Fiction Writing Level 3

Course Code: OCN306
Award Level 3, Similar to - A-Level

This programme is designed for anyone considering professional authoring for a variety of media including books, short stories, radio and television. The aim of this self-study course is to provide a comprehensive guide to the skills and techniques of writing fiction successfully, and will enable students to study a variety of styles. The course also examines practical aspects of getting published plus the essential elements of both short stories and novels.

Course Content

The course is divided up eight modules, as follows:

Introduction

Content
Style
Techniques
Marketing

Unit 1 – The Short Story

How to study and analyse it
Studying the market
Overseas markets
Writing is a business
How do I find ideas?
How do I present my manuscript?
Where do I find facts?

Unit 2 - The Theme

Choosing a theme
The basic emotion
First or third person?
Get out of the way!
Reader identification
Setting
Style

Unit 3 – The Plot

Plotting
Accuracy
The plot scheme
A twist in the tale
Finding a plot
Conflict, tension & Suspense
Balance and pace

Unit 4 – The Characters

Your chief character
Names
Can people be plots?
Characterisation
Motives
Mannerisms
Minor Characters
Hero, Heroine, Villain or Clown
How people operate

Unit 5 – Getting Started

How to start?
The plot thickens
Stuck?
Handling Transitions
How to end?
Your work plan
Rules are made to be broken

Unit 6 –Title & Dialogue

Choosing a title
Writing Dialogue
Grammar, dialect and slang
Types of short story
The serial

Unit 7 – Practical Details

Copyright
The laws of defamation
Agents and “Vanity Publishers”
Keeping records
Payment
Income Tax
Expenses
Writing for radio
Writing for television
Presenting a TV drama

Unit 8 – Writing a Novel

Structure
Action, Thriller, Mystery
Science Fiction
Crime & Detective novels
Historical novels Serious novels
Final points

Course Duration

Students may register at any time and have a full year to complete their studies.

Assessment

The course will take the form of a series of written assignments which are submitted and marked by your tutor. There is no external examination.

Study Method

The course is designed for study by distance learning at home or at work. Students receive a course manual, assignments and study guide plus tutor support by mail or email. You can start at any time and plan your studies over a period of up to one year from the time of registration.

Qualifications

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a level 3 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can read more about NCFE and our awarding bodies here: Awards