The Basics of Creative Writing Course
This course is a fast, effective way to gain the skills required to write any form of fiction
4 Months
Beginner-intermediate
5
- Guaranteed 100% money back
- 12 000+ Writers trained since 2005
- Rated 5/5 on Google Reviews
The Basics of Creative Writing Course
This course is a fast, effective way to gain the skills required to write any form of fiction
4 Months
Beginner-intermediate
5
- Guaranteed 100% money back
- Rated 5/5 on Google Reviews
- 12 000+ Writers trained since 2005
Master the Basics
of Creative Writing
A fast, effective way to gain the skills required to write any form of fiction
For over 20 years, this flagship course has transformed hesitant writers into confident storytellers. It could do the same for you.
For the duration of this five-module course, you’ll work one-to-one with Helen Brain – award-winning author of more than 60 books – who will read every word you write, guide you through writing challenges and help you uncover the writer in you.
Through a rich 200-page course manual and 40 carefully crafted writing assignments, you’ll build your skills steadily and purposefully. Every exercise comes with personalised feedback, so instead of second-guessing yourself or repeating the same mistakes, you’ll know exactly what’s working, what isn’t and how to fix it.
By focusing on each writer’s unique strengths and areas needing more work, Helen has spent decades understanding what holds writers back and what sets them free. With her alongside you, your writing will come alive.
What You'll Learn
- Write vivid, convincing scenes using description, action and dialogue in balance
- Identify and fix the most common mistakes beginner fiction writers make
- Develop and sustain compelling characters across a piece of fiction
- Apply professional editing and rewriting techniques to your own drafts
- Produce a polished 1,200-word scene ready for submission or competition entry
- Understand where and how to submit your work for publication
- Build a sustainable, consistent writing practice
What You'll Learn
- Write vivid, convincing scenes using description, action and dialogue in balance
- Identify and fix the most common mistakes beginner fiction writers make
- Develop and sustain compelling characters across a piece of fiction
- Apply professional editing and rewriting techniques to your own drafts
- Produce a polished 1,200-word scene ready for submission or competition entry
- Understand where and how to submit your work for publication
- Build a sustainable, consistent writing practice
What makes studying with us different?
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work with a real writer assessing your words. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your work is assessed continuously, so your tutor can track your development and build on your strengths in real time.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Every assignment is read and assessed by a multi-award-winning writer who knows what editors want, what publishers look for and exactly what is holding your writing back.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
This course is for you if:
- You've always wanted to write fiction but don't know where to begin
- You've started stories before but struggle to finish or improve them
- You're writing for pleasure, competition entry, or eventual publication
- You want honest, expert feedback — not AI-generated or peer responses
- You live anywhere in the world and need a flexible, self-paced structure
- You want easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing
Course Curriculum
Module 1: The Components of Fiction
Formulaic structure and grammar.
- 20 practical lessons on the basics of creative writing
- Learn the components of fiction – description, action and dialogue
- Task: Complete and submit 20 short exercises on these components
Module 2: Learn How to Write Scenes
Discover the secret formula to yield the best results
- Learn how to write balanced scenes using description, action and dialogue
- Learn from the experts, analysing scenes from the world’s best fiction writers
- Discover how to build up a scene step by step
- Task: Analyse scenes from established writers, focusing on description, action, dialogue, mood and pace
Module 3: Write Your Own Scenes
Hallucinations
- How to begin writing
- How to edit and rewrite
- Task: Write a 1200-word scene from a prompt; submit a synopsis, backstory, setting and scene plan
Module 4: The Writing Life
Find your unique voice
- Where to next with your writing?
- A few necessities for writing well
- Commit to writing
- How to improve your drafts
- Task: Edit and rewrite your scene; submit the second draft of your scene
Module 5: Opportunities for Writers
Plunder your memories
- Over 80 pages of local and international writing opportunities
- Task: Submit the third and final draft of your scene
I’ve been writing for 35 years, and teaching creative writing for 20. I’ve seen over a thousand students graduate from my courses, and have an exceptionally high completion rate.
I’m very interested in the craft of writing and believe that this is something that can be learned and practised so that the story that appears on the page correlates more closely with the story in your head.
I love teaching one-on-one, and supporting my students as they stretch themselves creatively and technically.
Achievements:
- Over 60 books published for children, young adults
- Here be Lions, a memoir, published 2006
- Fiery Spiral trilogy acquired by US publisher Catalyst Press 2018
- Ibby South Africa Honours list multiple years
- ATKV Award for her teen novel Tamara
- Three of her books have been selected for the SACBF Honours List
Our Graduate Students' Successes
We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.
COURSE FEE
NZ$ 895
£ 475
ZAR 7995
Price includes VAT/GST
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
40
The writing assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
5
These modules include around 200 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
4
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of four months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at info@thewriterscollege.com
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
We've Got Answers
How does the course work?
The course consists of five modules. Detailed course notes covering the content of each module are emailed to you. At the end of each module, you will be required to complete writing exercises. In total, the course includes 40 short writing assignments, all of which count towards your final result. Once the writing assignment has been completed and emailed to your tutor, an assessment and feedback will be sent to you and the module will be considered complete. You will then download the next module from the Student Centre.
Is it interactive? Can I ask my tutor questions?
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
For how long will I get access to the course?
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
Will anyone else see my work?
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
Why would I pay for this when I can use AI?
Every assignment you submit is read by a published, award-winning, human author, someone who has sat where you’re sitting, struggled with the same craft problems and built a writing career from scratch.
Your tutor reads your work, responds to your unique voice and gives you specific feedback. AI can only give you generic, formulaic input.
We’ve been doing this since 2005, long before AI existed. Our methods work because writing is learned through practice and genuine, expert human response, not through machine-generated content.
What are the conditions of certification?
Students will receive a Writers’ College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:
- Students must complete all 40 writing assignments
- The course must be completed within four months of registration
- Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course
What are the admission requirements?
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- You must be proficient in the English language.
- Computer skills as well as email and Internet access are required.
- No previous tertiary qualification is required.
When can I start a course?
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
What is the minimum estimated time commitment?
There is no research required for this course, just planning and writing. The speed at which you work is entirely up to you. You have four months to complete the course (and an extra 21 days if your course runs over the Christmas and New Year break).
You are welcome to finish the course sooner if you want to, but we wouldn’t want you to rush the process too much!
When will I get access to the course?
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Who owns the rights to the work I produce?
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).
What if I choose the wrong course?
During the application process, we get a good idea of your suitability for the course you have chosen. If we feel there is an alternative course that will serve you better, we will always recommend that you consider that course before we approve your choice. We provide plenty of detail on each of our courses online so that you can make an educated choice as to which course will suit you best. If you want advice before you apply, just ask us. We have a lot of experience in determining your needs as a writer and finding the most suitable course for you.
If you do embark on a course and find that it is the wrong choice, then we will happily transfer you to another course, as long as it is early on in the course (i.e. within the first module). If you change your mind later on in the course, we will charge you pro rata for the modules you have completed as well as an administrative fee.