Module 1. Creative Writing for Pleasure and Profit
Topic 1: Determine your writing goals
Topic 2: Understand the different outlets for publishing your work
Topic 3: Begin to build a writer’s library of reference books
Topic 4: Identify the kind of writer you are
Topic 5: Develop and record ideas for writing topics
Topic 6: Apply different methods to get you started with your writing
Topic 7: Understand basic grammar

Module 2. Structure in Your Writing
Topic 1: Understand the difference between fiction and non-fiction
Topic 2: Define the major genres in writing
Topic 3: Draw inspiration from your own life experiences
Topic 4: Understand the importance of structure in writing
Topic 5: Reflect on the words of famous writers

Module 3. Finding Your Point of View
Topic 1: Understand how different points of view affect your writing
Topic 2: Understand the importance of staying with one point of view
Topic 3: Use the various different points of view; for example third person, first person, second person
Topic 4: Understand and use different tenses in your writing

Module 4. Plot, Character and Dialogue
Topic 1: Understand the difference between a story that is plot driven and a story that is character driven
Topic 2: Develop a character either based on someone you know or an imaginary character
Topic 3: Develop a character profile and understand how to avoid stereotypes
Topic 4: Use dialogue to reveal character and make the story and characters to life
Topic 5: Use dialogue to dramatise an incident and move the story forward
Topic 6: Explain how to use dialects and unusual speech patterns without interrupting the flow of the story
Topic 7: Make dialogue different for each character and handle more than two people talking at the same time
Topic 8: Set out dialogue on the page so it’s clear who is speaking

Module 5. Plotting a Novel
Topic 1: Understand what a plot is and how to plot your novel
Topic 2: Use conflict, both internal and external, in your plot
Topic 3: Explain the difference between plots and sub-plots and know when to use which one
Topic 4: Understand linking moments and how to use them
Topic 5: Use cards to chart your plot so you don’t lose track of who’s doing what

Module 6. Atmosphere, Mood and Style
Topic 1: Explain the importance of setting in your writing
Topic 2: Understand how to ensure authenticity of time and place
Topic 3: Understand how to break up description with action
Topic 4: Avoid the overuse of clichés, adjectives and adverbs
Topic 5: Understand voice and the importance of using your own voice
Topic 6: Explain how tone can change the feeling and message that you are conveying
Topic 7: Understand how to deal with emotions so that they seem real to the reader
Topic 8: Pace your writing

Module 7. Writing Life Stories
Topic 1: Explain the difference between autobiography, memoirs and biography
Topic 2: Understand the basic approaches to writing autobiography, biography and memoirs
Topic 3: Discuss how to choose a subject
Topic 4: Understand how to establish market interest
Topic 5: Explain the importance of research and where to research
Topic 6: State how to turn real life into fiction

Module 8. Writing Poetry
Topic 1: Understand how writing poetry benefits a fiction writer
Topic 2: Explain the various types of poems
Topic 3: Understand the technical language of poetry
Topic 4: Write a poem

Module 9. Popular Genres
Topic 1: Explain the difference between bestsellers and category titles
Topic 2: Understand aspects of different genres
Topic 3: Understand the importance of plot and structure within each genre

Module 10. Screenplays, Stage Plays and Television
Topic 1: Explain the differences between writing for television and stage
Topic 2: Understand how to lay out a script, screenplay and stage play
Topic 3: Explain the different types of television programmes
Topic 4: Understand how to adapt your novel into a screenplay

Module 11. Writing and Editing Techniques
Topic 1: Research ways of earning a living as a creative writer
Topic 2: Understand the benefits of e-publishing
Topic 3: Structurally edit and copyedit your work
Topic 4: Use various techniques to improve your writing
Topic 5: Understand what professional assessors and editors do

Module 12. The Business of Getting Published
Topic 1: Write a synopsis and a query letter
Topic 2: Set up a tracking system for your work
Topic 3: Assess whether or not you need an agent
Topic 4: Understand the process of publishing and how to choose the right publisher for your work
Topic 5: Explain what multiple submissions are and the pros and cons of making them