, before you sign publishers: approaching them, submitting your work, listen to your inner voice! creating an attention-grabbing synopsis: layout, formatting resubmitting after rejection what happens when a publisher says yes? large publishing houses and independent publishers.

5 Module 22 Self-Publishing The advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing getting an ISBN number print, e-book or both? print on demand print services e-book formatting the value of external editors the importance of a good book cover: title, design, size, spine the back cover blurb getting your print copies into book stores terms and conditions of sale distribution local stores giving books as prizes getting your book into libraries public lending right (PLR) library supply companies the Alliance of Independent Authors. Module 23 Marketing The necessity of marketing yourself your target audience generating local interest finding a news hook press releases and how to write them radio, TV and press interviews writing articles the author s bio social networking: advantages and disadvantages creating an online author presence: facebook, my space, linkedin, forums, twitter viral marketing YouTube clips and podcasts a word of warning! finding book reviewers readers sites specialist writing associations. Module 24 Promoting Yourself and Your Work Online Blogging establishing a platform discovering your voice marketing and networking the mechanics getting search engine listed making your posts count types of posts what do your readers want from you? spreading the word networked blogs the benefits of a website pros and cons of free and paid website hosting the importance of a good biography page additional pages: samples of your work, to promote your interests, to show research conducted opening chapters with sales links links to reviews. Module 25 Writing Radio Drama Learning to estimate running time layout of your script giving directions how to capitalise on your listener s imagination the switch off danger time opening your radio play how many characters? avoiding stereotypes making your characters believable where to begin your story making dialogue work for you preparing the first draft editing your work dramatising a short story avoiding awkward silences submitting your work. Module 26 Writing for Television A growing market cost constraints doing your market research know the medium different types of drama the importance of ideas preparing a synopsis telling the story in pictures and words background and mood exposition suspense conflict dialogue characterisation the character mix structure: beats, scenes and sequences visualising your material layout and length camera tricks and effects deciding what to write about. Series breaking into the genre reading the format the treatment how payment is made. Situation comedy have an original premise character driven plots doing the postcard test making the humour work learning the craft. Module 27 Writing for the Stage How to acquire theatrical knowledge sources of ideas how to select a theme what kind of play? setting your stage deciding on characters the importance of entrances and exits developing your characters the structure of your play how many acts? how many scenes? planning dialogue how to carry the action forward using dialogue to create character introducing drama and conflict the dramatic climax when to end developing your stagecraft directions know your stage working with the actors improving your work doing your market research useful contacts additional reading.