Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 345
Loc: North Buckinghamshire
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With more time on my hands I'm thinking about doing a distance learning creative writing course that isn't focused on getting you published. I hear the OU courses are pretty good - any guidance?
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aggipanthus
member
Reged: 05/04/2006
Posts: 179
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The courses with the LSJ are brilliant, but expensive.
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AlexP
member
Reged: 28/12/2007
Posts: 474
Loc: Southampton
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I think it was flutterfly who said that she had done the OU creative writing course and had enjoyed it - and said that it didn't concentrate on getting you published. I am not sure what the fees are like. I'd be interested in doing something like this.
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issi
member
Reged: 30/09/2007
Posts: 2425
Loc: Surrey
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I did a postal writing course around 25 years ago. I paid all the fee up front and was sent a ring binder with my first lesson in it and several books on different aspects of writing. I managed to send in two assignments and they were sent back with full criticism. I did learn something from it in those early stages. I found the work hard at the time and stopped quite early. Looking back I found it to be very informative and very helpful. I wish I had stuck with it. I remember I had a very full life at the time and was too exhausted to continue but if you can spend a few hours on it every week you have to come out knowing more about writing than before you went in.
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 345
Loc: North Buckinghamshire
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I have paid and abandoned a couple of courses in the past, mainly because they had the 'identify your intended publication and then write something to fit' approach. I wanted to write better first... the OU courses sound as though they might meet the need but it would be good to hear from anyone who has done one or all...
Has anyone joined a writers group? Was it/has it been helpful?
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Barney
member
Reged: 01/04/2008
Posts: 498
Loc: Northumberland
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Hi Ashbee
I've been in a writers group and its benefit was mixed. I think it depends on the standards/aspirations of those involved. My opinion.
I am currently doing an online course with Gotham writers based in New York and have to say I've learnt a lot. Haven't any experience of the OU writing course but the BA course I did with them some years ago was very good. I didn't find college of the arts to my liking - but perhaps it was my mindset.
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Ashbee
member
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 345
Loc: North Buckinghamshire
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Hi Barney
I've not heard of the Gotham Writers - tell me more...
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Barney
member
Reged: 01/04/2008
Posts: 498
Loc: Northumberland
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Hi Ashbee
Try www.writingclasses.com
You should find quite a bit of info there - hope that helps.
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Flutterfly
member
Reged: 02/07/2008
Posts: 38
Loc: France
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Yes it was me! I really enjoyed the course, the fees are around 695 GBP and you can pay in instalments if you want to. There were 7 marked and very helpfully criticised assignments. The course was based on fiction, life writing and poetry. The next level course concentrates on film, plays and radio, which personally I find less appealing, so will not be doing it.
The best thing for me was that the course gave me an excuse to write and enjoy it, without feeling guilty about all the other things I should be doing instead. There always seems to be so much else to do, and it was the only way I have ever found of actually saying no, and losing myself in the pleasure of writing, doing something for myself.
It must be a woman thing that I only feel as if I am 'allowed' to relax and enjoy when everything else is dealt with, the trouble is, it never is, and so I don't get to it nearly as often as I would like.
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Chatelaine
member
Reged: 23/08/2007
Posts: 2321
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Just had a look at the OU Creative Writing Course..... sounds great..... but OMG the price!!!!
£610 for the UK, which when paid in instalments is bearable, but when you live in Continental Europe the price is more than twice that - if I remember correctly, see, I am still in shock!, is £1,480-oo!!!!!!  
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moxy
member
Reged: 26/01/2008
Posts: 28
Loc: Denbighshire
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Hi,
Just seen you are considering doing the Creative writing course with the OU.
I did this a couple of years ago - and THOROUGHLY ENJOYED it.
The tutor was brilliant, the course content and presentation was excellent and I found the work challenging.
I had to attend two/three tutorials at a local college - one day at a time. Very good - from a learning point of view as well as an opportunity to meet the tutor and the other students. Great. You might have to log on to an online tutorial - feasible as I have and am doing for another course with the OU.
I can't fault the OU in any way and found the experiences of the creative writing and the management course very worthwhile and enjoyable.
I would suggest that you do not hesitate and go for it, despite the price, and ENJOY!
Best wishes,
Moxy!
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Flutterfly
member
Reged: 02/07/2008
Posts: 38
Loc: France
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Hi Chatelaine
It is true we did still have a UK address when I did the course, which is where the books were sent, however, apart from that, the entire course and assignments and everything was online. I was actually in the USA for most of it, and I got my daughter to post the books to me. Do you have anyone who could do that for you so that the cost is less for you.
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Chatelaine
member
Reged: 23/08/2007
Posts: 2321
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Hi,
I think I will contact the OU and query about that price..... With the course being entirely online, and some books being supplied by post, I do wonder Flutterfly, why they charge over double their UK price just because you live on the Continent???? I sincerely hope that it is a typo...... FAiling that, it is extortion!!! I think I now would have to count on one or some of my forum friends to help me out......
Moxy I'd love to do that course, or a good inspirational writing course, but the financial element paired with my current uncertainty about time (because of that shop.....) both weigh heavily.
Also now I am suffering doubts...... as I already aired under Your Lives about the shop to which I committed myself to starting.... and with it now too comes my deep desire to write again, certainly now that I have "excorcised" that energy vampire "friend" from my life...... and I wonder??? Which do I want more....??? Writing or antiques??? And if I do both how will I manage?? I have to consider my home nad pets and garden too..... so much to do still here too! I refuse to live in a tip!!! My home life is vastly important to me, and writing would be ideal as it would keep me happily at home..... Bliss!! 
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