In a post last month I said I had signed up to a free eight week course by Future Learn, a part of the Open University distance learning package. The course was Start Writing Fiction. I know I’m a bit past the starting blocks but I wanted to see if there were any nuggets of gold within the course that I could pick up or actual scaffolding type information that I didn’t know, after all, I am self taught.
We have just started week four and I’ve completed week two, but don’t worry about that if you decide to do it yourself. As you go along you will see there are plenty of people at the same stage as you by the timings of the comments left on each task. There is also no tutor input as far as I can see. But what do you expect for a free course. You work your way through tasks, listen to audio clips of published authors, read snippets of work from published novels relevant to the area you are working on and do what is requested. Any feedback is provided by your fellow students doing the course. I expect there is more interaction if you are up front and doing it as the course timings dictate, but life has been getting in the way a bit and I do hope to catch up.
The first week was all about where writers get their inspiration from. So, for us, where we would or could get our inspiration from. The course suggested we carry a notebook with us at all times and observe the world around us, specifically the people around us and imagine the stories that come from seeing the detail in those people. It also suggested mixing real life and fiction and seeing what we came up with. That was an interesting exercise. At the time I was sitting in a hotel room waiting for my daughter as she went for an interview assessment, so my only factual element in my piece was that I was in a hotel room. I’m not sure what they thought of that piece of writing! It did show how a story can be jump started though.
Next week I’ll do a run through of week two. And apologies for the bland no image post, WordPress wouldn’t let me upload a single image today….
Have you thought about doing a short free course? They do some really interesting ones, not just writing related ones.
louisevoss1 says
I didn’t know they did free courses – will check it out, thanks!
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a great resource. And just gives you a great taster. Anything catch your eye Louise?
CrimeReaderBlog says
Thanks Rebecca – I had no idea the OU offered so many resources.
Rebecca Bradley says
I know. They seem to do more and more every time I look. Anything catch your eye? 🙂
CrimeReaderBlog says
Browsing the arts/literature ones, looking for something around critiquing rather than writing – never studied Eng Lit at school & it’s always felt like a gap.
Rebecca Bradley says
Have you found anything?
CrimeReaderBlog says
There’s one called Approaching Prose Fiction – might give it a try, though it’s probably more academic thzn I’m after.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I’ve not taken a course on writing but I did on guitar playing when I first began.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’d keep doing courses if I had the time and money. I love learning.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – This sounds like a really interesting course! I think that no matter how experienced a writer is, there’s still lots of opportunity to learn more…
Rebecca Bradley says
Exactly Margot. It is interesting. I’m hoping to be able to put a bit more time into it this week.
Jacqui Murray says
I’m looking forward to seeing what you get out of the class. I worry about no instruction weigh-in. That would be nice. How much time does it take each week?
Rebecca Bradley says
Its supposed to take three hours a week. I think you can put in as much or as little as you want. I think for a free course you can’t really expect too much extra other than the course itself. It is interesting though.