Module One: Getting Started

What to think about if you want to sell your story

How much you can expect to earn writing short stories

Writing for a specific market

Studying your market

Knowing your readers

Studying the house style of the target magazine 

Writing Exercise: Write a warm-up1500-word story, in response to a given prompt. (20)

Module 2: Characterization

Different ways to introduce your characters and make them believable

The importance of the "back story"

Making use of all the senses

Writing a three-dimensional character 

The importance of the right name

Writing Exercise: In two parts. Part One: A 100 word "back story" about one of the characters mentioned. Part Two: 150 words of dialogue between the two characters. (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 3: Dialogue

Writing believable dialogue

Keeping conversation sounding natural and up to date

The use of "said"

Using slang and dialect effectively

How to convey thoughts

Writing Exercise: 500 words of conversation between mother and son after the son has crashed the family car, taking into account the different age and character of each person. (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 4: Point of View

How different points of view can shape and alter a story.

First person and third person writing.

How writing in the First Person affects your story

One event = six points of view!

Writing exercise: Read one girl's account of something that happened in the office. Then re-write this as seen through the eyes of two other people concerned. (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 5: How to plot your story

What is a plot?

Various classic plot patterns (as applied to popular stories)

Avoiding clichéd plots.

The Twist in the Tale

Finding ideas

Writing Exercise: A ten-sentence synopsis of a plot, choosing a character and a situation from the lists provided. (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 6: Setting and story structure

The definition of structure in a story

Structural devices to add interest

Writing style: Using metaphors for maximum impact

How settings can define your story. Or not. 

Writing Exercise: Think of a story line and write the opening paragraphs. The setting must be seen to affect the story that will follow. Write the story. (1500 words) (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 7: Editing your story

Keeping it clean

The importance of the word count

Lean and mean is good

How to cut for maximum impact

Tying up the ends 

Writing Exercise: Read a 360-word excerpt from a story and edit it down to 230 words without losing any of the important features. (20) 

Module 8: Writing purely for personal satisfaction, not financial reward! 

Advice for creative writers

Outlets for literary work

Competitions

Self- publishing

Writing Exercise: 500 words. Decide on a character. Try to become that person and record his or her thoughts and observations so that the reader has a deep insight into the state of mind of your protagonist. (20) Optional - complete the story (1500 words) for feedback from your tutor.

Module 9: Marketing and submitting your story

Presenting your story

Writing a cover letter to the editor

Things to remember when submitting

Keeping track of your submissions

Addresses of magazines

Sample guidelines of magazines.

Methods of payment

Writing Exercise: Write a 2000-word short story of any genre aimed at YOU magazine. The final assignment will also be marked by an outside moderator. (80)

How does the course work?
The course consists of nine modules. Detailed class notes covering the content of each module are e-mailed to students, or students can download these off the site.
At the end of each module, students will be required to complete a writing exercise. In total, the course includes eight short writing assignments, all of which count towards the final result of the student and one 2000-word short story. However they are welcome to turn each writing assignment into a short story for critical feed back if they would like to do so.
Once the writing assignment has been completed, and e-mailed to the lecturer, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete. The next module will then be e-mailed to the student.
Please note: Assignments should be returned as attachments, not in the body of the e-mail.

Conditions of certification:
Students will receive an SA Writers' College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions: 

Students must have completed all 9 writing assignments.

The course must have been completed within five months of registration.

Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course

Minimum estimated time commitment:
There is no research required for this course, just planning and writing. The speed at which you work is entirely up to you.  After studying the modules, the exercises should take between half an hour and two hours to complete. A completed story could take longer.