An OU course for aspiring writers

I did an online OU writing course a few years ago and then another on writing poetry.

I can recommend them both.

Of course they involve assessed assignments. Or at least mine did.

I did an OU Creative Writing course about three years ago. I love doing OU and got my first degree with them but I didn't enjoy this course. There was little face to face contact and about one third of the course was modern poetry which I don't have an ear for. Also OU courses have risen dramatically in price I couldn't justify spending that much money on one now.

Nor me and the commitment would worry me.

Since Mum died last year I've become a bit of a commitment-phobe. My mind is back in the laid-back 70s.

Quite happy to write rubbish though

I have heard that this course is VG but somehow I don't fancy it. I don't want to have to study things I'm just not interested in eg modern poetry. I think I learn more from just b*****y doing it! I've got helpful people to feedback on various drafts and I've learned so much from their comments. The old top tips don't change much either.

This particular course appears to be an online one and is free

I think this is actually a fiction writing course. I've never done a creative writing course myself. I'm a 'pantser' I'm afraid. I do set out with good intentions and write a plot outline and then the writing seems to develop a life of it's own.

But many would-be novelists have no idea how to plot, how to pace, how to write dialogue....the list is endless. So a writing course can be a good first step.

My criminology course was partly to give my brain cells a work-out and because I rather fancy having a change of genre and writing a crime novel.Also it's been a good way to pass a long French winter.

I did A215 (Creative Writing) and A363 (Advanced Creative Writing) as part of my BAHons in 2012 and 2013. Both were good courses, assessed by assignment. I have been writing for years but both these courses taught me a lot. It is a shame they are now so expensive but you can get a loan which has to be paid back when you earn over a certain amount. As this is unlikely to happen with a senior citizen the courses are, in effect, free-ish. You may not like the idea as it does sound a bit of a scam but the possibility is freely discussed on the OU student forums. I do wonder if there could be a claim on one's estate, though. Really not sure. Anyone know?

I signed up for the free course, thanks for posting I used to write all the time when I was younger, even had a few articles published. But then I kind of ran out of puff and life took over. I shall look forward to sharpening my pencil again.

Thanks absentgrandma. I'll have a look tomorrow.

Some years ago I did several psychology modules with the OU. The material, summer school, lectures and support were really good - I've heard from students at conventional universities that they receive much less support (which seems a bit crazy given the fees they have to pay now).