$90/class
$180/year
$99.45/12 months
$999/one-time
MasterClass is a massive archive of online courses providing training in specific subjects by titans of that particular industry. MasterClass features the biggest names in writing, such as Neil Gaiman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Dan Brown. What course should I take to become a writer? MasterClass is the best use of your money as an online course to become a writer . Learn from the best. MasterClass courses are the best overall online writing courses because bestselling authors teach them. Plus, your monthly subscription fee gives you access to all of the fantastic MasterClass courses. The courses are self-paced, comprehensive, insightful, geared toward an âintermediate and aboveâ student, and undeniably invaluable. How much does MasterClass cost? MasterClass costs $180/year ($15/month, billed annually). You can also pay $90 for a single class. They seldom offer discounts or coupon codes. MasterClasses features big-name authors, such as:
Which writing MasterClass is the best? I recommend Malcolm Gladwellâs writing MasterClass. It is the best course for finding the story you need to convey, instead of just telling the reader what to believe. Bonus: If you sign up for MasterClass, you not only gain access to incredible online writing courses, you can listen to all the MasterClass courses, like Gordon Ramsay talking about cooking, RuPaul talking about self-expression, and Hans Zimmer talking about film scoring. Check out my in-depth MasterClass review for more details.
The 100-Day Book Program by The Write Practice gives you a proven process to actually finish your books. Starting a book isn't all that tough. But finishing one â that's a different story. How many unfinished manuscripts are tucked away in desks and forgotten file folders? Although itâs easy to get distracted and difficult to get motivated, the 100-Day Book Program helps you stay on task and gives you the resources you need to finish that book. How much does the 100-Day Book Program cost?
Itâs worth noting that you get a $100 incentive if you meet all your deadlines and finish your book by the end of the course, which (in 2023) runs from May to September. Utilizing over 100 daily lessons (video, audio, and written lessons), this course covers everything you'll need when putting together your story, including:
It's not just a technical course; it's also highly motivating. The Write Practice teaches you how to keep writing when writing gets hard, how to beat writer's block, and how to manage your time. If you've ever found yourself struggling to finish your book, you should try this course.
Writing With Flair: How to Become an Exceptional Writer is a perfect course for writers of all skill levels, but it's especially beginner-friendly. This course is taught by an ex-Wall Street Journal editor with one goal in mind: how to write with style, confidence, and impact. Over 240,000 students have enrolled in this course on Udemy by Shani Raja. He teaches you how to master 4 basic principles of writing:
How much does Shani Rajaâs Writing With Flair cost? This writing course costs $94.99, but Udemy often offers discounts, as you see in the screenshot above. Thereâs also a 30-day money-back guarantee. Buying the course gains you lifetime access to the 7 hours of on-demand video training. His basics form what he calls his âsecret sauceâ of writing. As stated above, this course is for writers of all types and skill levels. Even those learning to write English as a second language can form great writing habits with this course. This isn't the only writing course on Udemy. Check out my in-depth Udemy review for more course info.
Check out my full free video course that will teach you how to make effective Ads to increase your book sales
Childrenâs Book University by award-winning, bestselling author Eevi Jones takes a welcoming, comprehensive, and shrewd look at the childrenâs book self-publishing world. Not only does Jones guide you through the writing process for a childrenâs story, she even helps with the business side of things. I love reading with my kids, and that's only possible because of dedicated children's book authors like Eevi Jones. Writing a kid's book is more complicated than you would think. Often, books for kids are full of vibrant illustrations, creative fonts, and simple yet gripping storylines. Now imagine getting all of that ready to publish. It's a lot of work. There's a good chance beginners will get lost. That's why Jonesâs course is so valuable. She carefully breaks down her process for you from start to finish. It's a critical resource for aspiring children's book writers. As an added bonus, you can go through her online writing classes at your own pace. According to Jones:
âI have interviewed more than 100 aspiring childrenâs book authors to ensure that this program covers and addresses every single burning question you may have.â
How much does Childrenâs Book University cost? This course costs $497, as long as you use Kindlepreneurâs link to enroll. This gains you immediate lifetime access. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Typically, Childrenâs Book University costs $997 â and it's worth every single penny. However, Eevi has given Kindlepreneur an amazing 50% discount on her program! This is a special deal that you can only get here. If you're looking to take your children's book writing to the next level, now's your best chance. Be sure to read Eevi Jonesâs guest post on How To Write a Childrenâs Book , here on Kindlepreneur.
AMS Ads For Books is Kindlepreneurâs free course on how to sell more books with Amazon ads . (AMS stands for Amazon Marketing Services.) This robust course is free , on-demand, and easy to follow. Are you a writer wanting to sell more books on Amazon? Enroll today! Now, I'm not looking to boast here, but I honestly believe that my AMS Ads course is an absolute must if you plan to run ads on Amazon. AMS ads aren't very user-friendly. While they have the potential to send your book sales into the atmosphere, they can also eat up your advertising budget while you get them figured out. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use them. You just need to learn how to set up your ads, manage your campaigns, and make necessary adjustments. How much do Kindlepreneurâs courses for authors cost?
Thereâs no credit card required for either of the free courses and no hidden fees, ever. Check out my in-depth look at Amazon Ads for Authors if youâre still considering whether to take this free course. AMS campaigns aren't just set-it-and-forget-it. In my free course, I show you how using Publisher Rocket can help you construct your bookâs best possible ad campaign. If you're looking to create an AMS ad campaign or even self-publish on Amazon, I highly recommend you head over and check out my course.
Memoirama is the brainchild of Marion Roach Smith â an author featured in The New York Times and on NPR and a professional memoir coach. Smith's approach to teaching memoirs has been likened to a precise mathematical formula. She literally teaches you her writing algorithm. Writing a memoir might seem like an easy undertaking at first. You lived through the facts. It can't be that difficult to write them down. Right? Wrong. Navigating these life events can be overwhelming, confusing, and difficult to fully explain to a reader. Thatâs where Marion Roach Smith comes in to ease your mind, guide you through the process, and equip you with the necessary tools to write a memoir. Unlike other click-through courses, Marion teaches her course live. Seats for her class are limited to 30 people. That way, everybody gets to ask questions at the end. How much does Memoirama cost? Memoirama costs $59. It is taught live mostly on Fridays, with a few Tuesdays thrown in for good measure. This is the first of a 4-part series for learning how to write memoirs. It's highly recommended that you take the courses to get the maximum effect. These courses are broken down into easily digestible parts â with the first only 90 minutes long. Whether you're a beginner to memoirs, need a refresher, or looking to have some fun learning, this course is the one for you.
Western Colorado Universityâs Publishing MA Program is one of the only comprehensive masterâs degree programs in the US that offers hands-on experience in the publishing industry, (mostly) from the comfort of your own home. Let me preface this course by stating that it is not entirely held online. You get to spend two weeks in the gorgeous Colorado mountains for summer orientation. After that, you can complete the rest of the course online. Or in the picturesque Rockies, if you decide to move there â your call. Seriously, this is the best course for indie publishers available today. For the first 2 in-residence weeks, you'll go through an intensive training regimen on the basics of publishing. Once that's done, you'll be put to work. Literally. You'll work for a small commercial publishing company, getting paid pro rates to:
How much is WCUâs tuition? WCUâs tuition for graduate students is $17,371/year. Like most masterâs degree programs, WCUâs Publishing MA Program is a 2-year program. Of course, you may qualify for student aid. Also, great news for any of you Sci-Fi guys and gals out there looking to take this course â it's taught by Kevin J Anderson, a legend in the Science Fiction genre with over 56 national and international bestsellers. This includes his work on Dune , the Star Wars canon, the Seven Suns series, and so much more. Andersonâs personal publishing company, WordFire Press, has released over 350 titles from 95 different authors.
Freedom Machine is a great tool for bloggers who want to make a living by guest posting . If I had to pick just one online course for bloggers, it's this one. Created by one of the world's best bloggers, Jon Morrow, this course is the real deal. I make all of my new hires take this course as part of their on-boarding process. This course covers blogging from start to finish â from how to choose the right opening line to pitching a guest post idea. Morrow really drives home some extraordinary fundamentals of blog writing and guest posting. He also provides you with his âlittle black bookâ of websites for guest posting, sites that meet his criteria as great places to guest post. At the end of the course, you get a certificate of completion that carries some weight as a blogging qualification. Morrow makes it abundantly clear that if you donât put the time and effort into his course, you won't go anywhere with it. You need to buckle down and get motivated, as well as do your daily assignments and homework. This is not a course for quitters or those looking to breeze through nonchalantly. How much does Freedom Machine cost?
Freedom Machineâs content and resources are valued at $10,000. For all the value it provides, the company even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Learn how to setup and use your MailerLite account effectively to help sell more books.
Writers of the Future Online Workshop is an amazing course if you're a science-fiction writer or looking to become one. Mind you, this is an intermediate course, not necessarily for writers who are just starting out. How much Writers of the Future Online Workshop cost? This course is completely free. The course is 11 lessons long with 13 videos chock full of priceless information. You also gain access to personal essays from the workshop founder, L. Ron Hubbard. This online writing workshop features 3 top-notch teachers:
If you're a sci-fi fan, you've heard of at least one of those names, if not all 3. They're legends in the sci-fi community. This is like the ultimate masterclass for science fiction. One of the coolest parts of this course is its associated contest. The Writers of the Future contest is open to beginning writers only â meaning you can't have published more than 3 short stories or any novels or novellas. By the end of the course, you'll have already written your submission. And since this course is free (along with the contest entry), you may actually win $5,000 just by learning and participating.
A Fearless Way to Write Novels is taught by award-winning, 7-time New York Times bestselling author Alessandra Torre. She uses her experience to teach simple, step-by-step methods to write a great novel. Novel writing is a lot more than simply throwing a story on paper. Thereâs social media, equipment, software, idea generation, outlining, writing scenes, cliffhangers, copyrights, book blurbs, book descriptions, etc. It can get overwhelming if you donât have an experienced guide. What I love about Torreâs course is the breadth of topics she covers. From generating story ideas to perfectly typing up a bookâs conclusion, this course covers it all with over 75 video lessons. Besides step-by-step lessons, there are also practical writing assignments and bonus content interviews with other bestselling authors. Course lessons include:
How much does A Fearless Way to Write Novels cost? This course costs $297, or 3 monthly payments of $100. You gain immediate, unlimited, lifetime access, including future updates, at no extra charge. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Sometimes the best things in life are free. When it comes to the best online writing courses, free does not have to mean bad. Here are a few free online writing courses you can consider:
Let me know what your favorite online writing courses are. Did I miss any excellent ones? Remember, these courses aren't just for those who don't know how to write. Don't be afraid to go out there and expand your knowledge base, no matter how much experience you have. I believe my breakdown of the best online writing courses will guide you to make the best decision for your individual situation. What's the best online writing course you've ever personally taken? Was it cheating to list all MasterClass courses under one umbrella? Let me know down in the comments below. I keep up with comments long after posts are published.
When Iâm not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, Iâm a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. Iâve even been called âThe Kindlepreneurâ by Amazon publicly, and Iâm here to help you with your author journey.
Autocrit review for 2024: read this before purchasing, memberdash review 2024: wordpress membership plugin, learndash review 2024: an in-depth look at a wordpress lms, sell more books on amazon, how to title a book checklist.
Titling your book can be hardâŠreally hard. As you go through choosing your book title, use this checklist as your guide and make sure you have a title that will sell!
What about academic graduate writing courses online?
Haven’t come across one yet. But if you do, let me know.
Thanks Dave … the Marion Roach Smith Webinar was AMAZING. Packed full of information, tips, and advice about getting a memoir off the ground. Thanks for hosting .. and I hope all went well with getting your daughter from college …. crazy times indeed!
You bet…and no kidding!
Hi, I am going through Holly Lisle`s writing classes – in particular her How To Write A Novel class – at the moment and I am finding that she is one of the most thorough teachers in writing craft that I have found on-line. She is a published author with around 30 books and has moved from traditional publishing in the 1980`s/1990`s through to self-publishing today. She has many paid short courses for a small price and also much larger classes. She offers a short (3 week) flash fiction class for free called “How To Write Flash Fiction That Doesn’t Suck” so you can test out whether her teaching style suits you and learn new skills at the same time. As a satisfied student I highly recommend her courses to anyone wanting to learn writing craft. Cheers Fae
Yes, my sister took Holly`s class and said it was tremendous. If you get a chance to take a dialogue class from Kristen Higgans, that is all you need for dialogue.
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Want to jump straight to the answer? The best creative writing course for most people is Masterclass : Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing or Coursera : Creative Writing Specialization.
Creative writing courses help develop your writing skills, build conscious writing habits, and teach you how to build a professional portfolio for your writing career. Most creative writing courses offer educational and practical assignments that help you advance your creative writing abilities.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to sharpen your creative writing tools, the courses below have you covered.
Continue reading for our in-depth reviews on the five best creative writing courses to help you become a better writer today.
If youâre an experienced writer looking to develop your writing abilities, the Masterclass course Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing is an excellent option for you.
This course compiles advanced material that Atwood simplifies with 23 slow-paced video lessons that span across about four hours.
Author of The Handmaid’s Tale and instructor of this creative writing course, Atwood takes you on a journey of the creative writing process from getting started to getting published. Her first-ever online class will teach you to develop your writing with advanced material and personal advice.
Whether you already have a first draft or a half-written book, this in-depth course teaches all about core writing elements. Atwood discusses how to write a compelling story, create structure, develop nuanced characters, keep your readers interested, and how to stay motivated while writingâhelping you turn your work into a masterpiece.
The best part about this specific creative writing course is how participatory it is. You get access to a class workbook that includes additional writing assignments you can complete after each lesson, as well as helpful resources for writers.
The course also comes with a community hub for all students to interact with each other. The community page gives you a place to discuss lessons, share your work, get feedback, and networkâcreating a sense of classroom-like community.
The structure of the Masterclass course is easy to navigate, with all 23 lessons being split into three to five sections and are around 10 minutes long each.
Lessons one through 16 are about the general elements of writing, like story and plot, structure, characters, and point of view. Lessons 17 through 23 discuss the business side of writing, including getting published and working within different genres.
Masterclass offers one membership fee to receive access to every class on its website. The fee is $10 per month, billed at $120 per year.
A Masterclass membership gives you access to more than 180 classes, audio-only lessons, offline viewing, downloadable instructor guides, and new classes added every month.
Masterclass also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.
Not every creative writing course offers practical and interactive assessments, but the Creative Writing Specialization courses offered by Wesleyan University for Coursera stands out because of its experiential learning experience. This is a set of five courses within one larger specialization, all leading to a capstone project.
As a creative writing course with extensive hands-on projects, each specialization will teach you how to master a different writing technique that successful writers use in the three major writing genres.
There are more than 113,000 students already enrolled in this set of courses, and for a good reason. The course structure has helped many people understand the short story, narrative essay, and memoir genre.
What makes this course so experiential is during the last lesson, where you have the chance to write and edit your own original story.
Using the elements and techniques you learn throughout the five courses taught by different instructors, you will draft a short story, narrative essay, or memoir. With the help of your peer readers and instructors, you will revise, rewrite, and complete the story in whichever genre you choose.
Each course within the overall Specialization focuses on a different element for each genre. During this course, you will learn the craft of plot (course one), crafting characters (course two), settings and descriptions (course three), and style (course four) before you put these skills to the test and write your story in course five.
Even though this Specialization is more in-depth, it’s still flexible, as you can take each of the first four courses in any order (ending with the course five capstone). It’s also 100% online, so you donât need to show up to a classroom, and you can access all course material via a desktop or mobile device.
The Creative Writing Specialization currently takes one month to complete at 10 hours a week, which you should keep in mind. However, Coursera lets you set and maintain flexible deadlines, even though you cannot change the course duration to be any shorter than it already is.
Currently, Write-Bros, Scrivener, and Scribophile are sponsors of the Creative Writing Specialization course and are offering discounts for all students who complete their assessments.
Upon completing your first assignment, you receive an 80% discount from Write-Bros, a 30% discount on your first purchase from Scrivener, and a 30% off membership pricing for Scribophileâs online writing community.
You can enroll in the course for free to read and view the course content. However, if you want access to all courses in the Specialization and receive a certificate upon completion, you need to sign up for Coursera Plus. Coursera Plus offers both monthly and annual subscriptions. The cost is $59 per month or $399 per year with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
With each Specialization course, you get access to shareable course certificates, course videos and readings, practice quizzes, graded assignments with feedback, graded quizzes with feedback, and graded programming assignments.
Coursera also offers financial aid and a seven-day free trial of Coursera Plus.
If you want to learn about the four writing genres and create a strong portfolio with your writing samples, the Complete Creative Writing course by Udemy is an excellent option.
Creating an outstanding portfolio can be difficult for many writers, especially beginners, but this course will help you create a digital portfolio in just five concise sections.
Instructed by teacher and author Trace Crawford, this course delves deep into the world of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. In the fifth and final section, youâll learn how to create a digital portfolio.
Including the introduction, the course has 162 lectures and a running time of about 12 hours. By the end of this course, you will understand the ins and outs of all things creative writing.
Crawford breaks down the course into four subsections: Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Creative Non-Fiction. You will receive a writing journal prompt for every lesson, 145 downloadable resources, and a certificate of completion. Each subsection offers between 20-50 lectures that range between one and four hours in length in total.
The final course section focuses only on the digital portfolio. Many creative writing courses donât touch on portfolio creation, even though it’s an essential aspect of a writer’s career. These lectures will leave you feeling ready to pursue a career in writing.
This course is also flexible, as you can complete it at your own pace and receive lifetime access for one price. If you have the time, you can complete this course within a day or two, which is helpful to retain as much information as possible.
The course comes with 37 online quizzes, 145 downloadable resources, and journal prompts. You also receive a daily writing assignment, a lesson covering the course content, and a practical application project.
Crawford aims to further develop and perfect your voice by teaching you about the four genres. You will also learn about writing techniques, writing concepts, how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your writing projects, and of course, you will build a portfolio.
The regular price is $109.99 for the Complete Creative Writing course, and Udemy often has discounts throughout the year. This specific course usually goes on sale each month, so look out for this.
Udemy also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Are you struggling to build a writing habit and donât know where to start? The Creative Writing 101 six-week course by Gotham Writers is an excellent place to start.
This level one online six-week class focuses on slowly building a writing habit while teaching you about the show and tell of writing, individuality, fiction, nonfiction, and how to get better at the craft.
This course is unique because each class size is limited for students to get enough personal attention from the instructor. There are a maximum of 16 students in each Creative Writing 101 class, which is 100% online.
Creative Writing 101 helps you slowly build a writing habit by encouraging you to complete daily observation exercises and free writing. These writing activities help stimulate the brain and create a way to write freely without the burden of writerâs block.
The course also offers weekly writing assignments that the instructor grades and provides feedback for, which will help you feel more confident about your writing abilities as you progress through the course.
Because this course is online, Gotham Writers provides the Lounge feature for all students to meet weekly for a one-hour live chat. The Lounge is open 24/7 for all students to chat and get to know each other, network, and discuss feedback.
You also get access to a weekly planner, class roster, guidelines, and syllabus. The notebook, booth, library, and blackboard are other essential features that store lectures, assignments, resources, and student feedback.
The course layout is the most similar to an online classroom, especially for collaboration purposes, making it easy to navigate and complete tasks. Each class session lasts for a week, and you have the flexibility to complete tasks at any time of day during the week.
Gotham Writers offers this course online, on Zoom, or one-on-one (either in NYC or long distance) for different prices.
There is also a $25 registration fee that you pay once per term. All course dates are listed on the website and are subject to availability.
Beginners need to start somewhere, and thereâs no better place to start than enrolling in the free Reedsy Learning course, Understanding Point of View.
Taught by TEDx speaker and author Gabriela Pereira, this course focuses on the technical element of point of view, which challenges many writers in the beginning stage. If this sounds like you, you will be delighted to hear that this course is free and gets delivered to your inbox every morning for 10 days.
This is a quick and easy 10-day course. Each lesson is just five minutes, and Pereira takes you on an immersive journey through the challenges of establishing the correct point of view in your creative writing.
This course will familiarize you with each primary POV, including first, second, and third person. With the help of practical writing exercises, you will complete the course understanding how to master each point of view within your writing.
During this course, you will also learn:
To enroll, include your name, email address, and time zone so that Pereira can deliver each lecture to your inbox on time. You can start each morning on the right foot by completing a quick five-minute lesson and go about your day, making it a simple course for the complete beginner to follow and get used to writing each day.
Reedsy Learning offers this and many other free online courses to help you establish your career and transform your writing skills.
There are a few factors that go into finding the best creative writing course for you. Sometimes it can be challenging to choose the right course, especially since there are many different goals you may want to achieve. So we put together this methodology of the three most essential elements to consider before investing in a creative writing course.
The first thing to consider before investing in a creative writing course is the flexibility of your schedule. Consider the duration of each writing course, as some can go for days, weeks, or even months.
The Complete Creative Writing Course by Udemy is a flexible option, as it allows you to go at your own pace and offers 12 hours of content you can complete in as little as a day or two.
However, some courses arenât as flexible with timing, such as the Creative Writing Specialization by Coursera and Wesleyan Universityâwhich takes one month to complete.
Make sure you check whether the timing is flexible, or you might need to change your schedule to fit in with your studies.
Each course offers different prices depending on the duration, topic, and how in-depth the content is. Some writing courses have a subscription-based payment method, while others are one-off payments for lifetime access.
Itâs crucial to look for lifetime access, as you donât want to invest in a course that will expire, and you lose all access to the materials. The course Understanding Point of View by Reedsy Learning is a free course perfect for beginners or anyone who isnât sure where to start.
You can enroll in a free course to learn the ropes of online studying, or you can choose one that offers a one-off payment, as most of the courses on this list. We wouldnât recommend paying for a subscription unless you are dedicating a few months to learning or are interested in multiple courses from the same company.
A learning hub or community page can help you reinforce the learning materials, network, and build on your overall learning experience. Courses like Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing by Masterclass and Creative Writing 101 by Gotham Writers offer community hubs or lounges for students to interact and connect.
Although not required, a central hub is essential for building a community and connecting with other writers. It can make your learning experience feel more like a classroom, even when it’s online.
You might even complete the course with a few fellow writer friends along with the knowledge you obtained from the writing course.
Overall, the Masterclass and Coursera courses are our top two recommendations for the best creative writing courses on the market today.
With workbooks, learning hubs, video content, and downloadable resources, you can learn how to become a successful and confident writer using the courses reviewed in this guide.
Join our mailing list and receive your free eBook. You'll also receive great tips on story editing, our best blogs, and learn how to use Fictionary software to make your story unforgettable.
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Blogs / Writing Tips / Best Online Creative Writing Courses for Authors
Best online creative writing courses for authors.
Many creative writers looking to hone their craft consider taking writing courses. However, with so many courses available, finding the right one can be a challenge. A writer must consider the quality of the content offered, the feedback possibilities, and the environment of the course if it has any workshop opportunities. After all, this art is personal, and to seek help in becoming better at it is a choice that can make a writer feel vulnerable.
Among those courses where a writer might find help is Fictionary Live! As the title suggests, these courses are live and unrecorded, offering instruction where writers can strengthen their skills in a supportive community.
Most writers find their passion through reading the stories other people have written. They turn to their own pens and keyboards wanting to draft stories that sweep them into the imaginary, much like their favorite authors. However, being a beautiful writer is different from being a strong storyteller. Stories have been told for hundreds of years, and even those earliest stories follow a structure to create gripping tales. Without having a strong structure, a story is at risk of losing its grip on the reader.
Tip 1: Choose a course that offers knowledge specific to your stage in the writing process
Tip 2: Choose a course taught by experienced instructors
Tip 3: Choose a course that fosters a love of writing and writers
What is fictionary live.
Fictionary Live! Is a series of six-week-long classes intended to take a writer from a rough draft to a fully revised manuscript.
It offers courses from experienced editors in a format that meets the writer wherever they are in their writing process.Â
Whether to plot or not to plot is a common debate among writers. Some plotters have detailed outlines before they begin their manuscripts, while other writers find their story as they write into the characters and events. Regardless of where a writer exists in the debate, having a direction one intends to go with a story can give a writer confidence when starting a new book. A strong outline shows the direction of a strong story, and while that outline might change throughout the writing process, the structure is there from the beginning. Likewise, having a strong edit when that first draft is finished can ensure the revision is one the writer can approach with confidence.Â
6 weeks to outline a novel.
Outlining a novel can feel too restricting at first for many writers who find their stories as they write. The pressure of this anticipated restriction can make writers lose their confidence and sometimes abandon their work. The Fictionary Live! sessions show writers how to write an outline with direction while also acknowledging their story might change along the way.Â
Over the course of six weeks, these concerns are shared amongst a class in the live sessions, with feedback from the instructors and community. By addressing limiting fears, and showing a writer how to use their art within the format of an outline, the writer develops tools they can use in their current work in progress as well as their future manuscripts.Â
Writers can expect lessons where objectives are met and homework is assigned. Each week builds on the previous week, and by the end of six weeks, the writer has a working outline to use in writing their story, showing the writer that strong stories exist with solid structure and the story level.
Outlining a scene can pose similar issues for a writer in terms of feeling restricted, until the realization that knowing the structure of a scene can help a writer with inspiration. For writers who fear the blank page, outlining a scene gives direction in smaller increments to build a full working story.
The 6 weeks to Outline a Scene course takes a writer through the structure of a scene and shows writers how to ensure each scene is working for their story.
Writers can expect a course with strong instructional lessons provided with opportunities to share scenes and discuss in an open and supportive forum.
Much like the importance of having a strong story structure, having a strong scene structure will ensure a great story being told.
Once a writer has a strong outline and has written a full manuscript with structurally sound scenes, the editing process begins. Before sending the work off to an editor, a writer should ensure they have the best working manuscript they can. This editing can be intimidating if you lack the knowledge of what editors look for in a strong manuscript.
The Novel Editing Part 1: Evaluate and Identify Issues course shows a writer what a strong edit looks like by evaluating both the full novel structure and the scene level structure. By using the 38 Fictionary Elements, the writer will learn how to conduct a full edit on their own work with actionable advice.
This course will offer the same open forum, with a deep dive into the Fictionary software which can be used to perform a strong edit on oneâs own manuscript.Â
With a strong edit, the writer will have a story with sound structure ready to revise.
Once a full edit is done, the revising stage begins. Without knowing how to address the editing notes, a writer can struggle in this process.
The Novel Editing Part 2: Make Your Revisions and Finish Your Book  course takes writers step by step through the revision process by building on the editing plan constructed in the Novel Editing Part 1: Evaluate and Identify Issues course.Â
The course will consistently revisit ideas and plans laid in the editing course, and show a writer how to use these plans to revise their manuscript. At the end of six weeks, writers will have a finished manuscript.
These revisions will ensure a great story with a strong structure ready to meet readers.
Why are creative writing tutorials important.
Creative writing tutorials offer writers craft knowledge and experience. This knowledge and experience supports writers as they develop their own writing and storytelling.
Writers should choose courses they feel offer valuable information in a format that is supportive and respects the writer and their art.
Good story writing courses should provide writers with actionable advice to take to their own work, allow them opportunities to share their work with feedback and create a community of kindness.
No matter what stage a writer is at in their writing, strong storytelling courses are available to help writers develop their craft and hone their storytelling skills.
By combining my experience of teaching writing at the secondary level with a Fictionary StoryCoach Edit, I will help you strengthen your story while honoring the care and effort you have dedicated to your art. If you are looking for someone to edit your book, you can find me in the Fictionary Community .
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Showing 29 courses that match your search.
HerPaperRoute
In this course, participants will learn how to brand themselves as authorities in their niche, with content tailored for both beginners and more experienced individuals, helping them establish a strong presence in their chosen field.
Website: https://herpaperroute.com/free-blogging-courses/
Categories: Adult
Start date:
Open all year round
Prerequisites: No prerequisites
Hubspot Academy
The course provides insights into starting and maintaining a blog, developing an effective blogging strategy, engaging an audience, and enhancing business visibility through blogging.
Website: https://academy.hubspot.com/
The Business Writing course is designed to enhance writing skills for a professional setting, aiding in clear communication. It includes lessons on structure, audience engagement, and effective writing techniques.
How to Write a Novel
Your story matters. Unlock your potential with daily video lessons from bestselling ghostwriter Tom Bromley, and finish your first draft in just 3 months. Learn more â
Kansas City Public Library
In this course, participants will explore the use of metaphors, similes, allegories, and symbols in writing through practical exercises designed to enhance creativity and expression.
Website: https://kclibrary.org/
October, 2024
This course explores the therapeutic potential of writing through journaling and storytelling, aiming to reframe past experiences and enhance personal narratives.
December, 2024
This online writing course is for beginners and intermediates, focusing on personal and career development.
Michigan State University
This course helps you write a full-length novel (50,000 words) by guiding you through the process, including idea development, character creation, and structuring your story. It promotes experiential learning with short lectures and practical writing activities, ensuring you have a complete manuscript by the end.
Website: https://www.coursera.org/
Red Lounge for Writers
The course consists of three video lessons covering essential elements of memoir writing, common pitfalls, and tips on structuring the beginning and end of your story. Includes downloadable worksheets for hands-on practice.
Website: https://www.redloungeforwriters.com/
The Memoir Network
This free course includes five lessons that teach memoir writing techniques, focusing on memory enhancement, pre-writing tasks, utilizing personal materials, productivity options, and overcoming writer's block.
Website: https://thememoirnetwork.com/free-memoir-writing-course/
This workshop focuses on transforming freelance writing skills into content marketing opportunities, covering marketing jargon, types of content businesses need, and how to find freelance jobs.
Website: https://www.porchtn.org/workshops
August, 2024
Austin Bat Cave
The course focuses on organic plot development driven by character decisions and their consequences, helping writers create engaging narratives.
Website: https://austinbatcave.org/
In this course, learn to write compelling nonfiction by exploring narrative techniques and journalistic tools to connect with readers authentically.
Website: https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/
Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that book youâve been working on? Youâre in the right place. Thatâs why we built this directory of the best creative writing courses.
However, creative writing classes arenât one size fit all. If youâre planning to join an adult creative writing class in particular, youâll want to make sure that it matches what youâre seeking to learn about the genre.
So make sure to consider the following questions when youâre researching adult writing courses:
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Whether you’re just beginning to write or putting the finishing touches on your first novel, our on-campus and online writing courses offer expert instruction, individual attention, and supportive feedback at all levels, in all genres of creative writing. Most of the instructors in our program have established careers as novelists, journalists, playwrights, and screenwriters. Many have served as fellows in Stanford’s prestigious Stegner Creative Writing Program. Choose from writing courses in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, memoir, magazine writing, travel writing, the short story and more. Stanford Continuing Studies offers writing workshops and online and on-campus writing courses, so you can choose the format that best fits your schedule.
Write a Novel in 30 Days: No Critics, No Fear
An Author's Guide to Publishing: Get Your Work into the World
Poetry Workshop: Locating the Language of Your Life
Creative Nonfiction Workshop: Crafting a Narrative Voice
The fastest and easiest way to register for courses is online. You may browse through the website, add courses to your cart, and then complete the online registration process . If you already know which courses you want to register for, you may go to View Cart and begin registration.
Grow as a Writer and a Reader
You will take literature and creative writing courses; have opportunities to interact with visiting writers; and attend readings, workshops, festivals, and other special events. Throughout this program, you will learn techniques necessary for the mastery of the craft of creative writing, improve your creative writing skills through feedback and continued revision, and gain insight into local and national resources for writers and the publication process. Our program culminates in a capstone course, Portfolio Development, which is designed to help you prepare to apply to four-year writing programs and develop manuscripts for publication.
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Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits |
---|---|---|
 or |  | 3 credits |
 | 3 credits | |
Social Science Elective | Â | 3Â credits |
 | 3 credits |
Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits |
---|---|---|
Literature course | ENGL 101 must be completed prior to taking any literature courses except for ENGL 190 where ENGL 101 and ENGL 190 may be taken concurrently. | 3 credits |
 or | ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better | 3 credits |
 or  or higher | For FNMT 118: FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placementSome colleges and universities require a mathematics course above FNMT 118. Students who are FNMT 118 ready may take MATH 137 or MATH 150 instead of FNMT 101. Students who are FNMT 118 ready who wish to transfer to Temple University should take FNMT 118, which is the prerequisite for MATH 161. Students with a math placement score above FNMT 118 should take MATH 161 or a higher-level math course. Please visit the transfer agreements web page for more information and consult with an advisor when selecting a quantitative reasoning course. | 3 credits |
Directed Elective - Select one of the following: Literature course or (ENGL 137 recommended for students taking ENGL 282) | ENGL 101 | 3 credits |
Select one of the following:  or  or  or | For ENGL 280, 281, 282: ENGL 205 For ENGL 283: ENGL 102 or ENGL 205 | 3 credits |
Course Number and Name | Prerequisites and Corequisites | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following:  or  or  or | For ENGL 280, 281, 282: ENGL 205 For ENGL 283: ENGL 102 or ENGL 205 | 3 credits |
Two of the following: ENGL 280, 281, 282, 283 one of which may be taken concurrently | 3 credits |
The certificate program in Creative Writing is a 33-credit program designed to help students grow as writers and readers. Guided by our accomplished faculty, students will take a sequence of literature and creative writing courses, have opportunities to interact with visiting writers, and attend readings, workshops, festivals and other special events. The program culminates in a capstone course, Portfolio Development, designed to help students prepare to apply to four-year writing programs and develop manuscripts for publication. Students earning the certificate in Creative Writing may elect to continue their education at the College by earning the A.A. degree in Liberal Arts by completing 28 additional credits.
Upon completion of this program graduates will be able to:
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Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Starting Pay: $46,727
One of the nation's most prestigious open-enrollment creative writing programs..
Whether you're looking to improve your writing for personal fulfillment, want to be published, or are preparing to apply to an MFA program, the Writers' Program can help you achieve your goals. You will find a supportive community of instructors, academic counselors and fellow students to help you on your journey.
We offer a wide range of open-enrollment courses, all of which may be taken individually. A guide on where to get started is provided below.
We also offer a fully customizable 21-unit Certificate in Creative Writing where you can develop professional creative writing skills in the genre of your choice.
Novels | |
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Memoirs | |
Personal Essays | |
Creative Nonfiction | |
Poetry | |
Young Adult Novels | |
Middle Grade Novels | |
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Develop your skills in the genre of your choice, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more.
This customizable program culminates in a capstone project where you will make significant progress on a polished collection of work.
Taught by a prestigious roster of instructors who are published writers and active professionals, courses can be taken onsite, online, or a combination of both.
4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting.
Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration.
August 1-4, 2024 Registration opens Monday, February 5
If you have a completed draft of a manuscript and need feedback for your work, you may consider a one-on-one consultation with a Writersâ Program instructor.
Consultations give you a full cover-to-cover read of your work, a written evaluation, and a follow-up conversation in person, via phone, or web chat.
MFA, fiction writer, author of the story collection Once Removed (UGA Press) and winner of the Flannery OâConnor Award for Short Fiction.
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Stay immersed in the Writers' Program community. Our optional membership program offers exclusive access to a range of discounts and benefits, including members-only networking, professional development opportunities, and course discounts.
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The rumors are true. You can become a successful author without a degree in creative writing .
In fact, itâs even possible to learn the craft on the cheap, scraping together insight from free articles, library books, and fellow writers. You donât have to take a formal writing course at all .
So why do creative writing classes even exist?
Loads of reasons, actually.
For one thing, many aspiring writers learn best in a structured classroom or workshop setting with personal attention from an instructor.
Creative writing courses also provide opportunities to form relationships with other writers and even find a mentor. They often require you to share your writing and provide feedback on your classmatesâ work, both of which teach you how to think more analytically about the craft and embrace constructive criticism .
You donât even have to be an aspiring author to reap the benefits of these classes.
You could be a college student looking to boost your communication skills. Or a senior hoping to share their story with future generations. Or a person whoâs just looking for a fun hobby.
There are plenty of reasons to pursue formal instruction in writing. The trick is determining whether a class can help you meet your current goals and, if so, which course is right for you.
You and I are going to think through that together. Weâll talk about what you can learn in these courses, key considerations when choosing your class, and how to get the most out of it.
Youâll even leave with some tips for overcoming the biggest challenges of writing workshops⊠like the part where you have to share your hot mess of a first draft with a room full of semi-strangers.
First, we need to get clear on what creative writing even is.
Creative writing is a ridiculously broad term that can mean a lot of things. It basically covers all forms of writing that are creative, personal, and expressive rather than informative and objective.
Creative writing uses literary devices like metaphor and symbolism to create an emotional experience for the reader. In non-creative writing, factual clarity is the primary goal, which often means using direct language and avoiding emotion or bias.
For example, a novel is creative writing. A newspaper article is not.
A poem is creative writing. The user manual for your new smart toilet is not.
If youâre looking at a class that promises to teach you âcreative writing,â take a close look at the description to make sure it fits your actual goals. That course could be covering any one ofâor even all ofâthese things:
There are three primary forms of creative writing. Each one has approximately half a billion sub-forms and genres , which is why itâs a good idea to be specific in your search for creative writing classes.
Here are the three main forms of creative writing:
Fiction - Any narrative that isnât true or is even partially made up falls under the category of fiction. This includes novels, novellas , and short stories as well as scripted fiction like plays, screenplays, and teleplays.
Creative nonfiction - This includes anything thatâs true but expressed creatively through the biased perspective of the author. In this category, youâll find things like memoirs , personal essays, travel writing, nature writing, and literary journalism.
Poetry - Poetry has so many subgenres itâs borderline impossible to define. Generally speaking, itâs an expression of abstract ideas or emotions, often using evocative sensory details and unconventional sentence structures. It may or may not have a deliberate rhythm, it may or may not rhyme, and it might even tell a true or made-up story, stepping its bold little foot into the territory of narrative essays or fiction.
Once you know which specific creative writing skills youâd like to develop, how do you find the class thatâs right for you?
Turns out, there are a ton of places to look.
If you want to take an in-person course, you can see what the local community college has to offer. You might also be able to find creative writing classes at a local community center or attend a workshop hosted by a writersâ group.
There are also absolute buckets of online writing courses. Browse the options available on sites like Coursera , Udemy , MasterClass , and Gotham Writers Workshop . Or Google exactly what youâre looking for and see what comes up.
Youâll discover that you have a ton of options. The next challenge is narrowing them down.
Once you realize just how many creative writing courses are out there, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. How are you supposed to know which one is right for you?
Start by asking yourself these seven easy-peasy questions:
Do you want to write fiction? Nonfiction? Poetry?
Whichever one it is, are you able to narrow your preferences down even further?
Letâs say you know you want to study fiction writing. Is it because you dream of being a novelist? Because you have a great screenplay idea? Or maybe you want to be a novelist, but youâd like to learn the fundamentals by writing a short story first.
Donât be afraid to get even more specific. For example, if youâd love to learn how to write fantasy , see what fantasy writing courses are out there.
You may find options that are too specific for where you are in your journey. If youâre still not clear on how to craft a character arc or create unforgettable characters , it might not be time to worry about developing magic systems .
But maybe a class on fantasy story development will be more beneficial than a more generic fiction writing class.
On that note, if you want to focus on genre fiction (like fantasy, sci-fi , romance , horror ⊠that kind of stuff), make sure you take a genre-friendly class. Some creative writing classesâespecially in academiaâfocus on literary fiction and get a little snooty about the commercial stuff.
Think about why you want to take a creative writing class in the first place. What do you hope to get out of this?
Common motivations include:
Based on your goal, which writing courses are likely to help you the most?
Most class descriptions provide a breakdown of the objectives for the class, indicate what kind of assignments or major project youâll complete, and lay out the topics youâll cover. For many online courses, you can even read reviews from past students.
All this information can give you a clear indication of what the class can (or cannot) do to help you on your journey.
If you prefer online writing courses, youâll have way more options to choose from. You can also learn from the comfort of your own home and enjoy the opportunity to connect with writers from all over the country⊠maybe even all over the world.
Depending on the way the class is set up, you might also have a flexible schedule. Some online courses feature pre-recorded video lectures and exercises you can do on your own time. The downside is that you canât easily connect with your fellow learners and may not get feedback on your work.
Other online creative writing classes have live sessions and assignments with real deadlines, so thereâs less flexibility but you can still enjoy the ease of a twenty-foot commute.
In-person classes are great because they help you build relationships with fellow writers in your community (or close enough). They also promote a deeper, more focused commitment. Not only do you have to block out the time and show up, you also physically remove yourself from the distractions of your personal life.
There are pros and cons to both options. Only you can decide what makes sense for you.
If you already have some knowledge of writing fundamentals, youâll be bored senseless in a class that teaches you what symbolism is and how to use dialogue tags .
Youâll also be miserable in a class thatâs way over your head.
Once again, the course description should help you deduce whether this course will be tough enough to advance your writing skills without being so challenging that you canât keep up. When in doubt, email the instructor and ask if their class is right for someone of your experience level.
Is the instructor published or working professionally in your area of study? What are their strengths as a teacher? Does this seem like the right person to help you reach your writing goals?
Whenever possible check out reviews or ask previous students what they say about their class and teaching style. Just because an instructor gets great work out of their students, that doesnât automatically mean theyâre the best guide for everyone.
If your only objective is to have fun exploring a new hobby, you probably donât need the âlook to your left, look to your right, only one of you will survive this classâ instructor.
You donât need to get your hands on the class roster. I just mean, what do you know about the type of people who typically take this particular writing course?
What are their goals? How advanced are their creative writing skills? Are they creative writing majors in a competitive academic environment? Newbies who are just trying to get a sense of what the writing world is like? Aspiring indie authors eager to encourage one another?
Also, how many of them are there? Whether youâre hoping for more focused guidance from the instructor or kiiiiinda wanna blend into the crowd, class size is something to consider.
Depending on how extensive they are or where you find them, creative writing courses can cost anywhere from a little to a whole, whole lot. Before you get attached to any specific class, search your soul (and your bank account) and decide how much youâre ready to invest in building your writing skills.
The right answer is whatever answer is right for you .
Okay. Youâve enrolled, you bought a new notebook, youâve got your four-color pen⊠now what? What can you expect from your creative writing course?
Seeing as how this grand world of ours is full of so many different types of creative writing and different writing classes and different writing instructors, I canât give you a super specific answer.
But Iâll do my best to provide a general overview of what you might experience in a very typical writing class.
I know I seem pretty obsessed with course descriptions at this point, but that really is the best place to look if you want to know what topics your instructor will cover.
Other than that, here are some concepts that are commonly covered in the following creative writing classes:
In a standard fiction writing class, youâll likely go over all the essential building blocks of a story. That includes plot structure , character development , conflict , setting , and theme .
You might also have an opportunity to dive into the prose itself, working to perfect more detailed skills like dialogue , scene description , and pacing .
If you study any form of script writing (playwriting, screenwriting, or teleplay writing), you may also learn formatting rules and how to write action, especially if itâs a beginner class.
Youâll have a lot of writing assignments. Some creative writing classes are structured to help you complete a project, in which case your assignments might build towards writing a script, novel, novella, short story, or childrenâs book.
You can probably expect a lot of reading assignments, too, as your instructor will want you to see how published authors have mastered the skills youâre learning.
In this type of course, youâll most likely learn how to find the narrative arc in a true story, zero in on a theme, and tell a compelling tale without abandoning reality.
In some classes, you might also explore ethical issues surrounding nonfiction writing or dive into advanced topics like incorporating research and blending personal stories with societal issues.
As for assignments, itâs the same deal as if you were learning fiction. Youâll probably read work by the greats, do some writing of your own, and end the class with at least one good personal essay or the beginnings of a great memoir.
In a poetry class, you can expect to cover different poetic forms (haiku, sonnet, all that jazz) and learn a truckload of literary devices. Youâll probably dive into elements like meter, rhyme, and rhythm.
Try not to be too shocked when I tell you that youâll also write poemsâlike, a ton of poemsâand read even more.
As for the way the class is structured, your course will land somewhere on the lecture-to-workshop spectrum. Allow me to explain.
In some creative writing classes, you mostly listen to the teacher teach, do some assigned reading, and turn your writing assignments in to be graded or critiqued by the instructor.
Actually, there are online creative writing classes where you donât even do that much.
MasterClass courses, for example, are completely self-directed, with pre-recorded video lectures and workbooks you go through on your own. You donât share your work with the instructor because the instructors are people like Margaret Atwood, and Margaret Atwood is very busy doing other things.
On the other end of the spectrum are writing workshops, where thereâs a lot less teaching and loads more writing. In this scenario, you and your fellow students spend most of your class time sharing and providing feedback on one anotherâs work.
Then, of course, there are creative writing courses that land somewhere between the two, with a little sharing, a little lecturing, and hopefully a lot of learning.
Another thing you might notice on your quest to find creative writing classes is that some of these courses get very specific. There are plenty of advanced skills you can learn to take your writing to the next level, boost your qualifications in a specific area, or improve your odds of making a living off your words.
Letâs take a quick look at the kind of specialized classes you might find as you search for creative writing courses.
Rather than learning the basics of a particular form of writing, you can take classes that invite you to focus on a single skill or element.
You might learn how to craft a compelling plot, develop characters with psychological and emotional depth, or write for a specific audience .
You can also find a course that will help you develop non-writing skills that will still make you a better writer, like developmental or copy editing .
As I mentioned before, it may be worth looking for creative writing classes that are specific to your genre. Each genre comes with its own tropes, conventions, and reader expectations. You can embrace or subvert them, but you canât do either if you donât know them.
You might find more generalized courses like âHow to Write Mysteriesâ or more specific ones like âHow to Build Romantic Tension.â
Then there are the courses that focus less on the craft of creative writing and more on the business of it .
If you hope to publish traditionally , you might look for classes on writing query letters , creating book proposals, or navigating the publishing industry as a whole.
If you plan to self-publish , you can find courses on writing to market , developing a marketing plan , the entire self-publishing process , or any of the other six thousand things indie authors have to think about.
This kind of education can be extremely helpful if you hope to make a living from your words.
Writers need other writers. Your peers can inspire you to stay on course, share resources and opportunities, and possibly even connect you with gatekeepers when youâre ready to publish.
Most importantly, they understand the journey youâre on. That might not seem like a big deal now, but youâll see the benefit of it when youâre standing there in your salsa-stained sweatshirt, trying to explain to your helplessly confused spouse that youâre freaking out because your protagonist derailed your entire third act by making a choice that wasnât in the outline .
Yeah. Writing gets weird. Your people can help you get through the weirdness, and writing courses present great opportunities for finding your community.
Hereâs how to make it happen:
The tricks for making friends in a creative writing class are the same as in any other context. Make friendly conversation before and after class and during breaks. Share ideas or resources that might be helpful.
Focus on connecting with people youâd genuinely like to be friends with. The relationships that help you the most in the long term will always be the ones that start from a real connection.
Also keep in mind that a creative writing class is a vulnerable place, especially if itâs a workshop where everyone is sharing early drafts.
When you offer feedback to your fellow writers, be kind and constructive. On the flip side, notice which of your classmates know how to be helpful without scoffing at your efforts. That combination of positive and enriching is absolutely essential for a long-term writer friendship.
The next challenge is staying in touch with these people after the course ends. There are many ways to do this.
Tell the person or people you want to stay in touch with that you want to stay in touch with them. Swap phone numbers or email addresses if you havenât already.
You could also invite someone to meet up for lunch or coffee in the near future.
You could arrange to be critique partners for one another on your current project. Or simply agree to be accountability partners, checking in with each other once a week to see how things are going.
If you really clicked with your classmates, you might consider creating a writersâ group. This happened with an online essay writing class I took once. We continued sharing personal essays and giving feedback for about a year after the course ended.
If all of these options overwhelm you, start small. Become social media chums. Engage with their content. As you become more comfortable, send them a private message asking how their latest work in progress is going. Build the relationship actively but gradually.
I promised to go over some of the trickier or more intimidating aspects of creative writing courses. These are the little obstacles that crop up when youâre suddenly in a position of having to share your work or craft masterful writing on someone elseâs schedule.
It can be overwhelming, but itâs all survivable. And, as is the case with most overwhelming things, these challenges will build character and better prepare you for a writing career, if thatâs what youâre after.
Writerâs block is that thing where all your creative gears seem to come to a grinding halt. You canât think of a single story idea or figure out what happens next or even write one coherent sentence.
Itâs a frustrating problem that gets even tougher when you have to have ten pages ready to share with the class by Friday.
So how do you get past it?
The best move is to first identify whatâs really going on. Your imagination might be frozen because youâre afraid your story will suck. Or maybe you canât quiet your inner critic or youâve got a lot going on in your life and your brain canât handle another job right now.
You can find a ton of exercises to work through these issues in this article . In the meantime, one of the best ways to get through writerâs block is to simply let it be bad. Let yourself write garbage, if thatâs how it has to be. You can fix it once itâs on the page.
Not exactly stoked to have a bunch of people you just met tell you whatâs wrong with your story? None of us are, my friend.
Nevertheless, receiving constructive criticism is crucial for improving your skills. Plus, if you plan to build a writing career, youâll be receiving loads of feedback on your work for the rest of your life. Creative writing classes can help you ease into this jarring scenario so you can be a real pro about it when you receive notes from agents, editors, and readers.
We actually have a guide on managing this fear, too, so Iâll just give you the short version for now:
Focus on becoming a better writer rather than proving that youâre a good one.
You might already be fantastic. But you can always be better, and if thatâs your goal, youâll be able to appreciate feedback for the gift that it is.
Creative writing almost always takes longer than we think it should. In fact, the more you learn, the longer youâll probably spend on your assignments.
I recommend scheduling your writing time in advance. Block out writing sessions and stick to them.
Not only does this help you prioritize your writing rather than leaving it to the last minute, it also trains your brain to enter the creative zone when your official writing time rolls around. That helps you get the work done faster.
You can find more tips on creating an effective writing schedule here , advice for building a writing habit here , and tricks for writing faster here .
You wonât learn all the creative writing skills you need in a single class. You wonât even learn them in a single lifetime.
Great writers pursue education continuously. But that doesnât mean you have to spend all your walkinâ around money on online writing classes.
You also learn the craft by reading the authors you admire, studying the way they structure their stories and shape their prose.
You learn by sharing your work with critique partners for feedback and by examining their workâan exercise that trains you to think more analytically about what makes a great story great.
You can read books and articles on writing. You can attend conferences and seminars and literary events.
And you can hang out with us here at Dabble.
Weâve got loads of free articles and other resources in DabbleU . Weâve got a free ebook that walks you through the entire process of writing a novel. Weâve got a free newsletter that delivers hot tips right to your inbox.
All of this is available to you even if you donât use our super rad, all-in-one writing tool .
And if you do ?
So glad you asked. Premium Dabble subscribers also get access to a bonus, information-packed newsletter and exclusive workshops. (You can get a sneak peek of one here .)
Not a Dabbler yet, but always been a little curious? Click this link for a free trial. That gets you access to all Premium features for two weeks. You donât even have to enter a credit card!
Consider it a free education.
Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. When sheâs not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that.
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Whether writing is your hobby or career, you'll need to deal with the financial side of authorship sooner or later. It's not as fun as coming up with love triangles or magical worlds, but this Deep Dive tells you all you need to know to get a handle on your author finances.
Themes add an important element to our stories, giving them meaning and adding extra depth. We'll cover some common book themes and how to write stories with them in mind.
It isn't easy to write a good villain, at least not without the right ingredients. Let Dabble give you the perfect recipe for a villain!
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Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. On Skillshare, youâll find inspiration from hands-on classes and teachers at the top of their creative fields, so you can take the next step in your creative journey.
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Whether you’re looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications.
How long will it take?
Creative writing certificates certificates widely recognised qualification. equivalent to the first third of an honours degree. study for interest or career development. shows that you can study successfully at university level. count it towards further qualifications such as a diphe or honours degree., why study creative writing with the open university.
Since 2003, over 50,000 students have completed one of our critically acclaimed creative writing modules.
The benefits of studying creative writing with us are:
Studying creative writing will equip you with an adaptable set of skills that can give entry to a vast range of occupations. You’ll learn to evaluate and assimilate information in constructing an argument as well as acquiring the skills of creative and critical thinking that are much in demand in the workplace.
Our range of courses in creative writing can help you start or progress your career in:
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
See our full list of Creative Writing modules
Browse all the Creative Writing courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of Creative Writing courses
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The best in-person creative writing classes. Gotham Writers, the biggest adult-education writing school in the US, is based in New York City and offers in-person classes. With self-paced courses, write-ins, and several free events per term, it emulates the university feel wherever possible. đČ Cost: $165 - $450.
Udemy â Secret Sauce of Great Writing â Most Affordable. MasterClass â Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television â Best for Multimedia Writing. The Novelry â Writing for Children â Best for Children's Literature. Writer's Digest University â Creative Writing 101 â Best for Beginners. Bookfox â Two Weeks to Your Best ...
7. The Best Online Creative Writing Courses Foster a Writing Community. A creative writing course fosters a creative writing community. This community gives you the motivation to create, as it creates a safe environment to experiment, take risks, and grow in your writing practice.
The Certificate in Creative Writing is a 4-course, 4 c.u.* credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty. To earn a certificate, students complete any four courses offered, in any order. Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an advanced certificate (6-course, 6 c.u.*) by adding two additional creative ...
Stanford Continuing Studies' online creative writing courses make it easy to take courses taught by instructors from Stanford's writing community. Thanks to the flexibility of the online format, these courses can be taken anywhere, anytimeâa plus for students who lead busy lives or for whom regular travel to the Stanford campus is not ...
Find what fascinates you as you explore these Creative Writing classes. Skillshare is a learning community for creators. Anyone can take an online class, watch video lessons, create projects, and even teach a class themselves.
Price. Full six-week courses cost $299 for the introductory Creative Nonfiction 101 class, then $399 each for more advanced courses ($369 for returning students). Three-week intensive online courses cost $150 and four-week intensives cost $165. All classes require a $25 registration fee once per term.
30+ Creative Writing Courses: Free, Paid, Special. Creative writing courses are abundant for a reason, but which are worth it and which aren't? We're highlighting the best for every budget.
CREATIVE WRITING. What's your story? Whether you're just beginning to write or putting the finishing touches on your first novel, our on-campus and online writing courses offer expert instruction, individual attention, and supportive feedback at all levels, in all genres of creative writing. Please visit The Writer's Spotlight page to learn ...
Writers.com has been in the business of online creative writing classes for adults since 1995, and in that time, we've helped thousands of writers find, sharpen, and share their voices with the world. Whether you want to write for your own wellbeing, get into an MFA program, or publish with the Big 5, our online writing classes for adults are ...
Here are a few free online writing courses you can consider: Coursera: Founded by Stanford professors, Coursera offers many free creative writing classes, such as creative nonfiction, on top of many other subjects. These free video lectures and online assignments are on-demand at your leisure.
As a creative writing course with extensive hands-on projects, each specialization will teach you how to master a different writing technique that successful writers use in the three major writing genres. There are more than 113,000 students already enrolled in this set of courses, and for a good reason. The course structure has helped many ...
3 Tips for Choosing the Best Creative Writing Classes. Tip 1: Choose a course that offers knowledge specific to your stage in the writing process. Tip 2: Choose a course taught by experienced instructors. Tip 3: Choose a course that fosters a love of writing and writers. Introducing Fictionary Live!:
For writers in the US: Writer's Market 2020. Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book. A comprehensive directory of 29 adult writing classes in 2024, vetted by the team at Reedsy. Filter for the perfect writing course by genre, location, and more!
Choose from writing courses in creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, memoir, magazine writing, travel writing, the short story and more. Stanford Continuing Studies offers writing workshops and online and on-campus writing courses, so you can choose the format that best fits your schedule.
The certificate program in Creative Writing is a 33-credit program designed to help students grow as writers and readers. Guided by our accomplished faculty, students will take a sequence of literature and creative writing courses, have opportunities to interact with visiting writers, and attend readings, workshops, festivals and other special events.
Annual Writers Studio. 4-day in-person, intensive workshops in Creative Writing & Screenwriting. Perfect for both aspiring and experienced writers looking for new inspiration. August 1-4, 2024. Registration opens Monday, February 5.
Creative writing uses literary devices like metaphor and symbolism to create an emotional experience for the reader. In non-creative writing, factual clarity is the primary goal, which often means using direct language and avoiding emotion or bias. For example, a novel is creative writing. A newspaper article is not.
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. On Skillshare, you'll find inspiration from hands-on classes and teachers at the top of their creative fields, so you can take the next step in your creative ...
Creative Writing courses. Whether you're looking to develop your own writing skills and editorial practice for your profession or for purely personal interest, our creative writing courses have much to offer you. Choose below from our range of qualifications. Creative Writing Degrees. Stage 1 120 credits. Stage 2 120 credits. Stage 3 120 credits.
Fiction: Creative Writing Workshop 1 Overview. Fiction Creative Writing Workshop. Learning Outcomes. To promote writing of fictions by the students, to encourage self-criticism and revision, to create a dialogue among them about fiction-writing and each other's work. Skills. Development of creative-writing skills in the genre of fiction.