Writers' Development
This course originates from requests from aspirant writers who are not able to attend workshops. Or who want the discipline and companionship of a course. I am running Write Write Write, with Elma Pollard, my partner and fellow editor and writing coach.
As she is bilingual, you can write in either Afrikaans or English. We have had folk from as far afeld as Germany and the Middle East join us.
Elma Pollard, whose weekly earth column in the Bolander, is getting much acclaim, facilitates most of this course. There have been requests for follow-up courses so Elma has created wwwfollow1. Want to craft stories? New intake every month. Elma combines life and writing coaching - an enabling process.
Call her: 084 868 2908
Here are comments from course members:
"I am amazed at how quickly the benefits of this course have kicked in to my life and work. And I have all of you to thank. Mindful of how this course focuses mainly on drawing out what is already there within us, and learning from each other, I realized that each of us has our own story to tell."
"The experience of the course has brought me into a much greater awareness and acceptance of the personal past. My perspectives are sharpened and at the same time softened. It has brought me into a much stronger sense of ‘alive and present.’ I pulsate with the sense of BEING."
This email course is based on my book, The Writer's Voice. Participants will be linked to and support each other through e-mail and a web page. For four months (seventeen weeks) you will be part of a virtual writing community of 10 -14 folk, submit assignments and resubmit in a feedback loop, which includes group input. If the group larger than 10, we divide into two sub groups for more intimate contact.
There is no assessment entry. Everybody is welcome. As Gertrude Stein says, "Writing is beginning... always beginning." Writing is about a beginner's mind. People find their own level. Everybody learns from everybody. Writing is not a talent. It is an acquired skill. It rises from that part of you where writing lives, connecting to that and then engaging the discipline.
Assignments
There will be four assignments of up to 1500 words each. Each assignment will be resubmitted, i.e. one assignment and one resubmission per month. Assignments will be selected from the text, The Writer’s Voice. We will guide your selection. When you sign up we will give you a timetable.
Reading a Novel
There is a saying, “You can be a reader without being a writer. But you cannot be a writer without being a reader.” We will be asking you to respond to the works of other writers i.e. picking up writing through osmosis.
Course Details
Duration - 17 weeks
Text - The Writer’s Voice – A Workbook for Writers in Africa
Language - English and/or Afrikaans
Group size - six to eight in each sub group (min and max)
Genres - fiction/ life story/ poetry
Cost - R2950
(R1150 at registration plus 3 x R600 instalments.)
Account information for payments:
Dr R D Haarhoff
Standard Bank
current acc 0828 59 248
George branch code 05 02 14 42
The cost includes:
- a copy of the text The Writer’s Voice (reduction of R150 if you have the book)
- a book, Like Shaking Hands with God - a conversation between two writers
- personal feedback on four assignments
- personal feedback on second drafts, after responding to comments (tutor and group)
- developing creating and editing skills in relation to your work and to the work of other participants
- being part of a supportive writing community with access to the group’s texts and tutor’s comments
- four newsletters with writing tips and feedback
- telephone support (a call each month)
- a conversation around writing
- a certificate of completion
Where to from here? Sign up now!
and respond to the Bio Questionnaire
We welcome any questions and suggestions.
