Writing Fiction

Learn to Write Fiction: Learn how to write engaging characters, settings, plots and how to structure a story. If fiction is your forté, this is the course for you. Romance, Adventure, Drama, Sci Fi and more.

Course Code: BWR105
Fee Code: S2
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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    If fiction is your forté this is the course for you!

    Learn How to Write Fiction: produce engaging characters, settings, plots and learn how to structure a story. 

    What is Fiction Writing?

    Fiction is writing that includes imaginary characters, events and/or settings created by the writer. All of the components of a fictitious story do not necessarily need to be fictitious though:

    • Imaginary characters might be set in a real world setting such as a well known city or a particular country.
    • Characters might be fictitious, but set in a “real” event. For example, you might write about the experiences of a fictitious character during World War II.
    • Real characters may be used for a fictitious story that embraces an imaginary event or setting (eg. a story about William Shakespeare traveling through time, or something more realistic, like a summers holiday at a fictitious beach resort, taken by a famous historical figure such as Mozart!)

    Comments from our Writing Fiction students:

    I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. Thank you for making it available"    S. Cooke

    "Having a (tutor available) who is able to critique my work was essential. I needed to know where my strengths and weaknesses lie. An informed and knowledgeable tutor helps a lot".    Wendy

    Lesson Structure

    There are 8 lessons in this course:

    1. Scope and Nature of Fiction
      • Elements
      • Types of Fiction (Category/genre and Mainstream)
      • Characteristics of Category Fiction (strong plot, hero/heroine, motivation. Action, background/setting)
      • Characteristics of Mainstream Fiction (Strong plot, Action or intrigue, hero, heroine, romance, happy ending)
      • Book, play or short story
      • Categories (Fantasy, fairy tale, fable, myth, legend, science fiction, western, drama, romance, comedy, horror, crime, suspense, erotica)
      • Getting an Idea (using a fragment, philosophical approach, develop from a title or opening sentence)
      • Back story
      • Types of writing
      • Theme development
      • Write an Analogy
      • Writing a Balanced Theme
      • Are You Suited to Writing Fiction ; Imagination, Being Informed, Human Behaviour
      • Importance of Focus
    2. Components of a Story
      • Story Components
      • Story Structure
      • Theme
      • Plot
      • Characterisation
      • Settings
      • Developing your own Style
      • Aspects of Style
      • Case Study
    3. Technique
      • Conception (Characters, Settings, Events)
      • Write a Synopsis
      • Developing a Story
      • Examples of Plot Structure
      • Method Writing (Developing characters, changing characters, Appropriateness of characters, Revealing characters through crisis, names, stereotypes, creating dynamic characters)
      • Writing a Draft
      • Editing and Rewriting
    4. Conception and Research
      • Conceiving a Story
      • Parts of Conception
      • Making conception original
      • Types of research (Primary and secondary data)
      • Planning a formal survey
    5. Drama
      • Writing a Dramatic Story
      • Common mistakes
      • Time Shifting
      • Transition between events
      • Dramatic conflict
      • Motivation
      • Dialogue
      • Point of View
      • Representing Characters Speech
    6. Fantasy
      • Science Fiction
      • Methods to develop Sci Fi
      • Fairy Tales
    7. The Short Story
      • Characteristics of Short Stories
      • Length in terms of: the time frame; the number of characters; the number of events; the number of settings
      • Common Problems with Short story Writers
    8. The Novel
      • Guidelines
      • Planning a Novel
      • Making a story Endure (Archetypes, etc)
      • Tips
      • Getting Started
      • Submitting a Manuscript
      • Which Publisher

    Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

    Aims

    • Describe the nature and scope of fiction writing.
    • Determine the components of a fiction story, as the first step in planning a story.
    • Determine a systematic approach to building a fiction story.
    • Develop your capacity to conceive fiction stories.
    • Develop your ability to write dramatic stories.
    • Develop your ability to write fantasy.
    • Develop your ability to write short stories.
    • Develop your ability to plan for success in the writing of a novel.

    What is Fiction Writing?


    Fiction There are traditionally two types of fiction:
    1. CATEGORY     Also referred to as ‘genre’, these stories have a distinct theme and as such are easy to categorise. Examples of category or genre fiction are science fiction, westerns, adventure, historical, romance, erotica, mystery, suspense, fantasy and war stories.
    2. MAINSTREAM     These stories are aimed at the widest possible audience. They typically deal with most aspects of modern life including relationships, careers, and the search for success and fulfillment. Popular mainstream writers include Jeffrey Archer, Jackie Collins, Colleen McCullough and James Michener.

    Who can benefit from this course?

    Writing Fiction is perfect for aspiring writers looking for guidance in getting started, or who want support and encouragement from a tutor.

    Writers seeking helpful and informative critiques or a supportive introduction to workshopping. This course will help writers of all levels build confidence in their abilities, or improve their fundamentals.

    This course is also well-suited to writers wanting a deeper understanding of genre, modes, and writing types, or an introduction to the theoretical underpinnings of creative writing.

    At the end of this course you will:

    • Know the difference between several genres and types of writing
    • Understand key writing concepts such as theme, characterisation, and ideation
    • Understand the common errors and pitfalls in writing, and how to avoid them
    • Understand how to revise and improve your work
    • Understand how to apply good writing practice and theory to create well-written, engaging stories and other creative works
    • Draft a creative piece and develop a plan to move forward with it

     

    Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
    Member of Study Gold Coast Education Network.
    ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
    ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
    Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
    Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

    How can I start this course?

    You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

    Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
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    It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

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    More information is here

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    Course Contributors

    The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

    Rachel Syers

    Rachel has worked as a newspaper journalist for the past 15 years in a range of roles from sub-editor and social columnist to news reporter, covering rounds such as education, health, council, music, television, court, police, Aboriginal and Islander affairs, and agriculture.
    Her current role is Fashion Editor, features writer and features sub-editor with The Gold Coast Bulletin. She has co-authored a successful biography "Roma: From Prison to Paradise" about former prisoner-of-war turned yoga guru, Roma Blair, as well as freelanced as a writer, reviewer and researcher for Australian music and celebrity magazines such as WHO Weekly, Rave, Australasian Post and New Idea.
    Rachel has a B.Journalism.

    Tracey Jones

    Widely published author, Psychologist, Manager and Lecturer. Over 10 years working with ACS and 25 years of industry experience.
    Qualifications include: B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), Dip. SW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies).

    Jacinda Cole

    Former operations manager for highly reputable Landscape firm, The Chelsea Gardener, before starting her own firm. Jacinda has over 20 years of industry experience in Psychology, Landscaping, Publishing, Writing and Education. Jacinda has a B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA.

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