Creative Writing Course.pdf

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FREE FIRST STEPS WRITING COURSE
Nice to hear from you and welcome to our FREE First Steps writing course - as far as we know the ONLY one of
it's type on the internet by a prolific writer. A couple of teaching institutions (even a film school that teaches
scriptwriting) in the States have been very encouraging about our CREATIVE WRITING COURSES. I see more
learning institutions around the globe linking to our site. This has been very encouraging and exciting for my
technical "geek" associate Bill and I based here in "Sleepy Hollow" in "Godzone" (as New Zealand is
affectionately known).
There has been great interest in our courses since we started about four years ago (the "ORIGINAL AND
FAMOUS" online creative writing course) and it has been extensively developed. Far better, I think... even if I
say so myself! We are offering the first Course FREE and the Twelve lessons of the Introductory Creative
Writing Course will be accessible on payment . We are requesting a nominal (funny word that 'nominal') fee of U.
S $69* for the INTRODUCTORY COURSE of 12 lessons.
You can pay directly by credit card on our secure site. It's perfectly safe (and painless too. OUCH!). Otherwise a
bank draft made out to C.Lock can be forwarded to me at:
Eagle Productions
2 Elm St
Gisborne 3815
New Zealand
You can do the lessons at any time which suits you and forward to me. We realise all of you have different time
constraints to do the course. Therefore please feel free to do each lesson at your own pace.
We have had many participants from all over the world since starting the first course about four years ago;
however I am committed to responding to every submission. I have put my own books aside to give my undivided
attention, time and energies to this course. My technical associate, Bill and I do appreciate hearing from you and
reading your work. I believe everyone has a story to tell within themselves... just waiting for the time and
opportunity... but most of all, we have to have the drive and dedication to get it down on paper.
I firmly believe we can use all our experiences in life to our benefit (financially and otherwise), but most of all to
reach out and touch others. That is what I have tried to do in my various books.
We all have unique styles and individual ways of getting our messages across - sharing through the written word..
You give me the inspiration to keep developing the course, so that we can all learn and grow from each others life
experiences.- through sharing and interacting (big word, eh!). It's through YOUR participation and submissions
that make this online writing course worthwhile. Phew! .. Well, your turn now...
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Hope this helps you in stimulating your creative juices, and I look forward to hearing from you again soon. I'm
sure we'll have fun getting to know each other and learning from one another as we go along the course.
"Whatever, you want to do or dream you can do, the hardest part is making a beginning. Once you take that first
step in following your passion, the rest will follow naturally ... and lead to who know's where." -- me-
How it Works and What Next!
Great you have made it this far! Well this Course is taste for our main courses.
All you need to do is to Print out the lessons or read them on your Browser.
Then complete the Homework Assignment and Submit to clock@xtra.co.nz for Craigs expert advice and
encouragement.
The Course will work on most computers (PC and Mac) from 486 and running windows 95 onwards as long as
you have some sort of WWW Browser such as IE 3.0, NS Communicator 3.0, Opera 3.0 or Neoplanet or better.
The course works offline as well as online, however to take full advantage of the interactive parts of the course
you need access to the Internet.
Our address is ;
Arthur Street
PO Box 96
Tokomaru Bay 3853
New Zealand
Telephone +64-6-8679948
Fax +64-6-8677521
All care has been taken in compiling these pages, but no responsibility can be taken for any errors or omissions.
External sites are not endorsed by the The New Zealand Enterprise Centre.
Last updated on January 4, 2001
 
Lesson 1: Introduction
What is creative writing?
I believe ALL writing is creative (a nice short sentence to get the ball rolling).
Journalism is a different form of writing in that it merely reports the facts of a particular event.
However, I believe even journalism can fall under the banner of creative writing; because it still utilises one's
imagination in HOW you choose to report an event and the style you choose to write in (more on style coming up
in a later lesson).
Journalism is meant to be completely objective, yet often the biases of reporters come through in their writing.
It is very hard to avoid that.
To be a published writer is one of the most rewarding occupations and pastimes - both financially and creatively.
I find it a very satisfying and enjoyable activity.
What do you want out of this writing course?
A few points please!
I can't teach you how to write, let alone how to be a writer.
I don't have all the answers.
All I can do is give you some tips and guidelines that I’ve learnt over the years (starting from the beginning of my
writing “career” with writing“stirring” letters to newspapers in South Africa), which hopefully will make it a lot
easier...
if that is what you really want to do.
They are all based on what I have learnt by doing it myself - usually through the long process of trial and error.
I hope this information is interesting and helpful to you in your quest to be a writer and getting published.
Firstly (and most importantly)...
There are no ABC's in writing - there is no set formula, which guarantees success.
Everyone is a unique individual with their own gifts: their experiences, perspectives and highly individual style of
writing.
I believe having the ability to put words down on paper is only the beginning to writing.
There is a great deal more to be learned on the techniques, which I’ve developed over the years. Hopefully, by the
end of this course, you’ll be able to look back and see how much your writing has progressed ( nearly all
participants on the course say this , which gives me great gratification - nice long word that, like marmalade!).
We all have our own particular style of writing. As you’ll see, I use a particular style in this course, however the
style in my novels is completely different. In this course I try to inform and entertain at the same time, through
“light, breezy” writing (no wind, please!).
My main aim in this course is to help develop your unique style of putting words to paper, as well as giving you
some practical tips that I’ve learnt (especially from writing full-time for the last six years).
I believe that writing courses and workshops (such as offered by the polytechnics here in New
Zealand) can improve your writing - as long as the basic talent, your gift is there. Online courses through the
internet can be a great educational tool (at a greatly reduced cost). Well I have to say that, don’t I?
All writing courses can help develop your skills by enhancing your creative powers, if you have the DESIRE to
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learn and grow (even dwarfs!).
I hope this course does the same for you.
Why do you want to be a writer?
What is your biggest motive you think?
Write a few sentences on this to clarify your thinking and give you something to aim for in your writing.
For example do you want to write for pleasure or for profit... or perhaps both
I find writing my thoughts down, focusses my thinking.
What are your attitudes to writing and what are your writing ambitions? What would you like to achieve in the
future?
It's fine for your writing ambitions to change over time. Mine have changed drastically, as well as my “styles”;
however right from the start I only wanted to write for publication.
For example, you might just want to "dabble" in a bit of writing for your own eyes, for pleasure; then write items
for close friends or family members. Then a few years down the track, you might decide that you want to write
articles on your particular hobby for magazines - for MONEY. Wow! Later perhaps even a book, as I believe we
all have a tale to tell deep within us.
Write briefly (a paragraph or two) in answer to this question.
A few words on this subject, please. “Manners maketh man”. What kind of writer do you want to be?
Do you want to write for pleasure and/or for profit?
I believe if you write for pleasure, you’ll be happy doing what you like... and it often leads to profit naturally.
Because when you do something you are good at, it gives you enjoyment (or when you enjoy
some activity you become better at it).
This can often lead to financial rewards.
Many top writers and other artists (yes, it is an art) earn very good money from doing what they love.
You’ve done well to get so far.
So take time out for a coffee break or a puff (no weed please!)
.
Back to “work”...
What special skills, strengths and unique life experiences do you have to write about?
Do you think they are likely to be of interest to the readers out there?
I first starting writing , because I thought through my sharing of some unusual life experiences I may be able to
help others in similar situations. My first manuscript (not yet published) was on How to Cope with Stress and
Nervous Tension (a far cry from my present writing. Sob sob!).
Incidentally, the internet is a wonderful medium for instantly reaching people throughout the world.
The French and English developed steam technology at the same time; the
French created playthings for the aristocracy and the English created
the Industrial Revolution (but at least the "Froggies" have passion and
won the World Cup. So we can all use the internet to build a better
world. That is one of my missions.
Enough philosophising... this is supposed to be a creative writing course ...
Get back on track “fella”... Write something on your areas of interest, hobbies and most importantly, your
passions .
What DRIVES you? Ford, Chevrolet or Mitsibushi?
 
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I’m a very passionate type of person, so get driven to write about my passions- one of which is helping people
(lucky you!).
In this internet writing course I hope to help you build on your natural writing talent by encouraging with positive
and constructive advice (are they the same words?) .
What it takes to be a writer?
Write down the personal qualities you think are most essential to success.
What do you believe is the single most important one?
Now that you've done that, here are my thoughts...
Writing is probably the world's most solitary occupation. No wonder I’ve gone a trifle insane, stuck here writing
in “Sleepy Hollow”. But then, aren’t the weirdest people those who think they are “normal”. Anyway, what’s
normal? My dear mother often used to say to me the craziest people were those out of the “looney bin” (most un -
PC, but I can say it, cos it’s MY course). Enough digression... Stick to the point - the first rule of good writing!
... but you can break the rules occasionally (story of my life).
What personal qualities do you need to be a writer?
I think some of the most important ones are:
Motivation
Diligence
Perseverance
Determination
Organisation
Resilience
Confidence (use rejections to improve your writing by analysing what you could do better)
and
NB. IMAGINATION .
I believe that writing is a skill, which like other artistic skills, you can learn and develop with
practice.
Just like an artist, sportsman, potter or artisan, the more you write, the better you will become.
Confidence breeds confidence and success breeds success.
So write as often as you can, whenever you feel like it.
I definitely feel that my writing abilities have improved dramatically in the last five long years
since I have totally dedicated myself to the pursuit. My publishers seem to think so too.
I do not think that an aspiring writer needs any special educational qualifications or background to be a writer.
Writers come from all walks of life and from totally different backgrounds. It doesn’t matter where in the world
you are, big city or “hick town”, you can write and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Because writing is a relatively easy and inexpensive pursuit to get into, nearly everyone has the
same opportunities to partake (nice word that, ‘partake’. Must try to use it more often.).
Look at me, an insurance “misfit” travelling the world; therefore my writing career had better work, otherwise
I’m totally “stuffed”!
A bit about my strange writing background (in case you are interested)...
The only family link with writing was my grandfather Billy who was a sports journalist.
My father was a life assurance salesman then rose to become a top executive.
My family always said that I should write, except being very ambitious for me (hopelessly misguided they were),
they said there was no money in journalism (but far more than in writing books- me). My friends said I should
write about my life experiences and I’d “make millions” (of the worthless Italian lire probably!).
However, how far you go (does that sound right?) with your creative writing will largely depend upon your own
creative talent, IMAGINATION and application, ie. your ATTITUDE. For more on this subject see my books on
 

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