Photo credit: www.classcentral.com
As someone who has always been passionate about literature, I embarked on a personal challenge in 2010 by joining NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), where participants are tasked with completing a 50,000-word draft in just 30 days. Although I have managed to finish this challenge on two occasions since then, the journey has been immensely rewarding. It has allowed me to engage with a vibrant community of fellow writers, both online and in real-world settings.
From my experiences, I firmly believe that creative writing is a skill that can be cultivated and refined like any other discipline. Traditionally linked with literature, creative writing is now gaining recognition as a vital component across various writing styles, spanning from copywriting and storytelling to poetry and novels. Its potential to engage readers and enhance the power of written communication is remarkable.
If you’re looking for quality online Creative Writing courses and resources, you’ve landed in the right place. This Best Courses Guide (BCG) is compiled from Class Central’s extensive catalog of over 800 Creative Writing courses, selected based on a thorough methodology outlined in the following sections.
For quick access, here are the shortcuts for more information:
Top Recommendations
Select any link below to jump directly to the course details:
Understanding Creative Writing
Creative writing represents a genre of writing designed to elicit emotions and provoke thoughts in its audience. This form of expression transcends conventional literature by focusing on narrative construction, character development, and the incorporation of literary techniques and poetic elements. Creative writing is employed in various formats, including novels, poems, screenplays, and theatrical works. In this guide, I will explore some of its most engaging aspects.
Fostering Resilience and Creativity Through Writing
Studies have shown that the neurological processes of seasoned writers differ significantly from those of beginners. Furthermore, creative writing can enhance resilience among students, as detailed in various research findings. To fully leverage the advantages of writing, it’s essential to establish a routine of jotting down your thoughts and ideas, which can assist in overcoming creative blocks.
The power of creative writing extends to various settings, including prisons where platforms like PEN America provide inmates with tools for self-expression, helping them integrate into the broader literary landscape.
Creative writing can be mastered through practice, with techniques such as the ABDCE structure, various narrative perspectives, and the principles of “show, don’t tell.” These methods can be easily learned through the online offerings available in this guide.
Course Inventory
Collectively, these courses have amassed over 2.4 million enrollments and views, with Skillshare contributing two highly rated options. The standout course has nearly 400k participants, and there are three entirely free or free-to-audit courses available.
Renowned author and instructor, Brandon Sanderson, captivates learners with his engaging teaching style. He offers a thorough creative writing course on YouTube, initially presented at Brigham Young University, encompassing essential skills beneficial to both novice and experienced writers. This course is extensive, featuring high-quality audio and video materials.
Each video focuses on a specific writing tool or technique, allowing you to focus on your preferred topic or proceed in sequence. I suggest taking your time to explore the content, trying out different concepts, and potentially collaborating with a writing buddy or group for practice.
Key learning outcomes include:
- Constructing plots, developing characters, and telling engaging stories
- Techniques for creating immersive worlds and authentic perspectives
- Insights into the publishing landscape tailored for new writers
- Strategies for writing captivating short stories that can lead to larger projects
“Very informative! As a beginner interested in video game writing, this class provided a wealth of tools for understanding narrative structure and organizing my ideas!” – Paige Webster
Institution: Brigham Young University
Provider: YouTube
Instructor: Brandon Sanderson
Level: Beginner
Workload: 15 hours
Views: 2.4M
Class Central Rating: 5/5 (10 reviews)
Certificate: None
Another notable course is Creative Writing offered by Wesleyan University, aimed at individuals seeking to enhance their storytelling capabilities, character creation, and personal style. Each module includes writing exercises for enrolled learners and features valuable interviews with experienced writers. If you struggle with organization, this course could be particularly beneficial.
Learning outcomes encompass:
- Strategies for creating an engaging narrative with compelling characters and settings
- Fresh descriptive techniques to enhance your writing style
- Skills for critiquing peer writing constructively
- Process for drafting, revising, and completing an original work in your chosen genre
While the peer-review process may lack depth, the assignments are well-constructed and easy to evaluate, providing useful feedback from fellow participants.
“Great insights into plot and scene structure. The revision strategies were new to me – thank you! The assignments were challenging yet helpful in sharpening my craft.” – Laura B, Coursera learner
Institution: Wesleyan University
Provider: Coursera
Instructors: Brando Skyhorse, Amity Gaige, Amy Bloom, Salvatore Scibona
Level: Beginner
Workload: 40 hours
Cost: Free-to-audit
Enrollments: 139K
Rating: 4.7 (5K)
Certificate: Yes, for a fee
Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood, often referred to as the “Prophet of Dystopia,” offers a masterclass on creative writing that provides insights into her storytelling philosophy. Atwood’s course emphasizes not only developing strong narrative frameworks but also crafting nuanced characters, making it an invaluable resource for aspiring writers.
While MasterClass operates on a subscription basis and does not sell individual courses, subscribing grants you access to a vast range of writing classes, including those by thriller novelist Dan Brown and bestselling author James Patterson. If considering a subscription, you may find a wealth of valuable resources throughout their library.
By completing this course, you will learn how to:
- Identify your unique writing voice and conquer challenges like writer’s block
- Develop compelling storylines by analyzing myths and historical literature
- Create intricate narratives by mastering structure and point of view
- Build well-rounded characters through detailed descriptions and genuine dialogue
- Understand the revision process and the significance of feedback
Provider: MasterClass
Instructor: Margaret Atwood
Level: Beginner
Workload: Approximately 4 hours of lectures
Certificate: Yes, for a fee
Another course to consider is COMPLETE Creative Writing – All Genres, designed by Trace Crawford. This comprehensive 12-hour course includes 145 downloadable resources, guiding learners through fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction to foster writing success.
Key insights include:
- The four primary genres of creative writing: fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction
- How to discover and cultivate your distinct writing voice
- Targeted writing assignments aimed at skill development
- Techniques and literary devices to elevate your writing
- Publishing opportunities and crafting a professional writing portfolio
This course is practical and includes assignments that are reviewed by Crawford, though feedback timelines may vary.
“The short theoretical snippets paired with concise assignments complement my learning style. Despite having not written creatively recently, this course motivated me to establish a writing foundation, and it’s genuinely enjoyable if you commit to it.” – Nikolaos-Stylianos Z., Udemy learner
Provider: Udemy
Instructor: Trace Crawford
Level: Beginner
Workload: 12 hours
Assignments: 37 quizzes and writing exercises
Enrollments: 37K
Rating: 4.6 (4.77K)
Certificate: Available for a fee
Creative Writing for All: A 10-Day Journaling Challenge, led by Emily Gould, is a charming and engaging option for those looking to overcome writer’s block. This course invites participants to document their thoughts over ten days, utilizing prompts and examples designed to ignite creativity and expression.
As the shortest course listed, it emphasizes journaling as an effective method for maintaining a writing habit. With a Skillshare subscription, you can access not only this challenge but also a variety of other intriguing courses, such as Writing Suspense and The Writer’s Toolkit.
Provider: Skillshare
Instructor: Emily Gould
Level: Beginner
Workload: 26 minutes
Enrollments: 58K
Rating: 99% (1K)
Certificate: Available for a fee
For a distinctive approach, Shaun Levin’s course, Short Story Writing: Create Fiction from Personal Experience, focuses on harnessing personal experiences to craft compelling fictional narratives. This technique allows for deeper authenticity in storytelling.
The course is practical, featuring techniques and exercises aimed at helping you translate your imagination into meaningful stories. Learners will produce a final project receiving feedback from Shaun and peers. You can also explore submitted projects for additional insights on the course page.
Provider: Domestika
Instructor: Shaun Levin
Level: Beginner
Workload: 2 hours
Enrollments: 33K
Rating: 99% (798)
Certificate: Available for a fee
Writing: The Craft of Story, conducted by Lisa Cron, explores the essential elements of storytelling through engaging lectures. This course emphasizes how to captivate readers by leveraging their psychological responses, focusing on aspects like suspense and character dilemmas.
Upon completing the coursework and quizzes, participants will earn a certificate for their LinkedIn profiles, and all course videos can be accessed without subscription.
“Understanding the fundamentals of storytelling was an intriguing venture, and I would unequivocally recommend this course to anyone interested in learning how to convey emotional narratives.” – Nicole Gillard, LinkedIn learner.
Provider: LinkedIn Learning
Instructor: Lisa Cron
Level: Beginner
Workload: 1-2 hours of content
Enrollments: 218K
Rating: 4.7 (850)
Certificate: Available for a fee
Roxane Gay’s master class on Creative Writing: Crafting Personal Essays with Impact empowers writers to explore their stories with authenticity. It includes eight video lessons that blend practical advice with actionable tactics, guiding participants from conception to a polished final piece ready for publication.
Key skills taught in this class include:
- Defining the purpose behind your writing
- Contextualizing your work within broader conversations and timely issues
- Conducting necessary research to enhance your narrative
- Navigating personal memories to articulate your truth
- Crafting and refining your final draft for publication
Additionally, the course provides support materials to assist you in your continued creative nonfiction writing journey. For more options, consider Susan Orlean’s Skillshare course, Creative Nonfiction: Write Truth with Style.
Provider: Skillshare
Instructor: Roxane Gay
Level: Beginner
Workload: 1 hour
Enrollments: 45K
Rating: 100% (1.2K)
Certificate: Available for a fee
Start Writing Fiction is a comprehensive exploration of the creative process encompassing journaling, idea formation, reflection, and editing. Featuring insights from established authors, this course reveals their writing rituals and techniques for transforming events into narrative arcs.
Participants will engage in critiques of peers’ work, allowing for feedback exchange, making it suitable for anyone eager to enhance their fiction writing skills regardless of previous experience.
Learning objectives include:
- Character creation in fiction
- Diverse sources and presentations of characterization
- Reading with a writer’s perspective
- Practicing creativity, research, observation, and editing
- Encouraging peer reviews, workshops, and feedback mechanisms
“This course comprehensively addresses character development, observation, inspiration, and the writing and editing processes. Peer reviews vary in quality, but I was fortunate to receive constructive feedback from some reviewers.” – Pat Bowden
Institution: The Open University
Provider: Future Learn
Instructor: Derek Neale
Level: Beginner
Workload: 24 hours
Enrollments: 400K learners
Rating: 4.7 (936)
Certificate: Available for a fee
Looking Ahead
Scribophile serves as one of the largest online writing communities, where users can exchange feedback and participate in writing groups. Joining with a free plan requires users to earn points through reviewing others’ work before submitting their own. The platform also offers advanced tools for evaluating writing and provides guidelines to ensure meaningful feedback is exchanged.
NaNoWriMo originally started as a month-long challenge encouraging individuals to write their first drafts while connecting with fellow writers either online or in their areas. While November remains a peak month for participation, the organization now facilitates year-round writing challenges, fostering real-life connections with a diverse group of writers. Over the years, I have formed lasting friendships, including with several professional authors who supported our local initiatives.
If you have additional resources you believe would be beneficial to this guide, please feel free to comment below.
Why You Can Rely On This Guide
Class Central, often referred to as the “Tripadvisor for online education,” has assisted over 100 million learners in navigating their educational paths. With over a decade of experience aggregating a catalog of 250,000 online courses and user-written reviews, our team is composed of enthusiastic online learners who have collectively completed more than 400 courses, including full online degrees.
Selecting and Evaluating Our Recommendations
Finding the “best” courses can be overwhelming, even for seasoned online learners. Here’s how I approached the selection process.
Initially, I searched through Class Central’s catalog along with various online sources to identify a range of free and paid courses, some offering certificates. It is important to note that one does not need to enroll in a degree-granting institution to delve into creative writing.
During my selection process, I considered several key factors:
- Reputable Institutions: I prioritized courses offered by well-known institutions in the field of creative writing
- Instructor Expertise: I sought instructors with significant experience in creative writing and engaging teaching styles
- Popularity Metrics: I reviewed enrollment numbers and views to identify widely appreciated courses
- Course Diversity: I ensured the courses covered various topics and presentation formats, ranging from foundational to advanced content. I also previewed some course videos for additional context
- User Feedback: I examined learner reviews when available to gauge course quality, leveraging thousands of ratings and reviews from Class Central’s extensive database
I then refined my selections based on the understanding that creative writing encompasses many topics, choosing top courses across different areas of the discipline.
This approach, combining objective data and personal insights, has led me to confidently recommend these courses as reliable avenues for learning about creative writing.
Source
www.classcentral.com