Creative Writing Workshop

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
24032 Students

Get a taste of the writer's life and improve your writing skills in this introduction to writing creatively.

If you've always wanted to write but have no idea where to start, this course will demystify the process for you. You'll get a taste of the writing life, improve your writing skills, and develop new ways to stretch your creative muscles.

This exciting, hands-on course for the creative writing novice is filled with challenging exercises, expert advice, and plenty of direct support and encouragement. As you work your way through the lessons, you'll develop your own short, creative fiction or nonfiction piece.

Our emphasis in this course is on developing your skills through practice, so you'll spend more time writing than reading. You'll master important concepts by completing enjoyable writing exercises and assignments, and you'll discover a variety of strategies and techniques the pros use to develop characters, create a compelling point of view, build interest through dialogue, and add meaning to your stories.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

You'll jump right in and start writing in this first lesson, but with the permission to write as poorly as you want. This isn't school as you knew it! Today, you'll find out how to enjoy yourself while you write—when you're having fun, that's when the learning starts. You'll learn how to listen to your mind work so you can practice turning your thoughts into words. You'll discover that you're quite a complicated person and why it's all right to think of yourself as a writer.

In today's lesson, you'll write even more as you practice writing description and capturing detail. More than that, you'll complete writing experiments that will help you discover what ideas and symbols reside in the things you write about. And you'll practice using description to capture emotion. By the end of the lesson, you'll have enough material to decide what you want to write about. You'll start work on a short, creative piece that you'll finish by the end of the class.

Today, you'll explore the different forms that fiction and creative nonfiction can take. Form is the container that holds your ideas. Creative nonfiction is a new genre that offers you many terrific ways to explore your love of writing. To stimulate your creative side, I've also included a list of some odd forms you might try. You'll find out that you have the option of ignoring the decision about form for now, letting it emerge from your content as you write. It takes courage, but you can do it.

Memorizing the major points of view is boring! Instead, you'll spend this lesson writing from each of the points of view, then learning about them afterward. You'll have a lot more fun that way. I'll show you how distance works in creative writing, and why your verb tense can make a big difference. This practice will give you as taste of each point of view option, and help you decide which you want to use in your own creative piece.

In this lesson, you'll get a chance to play by exploring the concept of creativity. You'll find your own creative center and use it to come up with ideas that are better than you expected. You'll try a technique called "galumphing" to create a mini-story. You'll learn to take the attitude of a <em>bricoleur</em> so that you can make something out of nothing. You'll gain the knowledge you need to continually nurture your creative ability.

You'd think the topic of revision would be dull and dry. The exact opposite is true. Revision is one of the most amazing tools a writer can use. Beyond learning the nuts and bolts of revision, you'll learn how revision is a process of discovery. Your creativity will constantly contribute while you evaluate your words using all your abilities. Come along for a bit of revelation.

Here's where you'll learn why it's so easy to write poorly, and you'll discover some good ways to catch yourself when you do. You'll find out why nouns are more powerful than adjectives and why a strong verb outshines a descriptive adverb. Next, we'll examine each step of the communication process and practice making dull sentences interesting. You'll learn a great technique for eliminating clichés and use the depths of your creative ability to write a powerful, original description.

Every creative writer can use some tips about the logistics of dialogue. It's not easy to write what characters are thinking, avoid hedging words, use conflict to create interest, describe emotions, and always get your facts right. These techniques aren't typically taught in school, so it's helpful to learn them here. You'll practice fixing choppy sentences, and you'll begin to think about your readers and what they have to do with what you want to write.

It's time to examine how the act of writing teaches you about yourself. You'll take a good look at the voices of your inner critics to see what they're really telling you. You'll discover whose voices you're listening to and write them "Unsent Letters" to tell them what you think about their messages. You'll try a writing exercise called "The Story of My Life" that will help you examine where you've been and where you'd like to go from here. Then you'll practice the "Ultimate Motivation" exercise to figure out what it takes to make your dreams come true.

Today, you'll delve into the inner workings of stories. We'll explore the three basic building blocks of a plot. You'll try out several ways to make up a plot and learn how to write endings. We'll discuss the option of writing a story before you know how it ends. It takes courage, but the result can be worth the bumpy ride. You'll explore how to move through time using summaries, scenes, and flashbacks. This lesson will help you understand why even simple stories can intrigue and hold your reader.

All people have a lot in common. We share the same basic story. We're born, we struggle, and in the end, we die. Your job as a writer is to create characters that your readers feel similarities with. In this lesson, you'll practice developing characters and using dialogue. You'll learn how to pay attention to people—what makes them different and what makes them the same. I'll pass on some tips on writing good dialogue, and then you'll conduct an in-depth interview—with yourself!

In our last lesson, we'll talk about the ways you'll inevitably doubt yourself as you write. You'll try out two exploratory writing exercises that will help you develop the trust you need to keep on writing. I'll have you consider the point of view of an alien living five million light years away. Humans have an odd habit of writing down events that may or may not have happened. Why do they like to write? What good does it do? How can they tell good writing from what isn't so good? From this perspective, you'll discover why the pursuit of meaning comes naturally to human beings. You'll get some good advice about steps you can take to continue to improve your writing, as well as explore publishing. In your final assignment, you'll share your short creative piece with me and your fellow students.

Ann Linquist

Ann Linquist is a popular continuing education tutor, at corporations, and with non-profit organisations. She has helped thousands of adults learn to tackle their writing tasks with enthusiasm. Having written everything from novels to newsletters,... Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

What people are saying about our courses

I want to thank you so much. This class has been wonderful for me. As a writer, I know I have a long way to go, but I am willing to do what it takes to get there, and this class has served as wonderful beginning for me. I thank you and hope all aspiring writers take this course. It is a godsend.

Verified Student

This course has been a revelation. I've attended many writers workshops over the past quarter century, and none of them equaled your course. I thought I had a solid grasp on writing techniques and the basics, but you presented solid, step-by-step information that was not only helpful but stimulating and exciting. Concurrently, your comments and encouragement were right on target, as was the support of the classmates. Well done and thorough, and the exercises were superb. Thank you very much.

Verified Student

I didn't have a story that needed to be told. I didn't consider myself a closet writer. I didn't have a book of ideas. I took this course because I wanted to expand my horizons and have fun. This course surpassed all my expectations. I gained insight into and increased the trust in my creative ability. I have become more observant of the world and people that surround me. I've used the skills I learned in this course to become more aware of who I am and what I want in life.

Verified Student

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The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Creative Writing Workshop you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

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Creative Writing Workshop

$599

$389AUD

Save 35%

Be Assertive!

Now Only

$389

AUD

35% off

$599 AUD

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
10741 Students

Find out how you can stop others from intimidating you or treating you poorly.

Are you tired of being intimidated and treated badly by others? Learn specific techniques to become more assertive in all parts of your life. Discover how people manipulate you and how you submit to being a victim. Understand the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviors, and see how inner dialogues keep people acting in passive ways. Explore ways to change your inner dialogue, such as using affirmations and visualisation, creating new labels for yourself and others, and keeping a journal.

Do you think you speak non-assertively?If so,master the skills that will empower you to talk in an assertive manner, including specific verbal techniques and phrases for a variety of situations. Anger and criticism from others are difficult to deal with, so you'll get many tips on how to handle these. And because your body can reflect an inner uncertainty, you'll learn how to use facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, and your voice to reinforce the assertive statements you're making.

You teach people how to treat you through your behaviors as well as your words, and this course will help you understand which behaviors to use with others so they perceive youas being assertive. When you begin to exhibit your new confidence in relationships, people will counter in various ways. You'll learn how to stand firm in the face of this resistance.

Get the assertiveness training you need in order tobe more confident and powerfulwith family members, friends, bosses, co-workers, professionals, service people, and even total strangers. It's your turn to speak up!

This first lesson will mark a turning point in your life. You'll begin by measuring your assertiveness quotient, you'll learn about the many surprising consequences of not being assertive, and you'll learn to recognize the different behaviors of passive, aggressive, and assertive people.

Before you can begin to act assertively, you need to be able to identify your self-canceling thoughts and change your inner script. In this lesson, you'll learn why you have negative thoughts about yourself and what those could be. I'll share with you several techniques for replacing them with a positive inner script, including visualization, affirmations, storytelling, writing a journal, and creating a collage.

One of the ways non-assertive people lose power is through the use of certain types of language to either gain approval or avoid opposition, criticism or disagreement. Today, you'll learn how to recognize when you're doing this, and you'll discover some simple and painless adjustments to the way you say things that can help you avoid this problem.

Now that you've learned what takes your verbal power away, it's time to learn how to be verbally assertive. In this lesson, you'll learn how to make the four types of "I" statements to tell others about yourself, respond to others' requests, ask for cooperation and support, and confront another person. You'll also learn about techniques you can use to deal assertively with people who are angry with you or criticizing you.

Just as an actor perfects the nonverbal aspects of a role, you need to pay attention to the nonverbal nuances in your new assertiveness role. What you'll learn in this lesson is how to use eye contact, facial expressions, voice, body posture, gait and clothes to create an assertive image.

In order for you to be most effective, you need to be able to adjust your assertive message to the personality of the person with whom you're communicating and to deal with resistance. In this lesson, we'll study four behavior types and five sensory types to help you understand which assertive approach works best. You'll also find out how to identify resistance in others by observing verbal and nonverbal clues and various methods you can use to handle the resistance you may encounter.

Most people find it extremely challenging to be assertive with close family members. Today, you'll learn about a variety of statements family members use to manipulate you, and you'll discover the most effective ways to respond to each of them. You'll learn how to act assertively with your parents, siblings, and children to build more positive relationships.

In this lesson, you'll discover the four different emotional types of people and how they come together as mates. We'll explore the relationships these types have with each other, what problems tend to arise, and how the partners can treat each other differently in order to resolve any problems they may have. You'll also learn guidelines for working out issues with your partner in an assertive but loving manner.

Do you find it difficult to say no to a friend who asks a favor that you don't really want to do? Do you have difficulty having conversations in social situations? If so, you'll really learn a lot from this lesson. I'll show you how to use the assertiveness techniques you've been learning to deal with your friends in a calm but strong manner. Next, you'll learn techniques you can use to open up to other people and carry on interesting conversations.

You may approach the thought of being assertive at work with trepidation. However, when supervisors and employees treat each other with respect and act assertively with each other, both happiness on the job and productivity increase. In this lesson, you'll learn how to be assertive during job interviews as well as with your boss and subordinates, what to look for to see if your workplace encourages or discourages assertiveness, and how to advance assertiveness where you work.

Often, you encounter situations in which you deal with people as a consumer. Today, you'll learn how to be assertive with waiters, salespeople, government clerks, doctors, hospital employees, lawyers, and IRS agents. We'll also discuss how to be assertive in everyday situations, such as when a restaurant or movie theater is unbearably cold.

So far in this course, you've gained a wealth of knowledge about how to be assertive. You've learned skills and techniques to use with family and friends, as a consumer, and in the workplace and everyday situations. In this closing lesson, you'll learn some situations in which it's better to not be assertive, how to give and receive compliments, and how to be assertive in all parts of your life.

Vivian Harte

As a professor at two colleges for over 14 years, Vivian Harte taught students how to build and maintain successful teams. In the workplace, she helped teams create a city's strategic energy plan, write a state's recycling manual, organise and fac... Read more

Read Vivian Harte's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

What people are saying about our courses

Great course. I really learned a lot about myself, family and others. I learned many life lessons about becoming assertive with family, friends,and on the job. I really appreciate the information and I am applying it with great success to my life. I strongly recommend this class to anyone but especially to women of all ages. It's never too late to learn new tricks.

Verified Student

I found it very interesting of what type of person I was and definitely found this course very helpful and will help me to use this information to be an assertive person.

Verified Student

I have learned a lot from taking this course. I find myself becoming more assertive in my daily life. Thanks to this course, I feel that I am on the way to becoming a more confident person!

Verified Student

See More Reviews

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Be Assertive! you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Ready to get started?

Enrol Now