Home study course - worth it or waste of money?

Miffi_2

This may not be the right place post this, but this where my MSE friends are and don't know where else to stick it!

I love writing, I work in a press office and the best part is putting together copy etc but it doesn't satisfy me enough. Apart from stuff for my job I've never had anything published as I know freelance writing is fiercely competitive and not entirely sure whether my skills and talent is good enough.

My dream is to write a book (have an idea but not got down to putting anything on paper), and to see my work published.

Anyway, I came across an advert for https://www.writersbureau.com - it is a home study type course and I am thinking that it may help me on my way to be a proper writer.

The thing is it costs, as everything does, and before I did anything about it, I wondered what you thought? I know I should be saving money and perhaps not shelling out on home study courses, but this might be just what I've been looking for. There aren't any writing courses in my area at the moment and a home study option would suit me better.

Anyway, thanks in advance...

*zippy*

Hi Miffi

I'm thinking about doing a home study course, not writing, I need the qualification, but I too am very wary, you just don'y know what you are going to get for your money.

I had a look on Amazon and put in how to write a book and two have come up with good reviews

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes Jack M Bickham £6.49

How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (How to Write a Damn Good Novel) (Hardcover) James N Frey £9.41

Probably loads if you search around and try your library, unless someone is marking your work and giving you personal tips, you should be able to get the same information alot cheaper.

Good Luck

Seraphim

What about the OU courses? At least you know they are reputable?
They don't count as a qualification on their own, but you can use them to build towards various qualifications ranging from certificates to degrees. The courses are quite short, and have had a lot of positve feedback from the students who have tried them?

Some of the ones the OU offer:
Start Writing Fiction: http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02A174
Creative writing: http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02A215
Start Writing Poetry: http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02A175
Start Writing for the Internet: http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C02A171

Admitedly more expensive than buying a book, it can help because there are dedicated writer's forums within the OU, and also you get feedback and critique on your work which you won't get from buying a book on it's own

MoneyMagnet

Miffi, I did the Writer's Bureau course about 10 years ago. It might have changed a bit in the meantime, although probably not by a huge amount. I found the materials to be useful, and the service good, but quite honestly, if you're interested in developing your writing skills, you can gain the same knowledge & save a lot of money by reading some good books on the subject (and there are lots of free articles & other writers resources online too) & practising a lot.

The value of doing a correspondence course like this is that you get personalised feedback from an experienced writer (your tutor) which can be motivational, and all the material is laid out in a very systematic way, so you can develop your skills from the ground up (you're kind of spoon-fed really!), but if this isn't essential to you, I don't think that there's much in it that you can't get for a lower price elsewhere.

I'm not trying to put you off - it's a decent course, and might be perfect for you, but IMO it won't guarantee success, and you can become successful without it.

Biddyrolo

I started the writers bureau course about 10 years ago but gave up after my Dad died and I had to help my Mum sort everything out and I never got back into it. The course encourages you to write letters to magazines where you get paid if they are published, you then go on to articles and it explains how to research your markets. At the same time you are also writing and submitting work for *marking* by an expert who will tell you if it is up to standard. I didn't get as far as the fiction writing part. I did make some money from letters and tips. It cost £200 then and I suppose you're really paying for having your work looked at. it is possible to make the initial outlay back especially if you have access to small children and the funny things they say.Zippy is right though the info can be accessed more cheaply (is there a local writers group for instance).

o_Looby_o

I have done a few home study courses. Aromatherapy, accupressure and accupuncture. I for mine through a company called BSY Group. They were not that expensive, I think courses range from about £195.00 to £350.00 each.

They sent me some information yesterday - Promotional stuff, and I know they are doing 2 for the price of 1 on their courses, plus £20.00 off as well (+ free gift)

They did this when I joined so I ended up paying £260 for 2 courses. Which I think is a bargain!

They also offer interest free if you want to pay monthly.

I am not sure if they would offer the type of courses you would like to do, but they have a huge range! Seriously HUGE! so might be worth giving it a look?

Bambywamby

Hi there

As a budding Author and Poet I was interested in having an expert opinion cast over my work as well as getting more practise in the craft.

I bought the Writers Bureau course - completed about 2 assignments and got bored. I found it very tedious and the writing tasks set were like those you would ask a young school child to complete as homework.
The material that comes with the course is intersting enough but it is a big fat waste of money.

Books I found alot more informative and interesting were -

On Writing by Stephen King - part autobiography & part advice for budding writers. Fantastic book!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel - fantastic tips and information on drafts, storylines, character building, grammar, what publishers are looking for, who to approach etc

And of course the writers bible - Writer's Handbook by Barry turner
Covers all publications, magazines, publishing houses, agents etc in the Uk & Abroad. It tells you who wants what, who to send your work to and how to present it.

All three can be bought from Amazon.

Good luck xx
:T

FrugalJo

Miffi
I have a relative that's just finished the creative writing OU course, she can't recommend it highly enough !
Jo

lily_the_pink

There are loads of on-line communties that provide support groups for this sort of thing - free of charge.

UCLA (University Collega Los Angeles - reputable University in the USA not one of these made up places that people buy degrees from) does online courses - the introduction to creative writings costs $325. The fiction ones are $525. Not cheap but course numbers limited and there is a structure and on-line tutorials/workshops. They do non-fiction too.http://www.uclaextension.edu/

re Writers Bureau - I am sure these are the same people that a school friend of mine (so we are talking 20 years ago) asked for information from. They kept sending out info and more info and more info - lowering the price each time. She was very suspicious of this so wisely decided to keep hold of her money (14 year olds have more sense than we give them credit for).

You local authority may well do some sort of writing course. NUJ will have info on approved journalistic type courses. I would start there rather than the Writers Bureau.

Talheedin

I did some of the Start Writing courses (essay writing, Poetry and creative writing) with the OU last year and they were really good. All of them are online and there is plenty of access to the tutors and other students via the message boards and email. At the time they cost around £95 and lasted about 12 weeks each. They are an excellent introduction (or referesher) into higher education and will count towards your OU degree if you want to continue with it.

You can sometimes find the course notes on EBay if you don't fancy doing the course. I found them very good.

The one thing they do stress is that writers write and that you should write every day. I think that this is more important than spending loads on a course and as Zippy said you can get books from the library to give you tips and techniques.

Good luck

Talheedin

pounds_and_pensive

I went through a brief 'I want to be a writer' phase, but thought I'd just do it rather than try to gain some kind of qualification saying I was capable of it (too skint/ tight-fisted to study for one). My theory was that Those With The Power To Publish would in effect be marking my work - if it was printed, it was adequate, and if it wasn't printed then it wasn't. I'm definitely not a fiction writer so didn't even go there, but eventually managed to get a piece published in an internet magazine. Boosted by this success... I promptly lost interest.

I think there are a lot of people who spend money on courses only to find that the subject doesn't interest them as much as another one suddenly does, while there are other people who've never been near a course in their lives, but might possibly know more about a subject than some of those pocketing the cash to teach it. Courses can be helpful, some more than others, but not at all necessary to your success.