Imagine...
The enjoyment you will have as you craft your collection of stories.
The thrill of breaking out of your writing comfort zone.
The excitement of being paid for your creative passion.
The joy of seeing your work in print.
According to a recent study of writers, 97 out of 100 stories are languishing in drawers and on hard drives.
Write a Collection of Short Stories in a Year will ensure that your stories are NOT amongst them!
This course will support you from the first to the last word of your each one of your stories, whilst nurturing your talent as a writer.
You will start by exploring the kind of writer you already are and then I will help you step out of your writerly comfort zone to try your hand at a total of ten different story genres, supporting you every step of the way.
The path I'll take you on ensures you won't just wander, you'll know exactly where you're going.
"I would never have been able to achieve what I have without this guidance. There were many things about writing that I would never have thought of. The tutor is enthusiastic and encouraging. If you have always wanted to write, sign up for this course - it will be the best thing you have ever done!"
Adele, Harrogate
"This is a very informative and supportive course led by a knowledgeable and nurturing teacher. I looked forward to each session as an outlet for creativity I'd forgotten I had!"
Jo, Leeds
"An inspiring course. I honestly never thought I would be as motivated as I have been. This is all down to Maria! She really made me want to do it!"
Eve, Leeds
Course Overview
You will write in the following genres:
Flash fiction, supernatural, romance, science fiction, crime, children's, young adult, fantasy, historical and comedy.
You will spend up to three sessions on each genre, being supported to plan, draft, then edit, resulting in ten completed short stories by the end of the course.
You will gain new tools for your writer's toolbox:
Each three session block contains an emphasis on a particular writing skill.
Improving vocabulary, 'show, don't tell,' dialogue, characterisation, atmosphere, tension, pace, obstacles all writers face, defining your 'USP,' interweaving text, plotting and planning.
You will be supported to live as a writer:
Editing, presentation, outlets and options for publication, networking and promoting yourself as a writer.
Submission advice will be given so you're ready to market directly to your readers using the indie publishing option or you will be supported to go down the traditional route and submit to publishers, anthologies and competitions.
If you answer YES to one or more of the following questions, this course will be perfect for you…
Have you had several false starts with your writing?
Does your enthusiasm for a story wane halfway through?
Would your existing writing talent benefit from further direction and development?
Would you like to break out of your writing comfort zone?
Are you unsure where your writing talents should be focused?
Read on…
You will love this course and it will help you achieve your dream of writing a book and being a published writer.
I am so confident of this that I offer a risk-free 14 day money-back guarantee. (Subject to a £15 admin fee - see t&c's for further details.)
Will I really write a Collection of Short Stories within one Year?
Yes! If you follow my method of regular writing. Each session contains a warm-up activity and the inspiration and guidance to plan, draft and edit your story over three sessions.
You will learn about each genre and your writing skills will be developed.
Won’t I need a lot of discipline to get going?
Not discipline, more desire. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop. You will find yourself planning stories as you go about your life and noticing things more that you can use in your writing.
How will it fit into my lifestyle?
I send your course in 26 sessions to your in-box fortnightly - every other Monday at 8am (gmt.) You decide when you complete the exercises, arranging your time when your writing will fit in with your other commitments.
Isn’t it isolating trying to work on my own?
Writing is a solitary activity, so later in the course, I provide information about networking as a writer, both online and socially.
What if I change my mind?
This course comes with a risk-free 14 day money-back guarantee. (Subject to a £15 admin fee - see t&c's for further details.)
What does it cost?
£30 per month for 5 months or one payment of £125. (This investment in yourself has the potential to return to you many times over with all those future book sales, and even more if you use the course to write subsequent books.)
How will I know what to do with my book once I have written it?
You will not only know how to write a story in ten genres, but in the latter stages of the course, guidance is given around preparing and presenting your manuscript for submission to get it published along with guidance about independent publishing and traditional publishing.
How will I know if what I am writing is any good?
As you progress through the course, your novel will strengthen. Writing is a craft and the course will equip you to improve and be able to self-assess and edit until your manuscript is as polished as can be.
Will I get individual feedback on my writing?
This course does not include an individual critique service as this would increase the cost of the course significantly. It is designed to develop your writing skills, and provide self-editing support. See the private consultancy question below if this is something you would like to add to your course.
Is private consultancy available?
You have the option to add one, or both of the following to your course, as and when you feel they may help.
1. A 60 minute one to one private consultation session with me. (via video call.)
2. A detailed report which critiques a 500 word extract of your work in progress.
These services are by arrangement and will incur an additional fee.
