Browse All Live Event Calendar Course Calendar Is WDU For You? Success Stories FAQ

Getting Started in Writing

ESTELLE ERASMUS | TERRI VALENTINE

Getting Started in Writing

ESTELLE ERASMUS | G. MIKI HAYDEN

$379.99

12/05/2024 - 02/27/2025
with Terri Valentine

Enroll Now

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Don't let doubt or fear get the best of you—take a chance and learn how to start writing a book, novel, short story, memoir, or essay.

When you take this online writing course, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way.

During this course, you can expect to take an in-depth look at Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published by Estelle Erasmus. Draw upon advice from published authors and start your writing career today.

$379.99

12/05/2024 - 02/27/2025
with Terri Valentine

Enroll Now

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Don't let doubt or fear get the best of you—take a chance and learn how to start writing a book, novel, short story, memoir, or essay.

When you take this online writing course, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way.

During this course, you can expect to take an in-depth look at Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published by Estelle Erasmus. Draw upon advice from published authors and start your writing career today.

Course outline

Course outline

Each session includes required reading, a written lecture, and a writing assignment to turn in for personalized feedback from your instructor.

Meet the instructors

Estelle Erasmus

 

Estelle Erasmus, author of Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published, named a "Best Book for Writers" by Poets & Writers, is a professor of writing at New York University, the host of the Freelance Writing Direct podcast, a Contributing Editor for Writer's Digest, and is the final judge for the 2024 Writer's Digest personal essay contest. 
 
Her articles for the New York Times and The Washington Posthave gone globally viral. She has appeared on Good Morning America and has had her articles discussed on The View. She has also taught, coached, and mentored many writers who have gone on to be widely published. She received a Zibby Award for "Best Book for the Writer"; and a 2023 NYU School of Professional Studies Teaching Excellence Award, is an American Society of Journalists and Authors award winner, and was a cast member in the inaugural New York City production of the Listen to Your Mother storytelling show. Learn more at www.EstelleSErasmus.com (and receive a free pitching guide). Also, follow Estelle on Instagram, TikTok, and X, at EstelleSErasmus  and sign up for her Substack (of craft advice, stories and opportunities) at estelleserasmus.substack.com
View Website
Terri Valentine

The writing career of romance novelist Terri Valentine is truly a Cinderella story. An avid reader all of her life, she began writing her first historical romance in the summer of 1985 on an old Smith-Corona manual typewriter. Of course it had several keys that stuck, and invariably every time she made even minor changes the entire manuscript had to be completely retyped. In spite of such adversities, she believed in herself and finished that first valiant effort, and then went on to revise her manuscript several times before satisfied.

One year later, Terri submitted Sea Dream to publishers. After several rejections, good ones she was later to learn by the standards of the industry, she went on to sell her book. Since then, she has been under steady contract. To date, she has ten romance novels and a Christmas short story in publication. Sweet Paradise was nominated for Best Romance Adventure by Romantic Times in 1992. Louisiana Caress received a coveted K.I.S.S (Knight in Shining Silver) Award from Romantic Times in 1993. Sands of Time (1993), her first time travel romance, is set in the Middle East. In 1995, Storm Dancer was a single release title from Zebra, followed in 1997 by the release of Paradise Promised. At present she is under contract for two more historicals, and she is currently working on a high-concept romantic novel that her agent anxiously awaits. She has also written a screenplay that is in production rewrites.

Terri Valentine is WDU’s critique editor for children’s picture books. Customers have been extremely pleased with the feedback provided by Terri. Terri said, “Good fiction writing is good fiction writing. Through my experience, I’m able to ‘see’ what works in a novel as well as a picture book.”

“Most valuable to me is the unstinted assistance and shared knowledge given to me by other writers throughout my career. I would never published if it had not been for the help of one such writer who offered support and encouragement from start to finish of that first manuscript.” Following in her mentor footsteps, she has eagerly critiqued manuscripts and helped other beginning novelists learn the taxing craft of writing, many of whom have gone on to publish.