Unlock Your Full Writing Potential with this
One-on-One Creative Writing Course
Master writing techniques for crafting novels, shorts stories and magazine articles
By the time you’ve finished you’ll know what’s required to publish short stories and magazine articles. You’ll even understand why Hollywood’s films are as successful as they are, because of that all-important story structure, which will greatly assist in the composition of your novel or screenplay. Never let anyone tell you otherwise, it’s the STORY that is all-important.
And, that’s only the beginning. Among many other things, we’ll be looking at:
To cover everything you need to agree to work hard. I will work just as hard to help you. However, I promise you, it will be a lot of fun too.
Your Swag Bag
Launch Your Writing Career
Learn the skills you need to begin your writing journey
and earn extra income
Just think. In no time at all you could be on the first rung of the ladder to being published and earning additional income. I hope to welcome you aboard Judy’s Online Writing Course.
The course is run entirely via e-mail, to allow for times when you might be very busy or be out of town. Whether you return an assignment within one week or three is your decision. I’d rather you took your time and produced your best work.
I had concerns, initially, that a course would merely lend itself toward structure but this is just not the case. You have given me wings in that you have shown me which aspects of my writing need work and conscious effort and care.”
Overview of the Course
Start whenever you’re ready. Applications are open all year.
COURSE FEE
Price inclusive of VAT.
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
Each lesson has +-14 pages of valuable notes.
COURSE DURATION
Up to you – work at your own pace.
R5,500
6
12 Months
START ANYTIME
There is no set date. You and I work on a one-on-one basis.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A reasonable grasp of the English language. (E.g. Do not feel intimidated by not having a degree.) I’ll let you in on a secret. Some of my best students have been housewives and some who were not so good have been university lecturers. It seems housewives sometimes have better stories — so take heart.
Writing is not a romantic profession, it’s hard work but the satisfaction of seeing your name in print makes it all worthwhile.
Your Course Tutor
Judy Barnes
I love variety so as well as being a freelance writer for magazines, my diverse interests led me to write feature articles on subjects ranging from Female Firefighters and African Traditional Healing versus Western Medicine to executive management profiles and consumer durables such as Nestlé, Kelloggs, Vodacom, MTN, as well as the safety of breast implants and the future of South Africa’s youth in filmmaking.
I became a scriptwriter writing documentaries for television, wildlife programs for radio, and corporate videos for giants such as Siemens, First National Bank, BAC (Business Against Crime), and Anglo American among others. I have attended lectures with some of the biggest names in scriptwriting such as Alby James (UK), Humphrey Barclay (UK), John Cundill (Australia – formerly RSA), Linda Aronson, and Linda Seger (USA).
Having had a background in theatre in Australia, it was perhaps a natural progression for me to write play scripts for Children’s and Industrial Theatre in South Africa.
I also served as a cross-media writer for the South African Big Brother 1 and 2, where the ability to report speedily was crucial.
Course Content
Learning which kind of writer you are.
How to mine stories when your mind is a blank.
Writing ‘short’ and writing ‘long’.
How painting pictures and listening to symphonies has everything to do with writing. Huh? It’s true.
Plot and how it differs from Story.
Characterisation: The good, the bad and the Cardboard Cut-outs.
How ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling’ can make your story come alive.
Why characters’ names matter.
When dialogue is superior to exposition.
Why Hollywood movie scripts are written and rewritten, on average, 30 times; and what you can learn from them for writing your novel.
That vital ‘Back Story’ and that equally vital story structure.
What does a Features’ Editor mean when he/she asks you what your ‘angle’ or your ‘hook’ is?
A magazine’s style and why you’d be wise to check it out BEFORE you write for them.
You mean I must count the words? The reality of being professional in your work.
Why writing your masterpiece before speaking to a publisher is a dumb move.
Writer’s Block and how to defog your brain.
The correct way to present a manuscript for publication.
Deadlines / Kill fees / Competitions.
Complete this Application Form to Enrol on Judy’s One-on-One Writing Course
I will send you a confirmation email & invoice within 24 hours.
*If you have any technical difficulties with your submission please contact the Admin and we’ll help you.
Answers to Your Questions
If You Have More Questions
Let me know if you have any other questions or if you need any more information.
As an amateur writer I value the in-depth way Judy goes through my work, engaging with me personally, giving me direct and frank feedback on line. I have learnt important information about the structure and flow of a piece, be it a short story or novel. She has grown my awareness of character development and of not introducing irrelevant information into my story.
As a professional writer she has no illusions about the “romance” of writing and encourages you to focus and work hard. Her pertinent and no-nonsense comments only have kindness at their core, wanting to bring out the very best in one’s writing.
Judy’s course does allow for the inevitable interruptions of life, letting you pick up where you left off, reducing the stress of the process. If you are looking to improve and up-skill you writing craft, I highly recommend this course.”