Many writers looking to hone their craft consider taking writing courses for authors. However, with so many courses available, finding the right one can be a challenge. A writer must consider the quality of the content offered, the feedback possibilities, and the environment of the course if it has any workshop opportunities. Afterall, this art is personal, and to seek help in becoming better at it is a choice that can make a writer feel vulnerable.
Among those courses for authors, where a writer might find help is Fictionary, or more specifically, Fictionary Live! As the title suggests, these courses are live and unrecorded, offering instruction where writers can strengthen their skills in a supportive community.
Why Should Authors Take Story Writing Courses?
Most writers find their passion through reading the stories other people have written.
They turn to their own pens and keyboards wanting to draft stories that sweep them into the imaginary much like their favorite authors. However, being a beautiful writer is different from being a strong storyteller.
Stories have been told for hundreds of years, and even those earliest stories follow a structure to create gripping tales. Without having a sound structure, a story is at risk of losing its grip on the reader.
3 Tips for Choosing the Best Creative Writing Classes
- Tip 1: Choose a course that offers knowledge specific to your stage in the writing process
- Tip 2: Choose a course taught by experienced instructors
- Tip 3: Choose a course that fosters a love of writing and writers
Introducing Fictionary Live!: The Best All-Round Writing Course
What is Fictionary Live?
Fictionary Live! Is a series of six week long classes intended to take a writer from a rough draft to a fully revised manuscript.
Why Fictionary Live! is the Best Story Writing Course
Fictionary Live! Offers courses from experienced editors in a format that meets the writer where they are in their writing process.
Story Writing is so Much More than the Writing Bit
Whether to plot or not to plot is a common debate amongst writers.
Some plotters have detailed outlines before they begin their manuscripts, while other writers find their story as they write into the characters and events.
Regardless of where a writer exists in the debate, having a direction one intends to go with a story can give a writer confidence when starting a new book. A strong outline shows the direction of a powerful story, and while that outline might change throughout the writing process, the structure is there from the beginning.
Likewise, having a strong edit when that first draft is finished can ensure the revision is one the writer can approach with confidence.
6 Weeks to Outline a Novel
Outlining a novel can feel too restricting at first for many writers who find their stories as they write.
The pressure of this anticipated restriction can make writers lose their confidence and sometimes abandon their work. The Fictionary Live! courses for authors show writers how to write an outline with direction while also acknowledging their story might change along the way.
During the course of six weeks, these concerns are shared amongst a class in the live session, with feedback from the instructors and community. By addressing limiting fears, and showing a writer how to use their art within the format of an outline, the writer develops tools they can use in their current work in progress as well as their future manuscripts.
Writers can expect lessons where objectives are met and homework is assigned.
Each week builds on the previous week, and by the end of six weeks, the writer has a working outline to use in writing their story, showing the writer that powerful stories exist with solid structure and the story level.
6 Weeks to Outline a Scene
Outlining a scene can pose similar issues for a writer in terms of feeling restricted, until the realization that knowing the structure of a scene can help a writer with inspiration. For writers who fear the blank page, outlining a scene gives direction in smaller increments to build a full working story.
The 6 weeks to Outline a Scene course takes a writer through the structure of a scene and shows writers how to ensure each scene is working for their story. Writers can expect a course with strong instructional lessons provided with opportunities to share scenes and discuss in an open and supportive forum.
Much like the importance of having a strong story structure, having a strong scene structure will ensure a great story being told.
6 Weeks to Edit a Novel
Once a writer has a strong outline, and has written a full manuscript with structurally sound scenes, the editing process begins.
Before sending the work off to an editor, a writer should ensure they have the best working manuscript they can. This editing can be intimidating without the knowledge of what editors look for in a strong manuscript.
The 6 Weeks to Edit a Novel course shows a writer what a strong edit looks like by evaluating both the full novel structure and the scene level structure. By using the 38 Fictionary Elements, the writer will learn how to conduct a full edit on their own work with actionable advice.
This course will offer the same open forum, with a deep dive into the Fictionary software which can be used to perform a strong edit on one’s own manuscript.
With a strong edit, the writer will have a story with a sound structure ready to revise.
6 Weeks to Revise a Novel
Once a full edit is done, the revising stage begins. Without knowing how to address the editing notes, a writer can struggle in this process.
The 6 weeks to Revise a Novel course takes writers step by step through the revision process by building on the editing plan constructed in the 6 Weeks to Edit a Novel course.
The course will consistently revisit ideas and plans laid in the editing course, and show a writer how to use these plans to revise their manuscript. At the end of six weeks, writers will have a finished manuscript.
These revisions will ensure a great story with a sturdy structure ready to meet readers.
Best Writing Course FAQs
Why are Creative Writing Tutorials Important?
Creative writing tutorials offer writers craft knowledge and experience. This knowledge and experience supports writers as they develop their own writing and storytelling.
There are so Many Ways to Learn Creative Writing… Which Course Is Right for Me?
Writers should choose courses they feel offer valuable information in a format that is supportive and respects the writer and their art.
What Makes a Story Writing Course Good?
Good story writing courses should provide writers with actionable advice to take to their own work, allow them opportunities to share their work with feedback, and create a community of kindness.
Conclusion: Courses for Authors
No matter what stage a writer is at in their writing, strong storytelling courses for authors are available to help writers develop their craft and hone their storytelling skills.
Take a 14 day free trial of the Fictionary Software today.