Zazew - The Fastest Growing Online Writing Network for all Types of of Writing and Publishing

If you are new to writing and really don't know where to start, this course is for you. Perhaps you have an idea for a book and don't know how to begin, or even want to write but don't have the ideas yet. By taking this course with the exercises, which will be individually assessed by your personal tutor, we will get you to the point where you will be itching to write over the next few weeks.

Course duration: The course will be delivered over a period of qpproximately 4-5 weeks and will comprise 10 lessons which you will be able to undertake at your own pace, online and will be supported by your own personal tutor

Who is this course for: Anyone either new to writing who wants to write fiction for personal achievement or who wishes to start a new and exciting career as a writer

Course outcome: Students will be awarded the Zazew certificate in ‘Introduction to Fiction Writing’ Course participants will receive a printed certificate sent by post as well as a digital Web ready version, which you will be able to display on your personal profile on Zazew and for use on other sites as you see fit

Lesson 1 -   Is Your Story Just Good Enough? A good place to start improving fiction writing is with the experts.  Fortunately, there are excellent resources available.  Rita Mae Brown wrote abouther writing experiences in a book entitled, Starting from Scratch The author details her struggles until she achieved success and acclaim.  Stephen King gained fame with novels filled with horror, but he also wrote about his journey to writing success in On Writing.  This is a fabulous book for those who are interested in the struggles, the joys and the life of a successful writer. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is another great read about the life of a successful writer.  Although this will not provide a road map for each writer, Lamott describes her writing life including the journey from first draft to publication.  One common thread noted by these great writers is the rarity of a perfect first draft.

Course Material: In preparation for lesson one, please read the passages provided in readiness for the lesson excercises

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell is an excellent, rather than just a good, story. If you have never read this story, do so now before you continue.  If you have read it, probably a good idea to reread it now.

Activities

1. Check out your first sentence.  Will it “hook” a reader?  Rate the effectiveness of the first sentence sincerely.  On a scale of 1-10 (1 = awful, 10 = worthy of a bestseller) give the first sentence of your work a grade.

2. Write several versions of your first sentence with a variety of “hooks”.  Each version should include a different element that encourages the reader to continue past this sentence to read the entire story. Use romance, mystery, danger, fear, sympathy, money or any other element to capture the attention of potential readers.

3. Reread your story from start to finish.  Evaluate your characters.  Did you show rather than tell about the characters?  Are they one dimensional or did you show the contrasts in their character? 

4. Review the conversation in this lesson between Rainsford and Whitney.  Choose two or more characters from your story and write a conversation that reveals their character, their motivations, their immediate goals, their long term goals or their religious beliefs.  Writemore such conversations if you have the time and inclination.  

5. Check out your story.  If you can find a section that is a narrative description of the character, rewrite the important details as a conversation with two or more characters.

6. Write out the theme of your story in one sentence. Does it provide worthwhile insight into the human spirit or condition? Be honest.

7. Write down the turning points of your plot. 

Example

• Rainsford falls off the yacht

• Rainsford swims to the mysterious island

• Rainsford arrives at General Zaroff’s mansion, …………………

Is your plot original, exciting and engaging? Evaluate your plot using the scale mentioned in the first activity.  If it isn’t original, exciting and engaging,start rewriting.     

Exercise
Write a second draft of your story and make sure that it is excellent rather than just good enough.

Note: You will use the resources provided by Zazew for working on your course and writing your assignments. Once you have paid your course fee, you will receive your first lesson and course material by email.