Online Writing Courses: Memoir, Fiction, Script, and Blog
Online writing courses provide structured training across diverse genres, including memoir, novel writing, screenwriting, and blogging. These programs teach essential craft elements like plot construction, character development, pacing, and genre-specific techniques. They also cover practical steps such as manuscript preparation, publishing basics, and leveraging writing for professional marketing purposes.
Key Takeaways
Courses cover specialized genres like memoir, romance, and screenwriting.
Learn core writing techniques such as "Show, Don't Tell" and story pacing.
Programs offer practical support, including coaching and publishing basics.
Master plot construction and character development for various formats.
Acquire skills for professional blogging and social media branding.
How can online courses help structure and write a memoir?
Online memoir courses guide writers through the complex process of transforming personal memories into a cohesive narrative structure. These programs focus on identifying the core theme, plot, and story archetype inherent in life experiences. By learning how to shape the narrative and organize memories effectively, writers can determine what content to include or exclude, ultimately preparing the final manuscript for assembly.
- Finding the shape and structure of the memoir
- Organizing memories into a book structure
- Identifying Theme, Plot, and Story Archetype
- Content Selection (What to include and exclude)
- Tools for construction and final assembly
What essential skills are taught in general novel writing courses?
General novel writing courses, such as "Writers Write ONLINE," focus on developing a complete narrative from an initial idea to a finished plot. These programs emphasize creating memorable characters and mastering fundamental techniques like "Show, Don't Tell." Students receive one-on-one coaching, engage in practical exercises, and learn crucial elements of story pacing and publishing basics, including preparing query letters and synopses.
- One-on-one writing coach support
- Nurturing an idea into a complete plot
- Creating memorable characters
- Techniques (Show, Don't Tell)
- Story Pacing
- Publishing Basics (Query letters and synopses)
- Practical exercises supplementing theory
How do online courses teach the craft of screenwriting?
Screenwriting courses teach the unique format and basic elements required for film and television scripts through a step-by-step craft learning process. Writers learn to develop powerful characters and workable plots suitable for visual media. The curriculum highlights the importance of setting and scene building, developing a treatment, and understanding the key differences between writing for the big screen versus the small screen, culminating in preparing the final script.
- Understanding basic elements and unique format
- Step-by-step craft learning process
- Developing powerful characters and workable plots
- Importance of setting and scene building
- Developing a treatment for the script
- Differences between Big Screen and Small Screen writing
- Preparing the final script
Why is professional blogging training important for marketing and branding?
Professional blogging courses treat blogging as a vital marketing tool focused on lead generation and brand building. These programs provide one-on-one coaching to help writers create a functional blog and consistently produce engaging content. Key learning areas include defining and choosing the right social media platforms and learning how to write effectively for a brand across both the blog and associated social media channels to build a platform for followers and products.
- Blogging as a professional/marketing tool
- One-on-one blogging coach
- Creating a blog and writing content
- Building a platform for followers/products
- Defining and choosing the right social media platforms
- Writing for brand across blog and social media
What techniques are used to write effective short stories?
Short story courses focus on efficiency and impact, teaching plot construction using a simple, repeatable recipe to ensure a strong narrative arc. A primary goal is avoiding the common "muddle in the middle" by maintaining tight pacing and structure. The course emphasizes creating characters that leave a lasting impression and ensuring the ending logically fits the character and situation. It also covers the practical steps of preparing and submitting manuscripts, often for competition purposes.
- Plot construction using a repeatable recipe
- Creating characters that leave an impression
- Avoiding the 'muddle in the middle'
- Ensuring the ending fits the character/situation
- Preparing and submitting manuscripts for competition
What are the steps for writing and submitting children's stories?
Writing for children requires specialized skills focused on age-appropriate plotting and narrative style. These courses guide aspiring authors through plotting a children’s story effectively, followed by the actual writing process tailored to the target audience. The final stage involves preparing the manuscript for submission, ensuring it meets industry standards and publisher expectations for children's literature.
- Plotting a children’s story
- Writing the children’s story
- Preparing the manuscript for submission
How do romance writing courses teach genre-specific techniques?
Romance writing courses specialize in the unique demands of the genre, focusing on selecting a plot theme and meeting specific sub-genre requirements. The curriculum teaches how to create compelling heroes and heroines and utilizes techniques like "Show and Tell in Romance" to build emotional depth. Crucially, the course covers setting selection, scene/sequel structure, and methods for creating palpable sensual tension, alongside practical tips designed to attract the attention of editors.
- Choosing a plot theme
- Selecting and meeting sub-genre requirements
- Creating heroes and heroines
- Techniques (Show and Tell in Romance)
- Setting selection and scene/sequel structure
- Creating sensual tension
- Tips for editor attraction
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the memoir writing course?
The memoir course focuses on finding the narrative shape and structure of your life story, organizing memories, identifying core themes, and selecting the appropriate content to include or exclude for the final assembly.
What practical support is offered in the general novel writing course?
The general novel writing course provides one-on-one writing coach support, practical exercises to supplement theory, and instruction on publishing basics, including how to prepare effective query letters and synopses.
What is the main difference between big screen and small screen writing?
Screenwriting courses address the structural and pacing differences between writing for feature films (big screen) and episodic television (small screen), ensuring the script format and development process align with the intended medium.
How does the blogging course help with professional goals?
The blogging course treats blogging as a professional marketing tool for lead generation. It teaches content creation, platform building, and how to write consistently for a brand across both the blog and selected social media platforms.
What is the key to writing a successful short story?
Success in short story writing relies on using a repeatable plot construction recipe, creating memorable characters, and avoiding narrative drag ("muddle in the middle"). The ending must always fit the character and situation.
