Write a novel course

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 one to five)
- Writing skills: style, dialogue, revision (modules six to eight)
- Publication: finding a publisher, editing and book production (modules nine to 10)
- The writing life, issues and trends (modules 11 to 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, email 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.

Date: 07 September 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 28 September 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 05 October 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 26 October 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 02 November 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 30 November 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 07 December 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 21 December 2017
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 04 January 2018
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995

Date: 25 January 2018
Venue: Online correspondence course, Countrywide
Cost: R6,995