Write a novel course

Take on the challenge of a 12 month novel writing course tutored by multi-award-winning novelists, Alex Smith and Louis Greenberg.

The course covers everything you need to write your manuscript - chapter by chapter.
Learn how to write dialogue, create characters, how to structure your plot and create tension. Walk away with a proposal ready for the publisher's desk.
You will learn about:
- The basics: theme, point of view, voice, genre, characterisation, plot, structure (Modules 1-5)
- Writing skills: style, dialogue, revision (Modules 6-8)
- Publication: finding a publisher, editing and book production (Modules 9-10)
- The writing life, issues and trends (Modules 11-12)

However, the main focus will be on writing your individual manuscript. Our tutors are able to assess writing in any style and genre. At the same time, we specialise in these areas:
- literary
- urban horror and fantasy
- romance and lighter fiction
- crime and thriller
This course is also available for Afrikaans writers tutored by Wilna Adriaanse.

You'll be writing your novel as we go along, and as the course progresses, the emphasis will shift away from exercises to text critiques and support. You'll regularly send installments of your manuscript to your tutor for feedback. At the end of 12 modules, you will have gained important skills and have a text of at least 20 000 words.

The aim of the initial course is to produce a solid preliminary text of 20 000 to 25 000 words. You may then choose to continue with the follow-up course, which will be aimed at completing the manuscript.
Course Details:
- Modules: 12 Modules
- Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: within 12 months
- Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website
Student must complete:
- Preliminary text of 25 0000 to 30 000 words
- A cover letter to the publisher
Admission Requirements:
- Basic writing skills are essential
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
- No previous tertiary qualification required


Course curriculum

Module one - Introducing the world of fiction writing
Module two - The basics: Theme, point of view, voice, tense and genre
Module three - Your characters
Module four - Plot: narrative structure
Module five - Beginnings, endings and transitions
Module six - Style
Module seven - Dialogue
Module eight - Self-editing: Pitfalls and solutions
Module nine - Selling your book
Module ten - The process of book production
Module eleven - Trends in publishing, self-publishing and e-publishing
Module twelve - The writing life

For more course details, and to apply, please go to our website at www.sawriterscollege.co.za.

Venues

Date: 04 July 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Date: 18 July 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Date: 25 July 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Date: 01 August 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Date: 22 August 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Date: 29 August 2013
Location: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R 5495.00

Contact: Koos Turenhout
Company name: SA WRITERS' COLLEGE
Email address