Start Writing Fiction

Online Course

Future Learn
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Start Writing Fiction
  1. What is the course about?
  2. Prerequisites & Facts
  3. Cost, Certificate & Degree
  4. Reviews & Experiences

What is the course about?

Start Writing Fiction
The course Start Writing Fiction is an online class provided by The Open University through Future Learn. It may be possible to receive a verified certification or use the course to prepare for a degree.

Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course.

Course description
  • Discover the rituals and approaches that successful fiction writers use
  • 8 weeks
  • On this online course, established writers – including Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts and Monique Roffey – will talk about how they started writing.
  • You’ll consider the rituals of writing and keeping a journal; learn how to develop your ideas; reflect on your own writing and editing; hear writers talk about their approach to research; and start turning events into plot.
  • You’ll also have the opportunity to review the work of fellow writers and receive comments on your own, learning to read as a writer and respond to feedback.
  • Creation of characters in fiction
  • Different sources for characters in stories
  • Ways of presenting characters in stories
  • Reading as a writer
  • Writing practice, including creativity, research, observation and editing
  • Peer reviewing, workshops and the importance of feedback
  • Apply and learn to write fiction and generate stories by creating characters
  • Investigate notions of writing from your experience and from research
  • Explore using a writer’s notebook to develop ideas and increase observational awareness
  • Identify and realise the importance of other authors and works to develop your skills in reading as a writer
  • Develop your awareness of editing, in developing your vocabulary of style and presentation
  • Identify and realise the importance of exchanging work and critical comment with fellow writers
  • This course is intended for those with an interest in starting to write fiction or improving their fiction writing, and does not require any previous experience of studying this subject.
  • Please be aware that participation in this course involves reviewing work posted by other learners. You may find some material used in these stories is of an adult nature (e.g. language, sex, violence) and although captured in context, may offend. Learners on this course are instructed to place warnings at the top of their work to indicate use of such content.
  • Recommended for learners age 16+.
  • The Open University
  • The Open University (OU) is the largest academic institution in the UK and a world leader in flexible distance learning, with a mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas.
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Prerequisites & Facts

Start Writing Fiction

Course Topic

Fitness, Health & Fitness

University, College, Institution

The Open University

Course Skill Level

see course summary

Course Language

English

Place of class

Online, self-paced (see curriculum for more information)

Degree

Certificate

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Degree & Cost

Start Writing Fiction

To obtain a verified certificate from Future Learn / The Open University you have to finish this course or the latest version of it, if there is a new edition. The class may be free of charge, but there could be some cost to receive a verified certificate or to access the learning materials. The specifics of the course may have been changed, please consult the provider to get the latest quotes and news.
The Open University
Start Writing Fiction
provided by Future Learn
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Reviews

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Here you can find information, reviews and user experiences for the course “Start Writing Fiction“. The provider of the course – “The Open University” – will be glad to answer any questions you may have about the class, click here to use the offical support channels. It would be great if you could share your experience of participating in the course – Your honest review will surely help others to choose the right class!
School: The Open University
Topic: Creative Arts & Media, Literature, Writing

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