Jane Elmor
I am a novelist based in the South West UK and an Associate Lecturer with the Open University, currently teaching on the MA in Creative Writing.
Location South West UK
Activity
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Well done – you’ve reached the last week of Start Writing Fiction!
Time to submit your final story. The course will close at the end of this week, so do submit in time to get some reviews. If you’ve already submitted, why not practice your reviewing and critiquing skills by doing one more peer review? It can only help your own writing.
How did you get on... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi all –
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial...
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Jane Elmor replied to Saray Parra
Hi Saray -
Yes, it can be very difficult to know what to write about! I hope you find the prompts on this course helpful in getting you started. It's best not to think or worry about it too much before you start - this can make you feel blocked. Just begin! Often we have to write for a while before we feel inspired or find something that interests us. It's... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Mirja -
No, this course is based around peer feedback, so do share your responses to the exercises in the comments sections of the steps, and read and respond to others.
In some weeks there are opportunities to submit your work into the system, which is automatically assigned to individual readers for feedback. Both giving and receiving feedback is so... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week!
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into stories.
Remember to check out the FAQs and guides to using FutureLearn at the bottom of each...
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hello, and welcome to Week 2!
We hope you enjoy this week's focus on establishing the writing habit.
Remember - people will be working at different speeds, so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there. You can be sure that there will be more people coming along behind you.
As I said last week – check out the FAQs... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Congratulations on completing Start Writing Fiction! We hope you have enjoyed the course. It’s wonderful to read your comments about what you’ve gained for your writing!
Don’t forget our Open University ‘taking it further’ page where you’ll find free resources - http://www.open.edu/openlearn/futurelearn/fiction
Or click on the pink links above to find...
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Jane Elmor replied to Patricia F
@TomHalsall Will do, Tom - so sorry you've had this issue.
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Jane Elmor replied to Patricia F
@MH Thanks for your suggestions! I'll see whether there's anything that can be done on both sides - with the platform itself, and also the presentation guide.
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Please note: As several of you have noticed, the formatting capabilities of this platform are limited and so when you submit your story on here it won't retain certain things, such as indents, paragraph breaks, etc. So please don't worry too much about getting these presentational issues exactly right for your submission here.
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Jane Elmor replied to Patricia F
Hi all - I'm sorry to hear the formatting limitations of the platform have caused you extra hassle and frustration. Thank you for your feedback - I'll take it back to the course team to see if it can be made clearer that you shouldn't follow the presentation guide for online submission here.
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Well done – you’ve reached the last week of Start Writing Fiction!
Time to submit your final story. The course will close at the end of this week, so do submit in time to get some reviews. If you’ve already submitted, why not practice your reviewing and critiquing skills by doing one more peer review? It can only help your own writing.
How did you get on... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Thanks for this, MH!
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Jane Elmor replied to Tom Halsall
@TomHalsall Thanks for trying, Tom! I have also alerted fl about this issue.
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Tom Halsall
Sorry about this issue with the audio - yes, not working for me either. Thanks for drawing fl's attention to it - this is the best thing to do with these sorts of technical issues. Hopefully it will be sorted soon!
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi all –
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Frederick -
Yes, it's totally fine to catch up at your own pace. You may find that others are working at the same time as you, so it is worth still submitting your story for feedback. It's possible the majority of participants will have moved on, but you should hopefully get some reviews! Good luck! -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Juliet Lewis
Hi Juliet - thank you for mentioning this issue, that if you click away whilst you're mid-reviewing, you'll lose the story you're working on and will be issued another one. As you say, it mentions this in the instructions, but I'll see if it can be made clearer. I'll also mention this 'yes' button problem a few of you seem to have had. Thanks for your...
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week – it was lovely to see the comments at the end of the week saying how helpful you found the process.
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into...
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Jane Elmor replied to M H
@MH
Have replied to your repeated post in 3.3, but have now found your original post here, so copying it here too . . .
Yes, I can see that's confusing! 350 words would be a very, very small complete story (flash fiction, in fact!). So I think the idea is that you write, or aim to write, a whole short story if you'd like to - as you say, with beginning,... -
Jane Elmor replied to Scott Furlong
Hi M H -
There's another opportunity in Week 8, where you can submit the story you've been working on for feedback (up to 1000 words there). Having said that, there's no reason you can't submit what you'd like feedback on at any stage! The only problem I can see is that those reading your piece will be looking at the suggested topics to analyse, which might... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi there -
Yes, I can see that's confusing! 350 words would be a very, very small complete story (flash fiction, in fact!). So I think the idea is that you write, or aim to write, a whole short story if you'd like to - as you say, with beginning, middle and end - but just share the opening 350 words. It's true that if you're giving feedback on the start of a... -
Jane Elmor replied to Scott Furlong
@ScottFurlong - Hi Scott - just to say, you'll be able to submit your 500 word story in Week 3 in a different way than in these conversation posts. For now, as it says above, you're just starting your story in your notebook or on your computer . . . though, as others have said, you can share it here in a series of posts if you'd like to!
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Jane Elmor replied to Robyn Tyson
Hi Robyn -
An interesting question! I'd say it means that you shouldn't stop yourself writing anything, especially in your first draft; feel free to express yourself (don't censor yourself before you've even begun!) But after that, you can cast a more critical eye on what you've written, editing it to say more clearly what you mean. Does that make sense? I... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi both - yes, Futurelearn has made a change to their standard course model, meaning the free version now gives participants access to one week at a time, and unlimited, unrestricted access is a paid for benefit included with subscription or upgrade purchase.
Sorry that this restricts your ability to 'learn at your own pace' if you're accessing the free... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hello, and welcome to Week 2!
Remember - people will be working at different speeds (as well as in different places), so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there. You can be sure that there will be more people behind you.
As I said last week – check out the FAQs and guides to using FutureLearn at the bottom of each... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Clinton and Tom -
This seems to be a new change on futurelearn for this presentation - yes, you used to be able to work ahead but now it looks as though each week opens a week at a time. A new one on me! I'll enquire about the reason why . . .
In the meantime, enjoy week 2! -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with...
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Hi Patricia -
I'm sorry to hear of your frustration. The 'Mark as complete' button should be at the bottom of each page, in pink writing in a pink bordered box. When you click it it turns blue and says 'Step completed'. Is this not showing up for you?
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Well done – you’ve reached the last week of Start Writing Fiction!
Time to submit your final story. But if you’re behind, please don’t worry, there’s still time to finish - there will be other learners just like you. And for those who are ahead of the game, why not practice your reviewing and critiquing skills by doing one more peer review? It can only help... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
I hope you find this week's work on editing useful, Carol! 'Writing is rewriting' is a common expression - usually that's when any 'tightening up' happens, often meaning getting rid of unneccesary elements, making sentences sharper and choosing better words to express things more clearly, for example!
Best of luck! -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Yes, one step at a time, Anita! I think when we're studying something, all of us hit a moment when we find the learning curve suddenly steeper and have a bit of a wobble! Par for the course, as they say . . .
Many participants do join us again on the next run if they find they haven't been able to finish this time around, or just to go over the learning and... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Patricia -
And thank you Carol - yes, that's right - clicking the 'Mark as complete' box at the bottom of each page registers your progress. So please don't worry! I'm not sure if you have to have done this to get your certificate if you want one, but it's easy to go through and do! -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi all –
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial...
-
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Patricia -
I'm sorry to hear you've had such a hassle getting started - that sounds really annoying! I hope things are running more smoothly now?
Well done completing all of week 1 - I think you have to click 'Mark as complete' at the bottom of each page for the system to recognise you've gone through everything.
Let me know if there's anything I can... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Patricia Murray
@PatriciaMurray Hi Patricia - Katie's right - if you click the 'Mark as complete' button at the bottom of the page your progress is recorded.
Well done for completing all the steps!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week – it was lovely to see the comments at the end of the week saying how helpful you found the process.
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to Week 2 everyone – it’s great to see your comments and responses to the writing exercises this first week!
People will be working at different speeds (as well as in different places), so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there. You can be sure that there will be more people behind you too, so do post...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Congratulations on completing Start Writing Fiction! We hope you have enjoyed the course. It’s wonderful to read your comments about what you’ve gained for your writing!
Don’t forget our Open University ‘taking it further’ page where you’ll find free resources - http://www.open.edu/openlearn/futurelearn/fiction
Or click on the pink links above to find...
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Jane Elmor replied to Lily Gooden
Hi Lily -
Yes, I'm afraid the platform is limited when it comes to presentation - frustrating! But well done for trying to get the layout right; the advice is useful for when you're submitting work elsewhere. -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Well done – you’ve reached the last week of Start Writing Fiction!
Time to submit your final story. But if you’re behind, please don’t worry, there’s still time to finish - there will be other learners just like you. For those who are ahead of the game, why not practice your reviewing and critiquing skills by doing one more peer review? It can only help your... -
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Sussi -
Yes, sharing really does work, doesn't it?! Turning our ideas into words on the page is a solitary business, but having them read by others, and reading their words too, really helps us all know if what we're trying to express is coming across.
Enjoy the rest of the course!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial processes.
If...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week – it was lovely to see the comments at the end of the week saying how helpful you found the process.
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into...
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Jane Elmor replied to jill brass
Don't feel silly, Jill! All ideas start out 'hazy' . . . and it's great you have plenty of characters - all stories start with these! I think you'll find the coming weeks helpful; especially week 4, which shows how you can develop plots by starting with characters and asking 'what if?'
Good luck!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to Week 2 everyone – it’s lovely to see your comments about how much you’ve enjoyed the first week!
Remember - people will be working at different speeds (as well as in different places), so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there. You can be sure that there will be more people behind you too, so do post your... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Congratulations on completing Start Writing Fiction! We hope you have enjoyed the course. It’s wonderful to see your comments about what you’ve gained for your writing!
If you’re behind, don’t worry, the course will stay open for a couple of weeks for you to catch up and review what you have learned. I won’t be around from next week but don’t forget our...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Well done – you’ve reached the last week of Start Writing Fiction!
Time to submit your final story. If you’re behind, please don’t worry, there’s still time to finish - there will be other learners just like you. The course site will stay open for 14 days after the course end. And for those who are ahead of the game, why not practice your reviewing and... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
-
Jane Elmor replied to Helen Ellwood
Never too old, Helen! :) Congratulations on your competition success!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial processes.
If...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week – it was lovely to see the comments at the end of the week saying how helpful you found the process.
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into...
-
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to Week 2 everyone – it’s lovely to see several of you here already, interacting with each other and having fun with the writing exercises!
Remember - people will be working at different speeds (as well as in different places), so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there. You can be sure that there will be... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
I’m Jane, the Facilitator here, and an Associate Lecturer on the Open University’s Creative Writing degree courses. We do hope you enjoy this course and the exercises provided to get your creative juices flowing. There are opportunities to comment and discuss at the bottom of each page – do share your thoughts with... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
As week 8 draws to an end, we hope you have enjoyed the course. It’s wonderful to see your comments about what you’ve gained for your writing!
If you’re behind, don’t worry, the course will stay open for a couple of weeks for you to catch up and review what you have learned. I won’t be around from next week but don’t forget our Open University ‘taking it...
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Jane Elmor replied to Ian Graham
Well done, Ian! Trepidation for sure - but also a touch of pride I hope!
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 8 – the last week of Start Writing Fiction! Some of you have already submitted your final story. But if you’re behind, please don’t worry, there’s still time to finish - there will be other learners just like you. The course site will stay open for 14 days after the course end. And for those who are ahead of the game, why not practice your reviewing and...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Excellent to hear! Although it's daunting, we learn so much as writers from sharing our work. That fresh eye that can see what we've actually communicated in our writing, rather than what we think we have! Well done!
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Denise Philipbar
The futurelearn team have now fixed this problem with the audio files. Do use the 'support' tab to report it if you continue to find any audio that don't play.
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Jane Elmor replied to Clare Maceachen
Hi again - futurelearn have now fixed this problem with the audio files - a glitch in the system. If anyone finds the audio files don't play on any page, do use the 'support' button to report it, so the futurelearn team are aware and can sort it.
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Jane Elmor replied to Ian Graham
Hi Ian - I'm sorry you haven't received a review yet. I think many participants are working behind the set schedule, so it's still hopeful that yours will be reviewed - I'm sure it stays in the system until it is!
Best of luck - and thank you for doing several reviews!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to week 6, where you’ll be continuing to develop your characters, and writing a first draft of your final story.
How did you get on last week, exchanging characters and feedback with your fellow writers? I hope you’re beginning to feel the benefits of this reviewing work; it gradually feeds back into your own writing and editorial processes.
If...
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Jane Elmor replied to Clare Maceachen
Hi Clare - I hope Sam's solution works for you. Just to let you know, I've just reported this issue to futurelearn, so I hope it'll get fixed soon.
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Jane Elmor replied to Denise Philipbar
Hi Denise - I'm sorry you can't access the audio here. I'm getting in touch with futurelearn support about it - in the meantime, do try Sam's helpful suggestion.
Are you able to at least open the transcription, to read what the authors say? (I know it's not the same! Hopefully this is a glitch that will be sorted soon.) -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 5, and well done – you’ve completed more than half of the course! This week we’re looking at the importance of conflict in stories, and learning how to go about turning stereotypes into more rounded characters.
You’ll be exchanging feedback on characters you’ve created with your fellow writers. The more reviews you do, the more you will get out of the...
-
Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Enjoy the course!
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everyone –
Well done for editing and bravely sharing your work last week – it was lovely to see the comments at the end of the week saying how helpful you found the process.
This week you’ll find out how best to utilise your invaluable writer’s notebook. You’ll also learn how you can develop plots from character, and turn your ideas and concerns into...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Michel -
You're quite ahead of the game! It might be that others haven't reached that step, so it hasn't been reviewed as yet.
The system is all computer generated, so I'm unable to access it in any way - but I'm sure it'll be there, just waiting to be allocated to a reviewer!
Best of luck!
J -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Hi everybody – and welcome to Week 3!
This week is all about editing your work and preparing it to be read by others. It is also the week when you can post your writing for feedback, and give feedback on the work of your fellow writers. It's an activity that really helps develop your writing. Do read the useful PDF guide on how to give feedback (posted in... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome to Week 2 everyone!
It's good to see some of you here already. Remember, people will be working at different speeds, so don’t worry if you get to a new activity and see a lot of discussion already there - or not much yet. You can be sure that there will be more people behind you too, so do post your responses in the comments.
Remember the FAQs and... -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Welcome everyone to Start Writing Fiction!
It’s great to see the good start many of you have already made, and read your reasons for joining the course in the comments. Talking about writing is one of the key ways of learning about how to write.
Do check out the FAQs and guides to using FutureLearn at the bottom of each page. We won’t be able to attend to... -
Jane Elmor replied to Susanna C
@KristaBrown The course stays open for another couple of weeks, so you have time to catch up! And many participants are working behind the set schedule, so you won't be alone here!
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Jane Elmor made a comment
As week 8 draws to an end, we hope you have enjoyed the course. It’s wonderful to see your comments about what you’ve gained for your writing!
If you’re behind, don’t worry, the course will stay open for a couple of weeks for you to catch up and review what you have learned. I won’t be around from next week but don’t forget our Open University ‘taking it...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
This is great to hear, Janice - thank you! Keep writing!
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Jane Elmor replied to Neil Macpherson
@NeilMacpherson Hi Neil - I've reported the 'Yes/No button problem to futurelearn, so I hope that gets sorted soon.
I'm sorry you had the frustration of your formatting disappearing when you pasted up - the platform is limited in this regard - but the advice to present your work this way is valid for submitting your writing generally. I'll see if a note can... -
Jane Elmor replied to Taylor William
Hi Lakeshear - I recommend writing your stories in a Word document first, and then copying and pasting that into the assignment box (this week's is on the next page). This way you'll have your story saved on your computer before uploading.
Good luck! -
Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 8 – the last week of Start Writing Fiction! Some of you have already submitted your final story. But if you’re behind, please don’t worry, there’s still time to finish - there will be other learners just like you. The course site will stay open for 14 days after the course end. And for those who are ahead of the game, why not practice your reviewing and...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi Cee - I think the automated system for allocating reviews depends on the level of activity of those submitting at the time - so it shouldn't be detrimental if you're a little behind, as many other learners are working at the same pace as you.
I hope you get more! -
Jane Elmor replied to Mags Stork
:) Hi Mags! Just popping in to say, I'm not a ghost! I don't think . . .
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Jane Elmor made a comment
Week 7, and the penultimate week! Well done for all your hard work last week, analysing the methods of characterisation in the Fitzgerald story as well as developing your own characters by applying these techniques.
This week you’ll be continuing to hone your editorial skills in developing your characters and final stories, as well as keeping focused on the...
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Jane Elmor replied to Jane Elmor
Hi G.S. - so glad to hear how you're finding 'criticism' of your writing a positive experience. It never stops being a little nerve-wracking having others read your work when you first put it out there for feedback. I had a student once who referred to receiving feedback as a gift, which is a good way of looking at it, I think!
