This programme is designed for anyone considering professional authoring for a variety of media including books, short stories, radio and television. The aim of this self-study course is to provide a comprehensive guide to the skills and techniques of writing fiction successfully, and will enable students to study a variety of styles. The course also examines practical aspects of getting published plus the essential elements of both short stories and novels.
What skills are needed to enrol onto this course?
There are no previous skills or qualifications required to register for this study programme.
What if I have a question relating to my course?
All students will be assigned a personal tutor with whom they may correspond with via telephone or email. Details will be in your course study pack.
How long will this course take to complete?
All students have one year to complete this course from date of registration. Average study of 120 hours.
What exactly is included in the cost of my course?
What qualification is awarded upon completion?
Every successful student will be awarded the ASET Diploma in Fiction Writing. See qualification page.
Do I have to sit an exam?
No! This course is completed using continual assessment, allowing your tutor to closely monitor your progress every step of the way. Therefore no examination is required.
Course syllabus:
The course is divided into the following modules:
Introduction
Content
Style
Techniques
Marketing
Unit 1 The Short Story
How to study and analyse it
Studying the market
Overseas markets
Writing is a business
How do I find ideas?
How do I present my manuscript?
Where do I find facts?
Unit 2 - The Theme
Choosing a theme
The basic emotion
First or third person?
Get out of the way!
Reader identification
Setting
Style
Unit 3 The Plot
Plotting
Accuracy
The plot scheme
A twist in the tale
Finding a plot
Conflict, tension & Suspense
Balance and pace
Unit 4 The Characters
Your chief character
Names
Can people be plots?
Characterisation
Motives
Mannerisms
Minor Characters
Hero, Heroine, Villain or Clown
How people operate
Unit 5 Getting Started
How to start?
The plot thickens
Stuck?
Handling Transitions
How to end?
Your work plan
Rules are made to be broken
Unit 6 Title & Dialogue
Choosing a title
Writing Dialogue
Grammar, dialect and slang
Types of short story
The serial
Unit 7 Practical Details
Copyright
The laws of defamation
Agents and Vanity Publishers
Keeping records
Payment
Income Tax
Expenses
Writing for radio
Writing for television
Presenting a TV drama
Unit 8 Writing a Novel
Structure
Action, Thriller, Mystery
Science Fiction
Crime & Detective novels
Historical novels
Serious novels
Final points
What are the career opportunities and salary potential when working in this field?
When giving our students careers advice, we like to leave it to the experts. Visit www.s1jobs.com and see for yourself. You will find thousands of national employment opportunities at your fingertips, giving you relevant and up to date information. By visiting them you will get the real facts.
Can you send me this info in the post?
Unfortunately not, we list all our course details online including fees, duration and syllabus. By doing this we are able to keep our fees to a minimum. Please contact us if you have further questions.
Can I pay the course fees in instalments?
We do have a payment option which allows students to pay monthly. To arrange this plan please call free on 0800 0131030. All payment plans incur a £15.00 admin fee
What if I receive my course and its not suitable?
We offer a seven day money back guarantee on this course. If for any reason you are not happy please return it to our office within seven days of receipt and we will refund your money. Please be aware all courses require a signature upon receipt. The seven day period starts from the date it is signed for. No refunds are given after seven days whatever the circumstances. Money back guarantee excludes postage costs. It is also the students responsibility to cover return postage costs. All returns must be sent recorded delivery to our trading address shown on the contact us page.
