Beginner's guide to writing non-fiction

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Beginner's guide to writing non-fiction

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 · 10am - 5pm GMT

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

Don’t know where to start with a non-fiction book? Welcome to square one.

No matter how much expertise you have to share, writing can be a daunting task if you don't know where to start. This beginner-level course will make light work of getting your book project or blog of the back burner and onto the hotplate.

Bestselling author and mentor Cathy Presland introduces the basics and best practice of writing non-fiction. Through a series of workshops and discussions, you'll learn how to engage with an audience, how to turn your knowledge into a compelling story, and how to build skills and confidence as a writer. This practical course will provide you with the tools and techniques to become a better and more productive writer, and make writer's block and procrastination a thing of the past. You'll learn how to build writing time into your routine, and tricks to kickstart your creativity so you can make the most of it. You'll finish the course with an invaluable capsule kit of exercises to keep the words flowing.

This course is for you if...

  • You have translatable expertise in your career, business or hobby but are not primarily a writer
  • You want to explore a topic of special interest more fully through a book or blog, but don't know where to start

Course description

This course features a mix of formal tuition, practical exercises, and feedback to establish the fundamentals of good non-fiction writing, including time management, confidence building, and how to communicate with an audience. Topics covered on the day include:

  • The essential building blocks of great how-to writing
  • Brevity: why less can be more when you are writing non-fiction
  • What keeps readers interested and how to keep them reading
  • The confidence toolkit: how to banish writer's block forever
  • Finding your voice: establishing a personal writing style
  • Writing for busy people: how to manage your day so the writing gets done

Tutor profile

Cathy Presland is the bestselling author of 'Write! Stop Waiting, Start Writing', and a mentor to entrepreneurs and professionals who want to write non-fiction books, whether to help reach more people, raise their credibility or spread their message. Cathy has taught thousands of people through her highly-regarded online and offline training programmes on writing and self-publishing.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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