See What The Professionals Say!

Below you’ll find a selection of comments about our courses from professionals.

Comments about the:

Comprehensive Creative Writing course

Freelance Journalism course

Writing for Children course

Advanced Business English

 

A Professional Writer's opinion of the Comprehensive Creative Writing course:

“It’s so hard for new writers to know exactly where to start. They’re bombarded with all kinds of writing all around them and sometimes haven’t a clue about the kind of writing they want to do themselves, or the path they want to take. The Creative Writing course with its comprehensive and consistent advice covers all aspects of writing, thus clearing the confusion and encouraging the student to find the track to which their own voice and their own talents are most suited. The set assignments help to foster good attitudes towards self-discipline and give a kind of mock deadline perspective – good apprenticeship skills.

“The most difficult thing, for beginners, is knowing just how to mould brilliant ideas into workable material. It is sometimes extremely difficult to step away from the performance that happens inside the head and take a long, clear look at what one has actually written on paper. There has to be no room for misinterpretation but, often, the two presentations bear little resemblance to one another. New writers have difficulty observing this. They assume so much knowledge of plot, characters, structure etc or the ‘internal’ play that it is next to impossible for them to stand back in the role of editor/ producer and examine the words they have actually written as though seeing them for the first time. They miss many of the gaps and flaws which can become only too obvious on read-through or presentation.

“The Creative Writing course overcomes this difficulty by showing the student how to develop all of a play’s separate elements one by one and bring them together into a cohesive unit, so that each supports the others in energising the original concept.”

Irene Yates

Irene Yates is a full time writer who wears four different writing hats. She writes for stage and for radio, and has won many awards for her plays. She also writes educational books, both for teachers and for students, and articles for educational publications. Her third hat is as a writer of children’s stories and poems and her fourth is as a writer of articles and fiction for women's magazines. It has to be said that her first love is the stage and if she could choose who to be in her next life, it would be Henrik Ibsen!

 

An Editor and Publisher's opinion of the Freelance Journalism course:

“Journalism is a craft mastered by trial and error and it needs tremendous discipline if it is to earn you a decent living. But the expertise, the guidance and the sound common sense found on the pages of the Freelance Journalism course make it suitable for both the budding professional and the part-timer after pin money.

“At any level journalism is hugely enjoyable, opening unlikely doors and bringing you into contact with amazing people. It makes you more aware of the world around you and, as you develop news-gathering skills, you begin to realise that saleable stories lurk in the most unpromising places.

“By signing up to such an experienced organisation as STT, you will soon learn to avoid any pitfalls because you will be producing something of value, targeting the right publications and reaping the appropriate rewards.”

Priscilla Hodgson

Priscilla Hodgson is a former Women’s Editor of the Daily Mail and Features Editor of the Birmingham Post. As well as editing both newspapers and magazines, she has been a freelance contributor to major publications as diverse as The Sunday Times and The Sun. She is now head of a publishing company in North Wales.

A Children's Writer and Editor's opinion of the Writing for Children course:

“Writing for children requires the same basic skills, techniques and originality as writing for adults. If it’s important to you that you get published, it is vital to understand the current needs and trends of the marketplace so you know what publishers are looking for.

“This Writing for Children course will teach you all you need to know and help you achieve your goal.

“With a logical, progressive and very user-friendly approach, the novice writer is guided through the various techniques essential to the craft of writing for children. Each stage of the course is well illustrated with examples and exercises to reinforce the points learned, and there is no-nonsense advice about how to create and present your work to make it acceptable to a potential publisher.

“At all times the tone is professional, and the advice sensible, practical and comprehensive, taking into account the demands of a specialist market and the requirements of such a specific audience.

“Inspired by the success of J K Rowling or Philip Pullman, it’s easy for all of us to harbour secret dreams of instant success. But the truth is that it can only be achieved with committed application and practice under expert guidance - which this course provides in abundance.”

Jackie Andrews

Now a freelance children’s writer and editor, Jackie Andrews worked first as a librarian, then as a teacher of English, Art and Drama before spending five years with Kestrel Books as an editorial assistant/PA. She then became Editor in Chief for Scholastic’s children’s book club. She writes regular reports on submissions to The Writer’s Advice Centre for Children’s Books and provides editorial support and approvals for the publishing of Ragdoll’s licensed characters. Jackie is currently working on her own novel for teenagers.

A personnel and training specialist's opinion of the Advanced Business English course:

“The ability to write effectively is essential for anyone who wishes to succeed. Individuals who can argue their case in clear and concise English will always have an advantage over those who cannot. The Advanced Business English course is an excellent and practical programme for anyone who wants to write better and is determined to succeed.”

Andrew Goodliffe.

Andrew has held senior management positions in personnel and training with Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, Smedley – H P Foods Limited and John Dickinson and Company Limited.