Bizcommunity, Booknews SA, 17 September 2009- The electronic era has taken all forms of distance learning to a new level of convenience and comfort through the quick and easy medium of email. Gone are the days of rushing to the post office with your next assignment stuffed in an envelope, hoping you will make it to the front of the queue before lunch. These days it is a matter of attaching your document and hitting “send” whenever you’re ready. This method has proven particularly effective for aspiring authors who have taken up one of HeadSpark’s popular creative writing e-learning solutions.
“One of the key points of difference with our e-correspondence courses is the important issue of personal attention and professional feedback on your writing assignments,” says Morné Malan, HeadSpark’s founder and chief facilitator. “We take this aspect very seriously. Learning theory and facts is one thing, but it is the individual attention you get as a developing author – the personal mentoring and the encouragement – that becomes an important contributing factor to your publishing success.” Malan is himself a bilingually published author who is to be awarded his PhD in English Literature in November this year. He is also the chief facilitator of HeadSpark’s e-correspondence courses, to which he lends the full weight of his experience as author, critical reader and professional writer and editor.
But it is not only Malan who believes in the effectiveness of HeadSpark’s approach to e-learning. Barbara Peacock recently completed HeadSpark Novels Online – an e-correspondence course on how to write a publishable novel. “I’ve written stories for many years, and toyed with the idea of writing a novel for almost as long, but I’ve always doubted my abilities. HeadSpark’s course has been both a validation and a unique learning experience for me. I’ve learned that I do indeed have the ability to tell a story, and from this course I’ve learned how to make my writing the best it can be.”
Thys du Preez from Stilfontein, who completed HeadSpark’s Afrikaans e-correspondence course on short stories, Kortpad, says: “Even after the first two exercises I knew that I hadn’t wasted my time and money. The annotated and edited work I received back was a surprise! Straightforward and honest commentary – the only kind that helps. I can certainly recommend this course.”
Chanelle Vermeulen did a HeadSpark Shortcuts short story course and had the following to say about Malan: “Morné is an inspiring course facilitator. He knows the process with its pitfalls and rewards and makes it look effortless; but he also emphasises the hard work all writers have to do.” Mariette Postma from Centurion agrees: “I would like to congratulate Morné on his balanced, yet sensitive and spot-on approach to commentary. His criticism is given in a positive, inspiring manner that does not belittle in any way. I think more people like him could change our literary scene irrevocably.”
HeadSpark’s bilingual creative writing e-courses, reading and feedback services, and editing and proofreading services are effective, professional and affordable:
e-Correspendence Courses:
HeadSpark Novels Online: Write and publish a book. An e-course in four modules.
HeadSpark Fiksie Aanlyn: Skryf en publiseer ’n boek. ’n e-Kursus in vier modules.
HeadSpark Shortcuts: Write and publish a short story. An e-course in two modules.
HeadSpark Kortpad: Skryf en publiseer ’n boek. ’n e-Kursus in twee modules.
Fiction Editing: Give your manuscript a professional polish. An e-course in two modules.
Selling Your Novel: The dos and don’ts of getting published. An e-course in one module.
To the Letter: English language refresher and basic business writing. An e-course in two modules.
Professional services:
The Book Doctor’s Report and Recommendation: A seven-to-eight page, comprehensive report on your manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses and commercial viability, and a letter of independent recommendation to publishers if we think the work is immediately eligible.
Editing and proofreading: Affordable, professional and quick. Why pay a per-page fortune? Let us prepare a customised quotation based on the level en extent of the refinement necessary on your manuscript and help you increase your chances of getting published.
Consult the Book Doctor: Individualised one-on-one sessions with a writing coach on your manuscript, ideas or writing challenges.
To find more information on these and other services and workshops offered by HeadSpark, go to www.headspark.co.za. You may also send an e-mail to morne@headspark.co.za or phone Morné Malan directly at 083 454 4442.
