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. 17 Sep 2009 Read more >>

What better way to celebrate your womanhood than by doing something creative... just for yourself. HeadSpark, the writing think-tank based in Bryanston, Sandton, is celebrating Women's Day this year with an extra-special HeadSpark Novels course at a hugely discounted price for women only. 3 Aug 2009 Read more >>

To plan or not to plan. This is often one of the main questions facing novelists on a first try. Does one sit down with a clutch of characters and a basic idea, trusting in the mercy of the muse? Or does one meticulously flesh out a premise into a scene-by-scene, chapter-by-chapter outline before writing the first word? Morné Malan, bilingual novelist and creative writing coach at HeadSpark, believes there is no right or wrong way. “In some respects, it's a bit like knowing whether one is a cat person or a dog person.” 7 Jul 2009 Read more >>

Administration staff often bear a surprisingly large portion of the responsibility for an organisation's communication. Yet often not enough is done to ensure that these key players receive proper “finishing” in terms of their basic English language and communication skills. For this reason, HeadSpark has launched a conveniently packaged workshop geared specifically towards helping admin personnel achieve excellence in their day-to-day tasks. 11 Jun 2009 Read more >>

Writing talent does not blossom overnight. It needs recognition, nurturing and professional guidance in the basics of narrative technique and style. So believes HeadSpark, the creative writing think-tank that puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to inspiring new talent. HeadSpark will be presenting one Afrikaans and one English Youth Day short story workshop at hugely discounted rates for 16-to-21-year-olds. 2 Jun 2009 Read more >>

If you are a budding Afrikaans novelist or short story writer residing anywhere in Pretoria, Brits, Magaliesburg or Hartbeepoort, here is an opportunity to hone your writing skills and learn how to get published. Morné Malan - the award-winning author and founder of the creative writing school, HeadSpark - will be facilitating two of his highly sought-after Afrikaans fiction writing courses in Hartbeespoort from 22 to 24 May. 14 May 2009 Read more >>

It has been a mere three months since its launch in February of this year, but creative think-tank HeadSpark is already making waves in the education and training sector. This relative newcomer is inspiring both published and unpublished authors from all over the country with its range of effective and affordable creative writing courses, workshops and services. “But don't take our word for it,” says founder Morné Malan and facilitator Bree O'Mara. “Rather read what our students have to say about us.” 7 May 2009 Read more >>

Morné Malan, debut winner of the Sanlam/Insig Groot Roman competition 2007 and founder of creative writing school, HeadSpark, was invited by Jasmyn bookshop in Hartbeespoort to discuss his popular ‘farm-and-city' novel, Suiderkruis. On Saturday 2 May at 12:00, the author will give a talk in the bookshop after which he will answer questions and sign copies of his book. 29 Apr 2009 Read more >>

It is a well-known fact in the publishing world that the outright majority of drafts of first novels never make it past the first couple of chapters. But the problem, believes HeadSpark's Morné Malan, is often not a lack of talent, concept or discipline. “The biggest challenge is, surprisingly, a question of process: wearing the right ‘glasses' at the right time. 8 Apr 2009 Read more >>

Inspirational think-tank, HeadSpark, has introduced a learning solution for creative and corporate writers alike that is unmatched in South Africa in terms of choice, flexibility and value for money: one-on-one workshops on the student's choice of date and time, at no extra cost. 26 Mar 2009 Read more >>

Living up to its motto of “inspiration first”, creative and business writing “think tank” HeadSpark has done it again for another corporate client. 18 Mar 2009 Read more >>

Creative inspiration company, HeadSpark, is pulling out all the stops to help aspiring authors write the books they've always dreamed of writing, and to get them published, too. 6 Mar 2009 Read more >>

Creative think-tank and writing school, HeadSpark, is to launch a unique workshop for aspiring authors who have novels in progress or ready for submission... or for those who plan to! 27 Feb 2009 Read more >>

“Don't get me wrong,” says Morné Malan, writing coach and workshop facilitator at creative learning company, HeadSpark, “families, friends and spouses are precious things. Love them to bits. But when it comes to useful and objective feedback on something creative you've written - bless their souls - you're better off asking the guy who hands out fliers by the traffic light." 23 Feb 2009 Read more >>

There is simply no longer an excuse for the lump-it-all-together, generic ‘Business Writing' or ‘Business Editing' courses and workshops one is still offered in today's competitive training and education market. 13 Feb 2009 Read more >>

You've sweated your way through 100 000 words of your novel's first draft. You're so proud of yourself, you could burst. And then it hits you: one of the classic catch-22s of publishing. A well-edited manuscript is sure to draw a publisher's attention but, once the manuscript is sold, the work is edited by the publisher anyway. So, do you spend a fortune on a private edit to increase your novel's chances, or do hedge your bets with your manuscript's flaws and the insatiable hunger of the slush pile? 6 Feb 2009 Read more >>

There is an uncomfortable little secret that very few writing coaches are prepared to share with their students. It is the most important ingredient in publishing success, yet it's so embarrassingly obvious that it is often neglected or ignored. Inspiration. Inspiration is the only factor that will motivate you to learn new writing techniques and skills in the first place. 28 Jan 2009 Read more >>