Are you a beginner writer? Do you know you want to put pen to paper but not know where to start? This eight-week course based on workshops I give in the North East of England, will give you an introduction to the basic elements of creative writing from prose fiction to poetry. The course is entirely free and you can work through it at your own pace. Feel free to ask any questions along the way by posting in the comments box. If you would like feedback on your work, we offer a reasonably priced critiquing service . The eight-week course will cover:
- Releasing your creativity and finding your niche: poetry or prose.
- The short story. Narrative and plot development.
- Writing from a point of view
- Active vs passive writing - bringing your writing to life.
- Character development.
- Writing dialogue.
- An Introduction to poetry.
- Getting into print.
For a list of recommended reading, please see the creative writing section of my bookshop. Buy them, borrow them from your library, whatever, but try to get a look at them. In particular, The Creative Writing Coursebook is as close to a setwork for this course as you’re going to get - this one’s worth having on your shelf.
Happy writing!
Welcome to The Crafty Writer, published by Fiona Veitch Smith, a freelance journalist, author, playwright and writing teacher. This site is full of information and resources to help you on your journey to become a better writer. 
Hi Fi,
Sorry I missed last week. Feeling a lot better now. I wrote a short story. Do you want me to send it to you, or just bring it in on Wednesday?
Take Care love
Tammy
xxxx
Your professional critique is badly needed. If you have time, it might interest you to go through some of the fiction stuff I have posted up on my fiction blog at http://siquijoriantales.blogspot.com. Comments coming from a published writer like you is definitely an honor. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Miss
I am beginner writer. i want take participate in this course plz send me relevent study material.
Hello Attia. This is the course. Just work through the material online in your own time. Click on each number 1 - 8 and you will get the next session. If you’ve got any questions or comments just leave them at the bottom of each session like you’ve done here. Good luck with it and happy writing.
I am a teacher from Pakistan and am very grateful to people like you who offer help to people like me who have a thirst for knowledge but cannot physically or financially be part of your learning program.Please tell me how i can be part of your brilliant program
Yours Thankfully
Nazneen
Hello Nazneen, everything you need is already on the site. Just work through the eight sessions (links above) in your own time. If you have any problems, just contact me. I hope you enjoy the course.
i want study the technical writing what are the advanages and how to study the technical writing course, pleasesend the informain as early as possible
Hi Parameswara. I don’t offer a technical writing course, just a creative writing course and a non-fiction writing course. Perhaps by technical you mean non-fiction - ie factual. Which ever one you want to study, just click on the green or blue block on the home-page and it will take you to the course. All you have to do is click on each session listed 1 - 8 and it will take you to the course material. Just work through it at your own pace.
I would like to join the free eight week course in Creative Writing.
I understand that it is an on line course, please correct me if I’m wrong
I’m not an experienced write but I do have an honours degree in Economic History with English to pass degree level.I also have many years ago experience of teaching language and literature.
I started your course yesterday and want to continue from where I stopped which was excercise 3
This is the first time that I have studied on line and I am just getting used to handling the online creative writing course.I have reached excercise 3.
I woulg like to study excercise 3
Hi Jean, I don’t know what else I can tell you other than what I already have. You are already on the right page so you obviously know how to get there. Take your mouse and move your cursor over the list of sessions 1 - 8. Each session is hyperlinked which means that when you click on it it will take you to the next session. When you’ve finished that, go back to this introduction page and click on the next session. If you’re still struggling, perhaps you can find someone who knows a bit more about computers to help you navigate. Good luck.
Thank-you for your help. I have completed excercise 3 and am now ready to proceed to excercise 4
I found excercise 3 stimulating as the encouragement to express myself on someone else’s terms created by my own work made me more disciplined in creative application.I am looking forward to completing excercise 4 when I find it and if it’s available.
Hi Jean, glad you enjoyed session 3. Session 4 is constantly available - the whole course is. Follow the instructions I’ve given you before and you should get to it. Good luck and happy wriing.
When will the next classes take place. If I have not already missed them.
Sincerely,
Tracie Wallace
Hi Tracie. The course is now constantly online. Just click on the first session and get startted. Good luck and happy writing.
please i wish to apply for the free on line course.am interested
please isnt there any forms i could fill? how do i know that i have been admitted
Hi Essenanwan. There are no forms and no application process. The course is already ‘live’ online. Just take your mouse and click on the link to the first session in the list above and you can get started. Work through it in your own time. Happy writing!
Would like to join this course. How do i go about doing this?
Hi Jenny. You just click on the first session - in the list above - and work you way through it. Feel free to leave comments or ask questions along the way. This was a ‘real time’ course in , but now that it’s finished it’s free for anyone who wants to do it. To get to the next session there should be links at the end of each session, if not, just come back to this page. Happy writing.