Online and Remote Learning

If you're in the novel stream of the Certificate in Creative Writing, this workshop is the second step. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the novel form and have the beginning of your novel critiqued by your instructor and your peers. Each class will focus on excerpts from one or two works-in-progress. Each class will also discuss at least one significant aspect of the novel-writing process, such as beginnings, endings, language, setting and characters. Get constructive criticism that can help improve your work-in-progress. Understand the structure and method of novel writing. Revise and polish sections of your novel based on feedback.

This course is the first step in the screenwriting stream of the Certificate in Creative Writing. Whether you've already started a screenplay or you're developing a story for film, you'll learn the key elements of screenwriting, including story, character, plot, scene, structure and dialogue. This engaging course also includes screenings and writing exercises. Understand the essential elements of screenwriting.Know how to analyze screenplay structure.Format a script for a short film.

If you've already taken 1709 - Screenwriting: Introduction, this hands-on workshop gives you your chance to begin writing your great screenplay. The group will explore the interplay between screenwriting, directing, acting and editing. You'll be able to focus on your story in a supportive environment and work out what it needs to succeed. Writing exercises will help you develop your work-in-progress - whether an outline, a draft or something in-between - to emerge with a synopsis and key scenes for a feature. Polish your synopsis and write key scenes for your feature script. Get feedback from your peers and instructor on your work-in-progress - and give feedback to others. Information on the business of screenwriting, revision strategies, and suggestions for next steps.

This course is the second step in the short fiction stream of the Certificate in Creative Writing. It's a workshop for budding writers with short stories to share and improve. Class time is split between instruction on the basic elements of fiction - plot, character, point of view and language - and short, timed exercises that summon inspiration and cut through writer's block. You'll get lots of focused, constructive feedback on your writing in a friendly and supportive environment and emerge with two polished stories. Understand the basic elements of fiction. Use skills and techniques to unlock creativity and cut through writer's block. Analyze short fiction constructively. Incorporate constructive feedback into your own work.

Whether you're working on something traditional or hard-boiled, a thriller or police procedural, this course will help you develop a compelling opening to your book. You'll deepen your knowledge of the genre and accelerate your reading. Weekly discussions and assignments will focus on the hero's journey, antagonists and other characters, point-of-view, dialogue, setting, plot, outlining, revision and more. Your first chapter will be reviewed in a supportive, constructive way by your instructor and your peers. Understand what makes a good mystery or suspense novel - and what it takes to write one. Adopt practical techniques to research, outline and draft a story. Emerge with the opening chapter of a book and a proposed outline for further development. Gain a better idea of what agents and publishers want.

This course is the first step in the children's writing stream of the Certificate in Creative Writing. You'll explore the vibrant world of children's literature, absorb basic literary technique and emerge with a draft of a picture book, story or opening chapter. You'll meet a community of writers working in your genre and pick up advanced tips on writing picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels and young adult fiction. There will also be a primer on how to get published. Understand the structure and techniques of telling stories for children.Know trends and innovations in Canadian children's literature.Understand the publishing process.Complete a draft of a picture book or early reader, or the opening chapter of a middle grade or young adult novel.

Creating a good picture book requires the storytelling ability of a novelist and the attention to language of a poet. In this second-level course, you'll learn from an award-winning author, share your work with other participants, and emerge with drafts of two or three picture book manuscripts. Many great picture book examples will be used. You will write in both traditional and original forms, learn how to avoid common mistakes, and develop a deeper understanding of how words and pictures can combine into a perfect whole. Revising and editing as well as submitting your work to publishers will be discussed. Identify and create compelling stories that appeal to child readers. Know how to tell an engaging story in a few words. Understand the balance between words and pictures. Emerge with the polished draft of your own picture book. Structure a text to publishers' standards.

Contemporary romantic-comedy is having a renaissance in today's book marketplace, and the genre has never been more widely read. From bestselling authors like Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, Anna Todd, and Sophie Kinsella, to BookTok sensations like Colleen Hoover, there are stories for any reader from eighteen to eighty. Through workshops and discussion, writers will explore what makes rom-com tick--whether that's playing with tropes, ensuring your meet-cute sings, creating tension on the page, or grappling with your happily ever after. Learners will finish the course with one fully polished chapter and a complete outline for further development down the line.   Learn the conventions of Contemporary Romantic Comedy. A finished outline to work on later. A polished chapter of your novel. Receive feedback on your writing. Join a community of writers interested in writing Contemporary Rom-Com.

This course is designed to help you create high-quality, long-form journalism for newspapers and magazines, both traditional and digital. You'll acquire the tools to craft compelling feature-length articles and learn how to pitch your best ideas. Learn how to interview subjects, structure a narrative and self-edit. Classes will mix short lectures on various aspects of writing with group discussions and workshops that provide constructive feedback. With real-life examples, the course will show you how to turn your successful magazine piece into a sellable book proposal.  Know how to write successfully for the periodical industry. Understand the differences between newspaper and magazine features. Understand the structure and essential elements of a compelling feature story. Know the start-to-finish steps for pitching and writing a feature.

Most authors get book deals only after they’ve made contacts in the publishing industry, have gotten short pieces published in reputable magazines, and/or have won writing contests. In this course, you’ll how learn how to network with gatekeepers in traditional publishing, how and where to submit short pieces of writing, which writing contests to enter, how to start building an audience for your work, how to decide if self-publishing is right for you, how to apply for grants, and how to query agents and editors. By the end of the course, you will have an overview of how the publishing business works and a roadmap for your own path to publication. Explore well-respected literary magazines and writing contests. Learn to write cover letters, query letters, grant applications, and proposals. Find out about large and independent presses, including pros and cons of each. Discover how to build relationships with your audience and with publishing gatekeepers. Investigate the world of self-publishing, including hybrid and assisted self-publishing companies.