Helen Brain: Author & Creative Writing Teacher
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    Basics of Creative Writing

    A three module, 4-6 month course teaching the basic craft of writing dialogue, action and description and putting them together in scenes.

    Every art form, from cooking to painting to furniture making, has basic skills that the beginner has to master before he or she can move on to creating competent and original work.

    This online course teaches the basic skills of creative writing: dialogue, action and description. Students learn how to balance these elements in their writing, how to introduce mood and tension, and how to write scenes that read professionally.

    Course Details:

    • Modules: 3 Modules: approximately 120 pages of course notes
    • Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: within four months
    • Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website

    Student must complete:

    • 40 writing exercises with one-on-one instruction from a tutor

    Admission Requirements:

    • Basic writing skills are essential
    • Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
    • No previous tertiary qualification required
       


    Click here to find out more


    Advanced Course in Creative Writing

    A 4-6 month, three module course teaching advanced techniques for writing dialogue, building atmosphere and developing strong characters.

    Do you want to know more about the technique of writing fiction? When you have learned and practiced the craft of writing, you have the skills you need to make the story you write on paper resemble the story you have developed in your head.

    Our Advanced Course in Creative Writing is designed to take the tools you acquired in the Basics Course and teach you how to use them in more sophisticated ways to achieve mature, polished writing.

    The course consists of three modules, and takes between three and six months to complete. Detailed notes are accompanied by a set of exercises to be completed in Module 1 and 2. Module 3 consists of exercises and a final scene, which will be rewritten according to the tutor’s recommendations.

    **Please note that this course is only open to graduates of our Basics of Creative Writing Course.

    Course Details:

    • Modules: 3 Modules
    • Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: between three and six months
    • Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website

    Student must complete:

    • 20 writing exercises and a final scene of 1500 - 2000 words

    Admission Requirements:
    • Student must be a graduate of our Basics of Creative Writing Course
    • Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required


    Click here to find out more


    Write a Book for Children

    A year long course for students who want to write a book for children/young teens aged 7-15. The student will finish with a complete manuscript.

    If writing books for children has always been your dream, then this course will help you achieve it. Get the guidance, skills and support you need to write a book for 8-to12-year-olds, and find out how and where to get it published.

     

    Course Details:

    • Modules: 10 Modules
    • Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: within twelve months
    • Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website

    Student will produce:

    • A book of 10 000 - 20 000 words,
    • A book synopsis
    • A book proposal
    • Numerous writing exercises of varying length

    Admission Requirements:

    • Basic writing skills are essential
    • Students must be proficient in the English Language
    • Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
    • No previous tertiary qualification required
    • Access to a library or book shop


    Click here to find out more


    Creative Writing for High School Students

    A four month, ten module course teaching the basic craft of writing dialogue, action and description.

    In creative writing you are trying to tell a story and create a mood. You want the reader to be swept away into another world that you create for them. You want to ignite their emotions. This course will teach you how to do that.

    This course is for anyone who wants to spruce up their creative writing essays at school. It is also for aspirant writers who dream of getting published one day.

    The course offers expert, one-on-one training, line by line, from a professional, award-winning writer, Helen Brain.

    Course Details:

    • Modules: 10 Modules
    • Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: up to three months
    • Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website

    Student must complete:

    • 42 writing exercises of varying length

    Admission Requirements:
    • Basic writing skills are essential
    • Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
    • Must be between 13 and 16 years of age


    Click here to find out more