Develop Your Fiction (18-week course)

Module one – Getting Started and Beginnings

In this module, you will explore the sources from which writers derive their ideas and learn how to effectively collate and utilise these ideas. You will examine the role of technology in facilitating the early stages of idea generation and capture. Additionally, you will embark on maintaining a writer’s journal, which will serve as part of your final assessment at the conclusion of the course.

This module will address practical considerations that all writers face, including how to find time for writing, while also introducing you to various techniques and strategies employed by other writers. You will also learn how to initiate a longer work of fiction. Throughout the course, your assignments will encourage you to submit pieces of writing based either on prompts provided by the tutor or from your ongoing projects.

Module two – Characterisation and Dialogue

This module will familiarise you with various character types found in fiction, including those from non-Western literature. You will explore how the conflicts and obstacles faced by characters shape the narrative of your story, thereby deepening your understanding of your characters. Additionally, you will compare character-driven and plot-driven narratives, drawing inspiration from the world of script and screenwriting to craft compelling dialogue.

Module three – Perspective and Setting

You will explore how perspective and setting influence the reader’s interpretation of the narrative. You will examine the various points of view available to you as a writer, discussing how perception can be shaped by the observer and the inherent power dynamics involved. Additionally, you will experiment with perspective in your own writing.

Module four – Defamiliarisation, Getting Unstuck, and Style

This module is designed to help you reframe the familiar, thereby unlocking your writing potential and alleviating writer’s block. You will explore how research can enhance your writing and discover how collaboration with other writers can support your work. Additionally, this module will provide an in-depth examination of your personal writing style, the language you use, and how these elements influence the narratives you create. It will also include a one-on-one tutorial with your tutor.

Module five – Plot and Structure

In this module, you will explore the various structural frameworks available to writers, with a particular emphasis on those that are prevalent across different cultures. You will examine the concepts of plot and consequence within your own writing, focusing on the movement and progression of your narratives. Additionally, you will analyse examples from short stories and novels that employ non-traditional or innovative structures, including works that can be classified as ‘plotless’ novels.

Module six – Revision and Ending

In this final module, you will focus on one of the most challenging aspects of writing fiction: rewriting and self-editing. You will learn to differentiate between structural edits and line edits. Additionally, you will partner with fellow writers to exchange feedback on each other’s work. Finally, you will uncover the tips and techniques that seasoned writers employ to effectively edit their own manuscripts.