creative writing 101 course

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Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing 101

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions.

Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action beneficial to the writer, creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

There are two kinds of creative writing: good and bad, effective and ineffective. Bad, ineffective creative writing cannot make any impression on the reader. It won’t achieve its purpose.

So whether you’re a novelist, a poet, a short-story writer, an essayist, a biographer or an aspiring beginner, you want to improve your craft. The question is: how?

When you write great fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, amazing things can happen. Readers can’t put it down. The work you wrote becomes a bestseller. It becomes famous. But you have to reach to that level… first .

The best way to increase your proficiency in creative writing is to write, write compulsively, but it doesn’t mean write whatever you want. There are certain things you should know first… it helps to start with the right foot.

To do exactly that, here we have a beginners’ guide from Writers’ Treasure on the subject:

• An Introduction to Creative Writing
• How to Get Started in Creative Writing in Just Three Steps
• Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
• Fiction Writing 101: The Elements of Stories
• Poetry Writing: Forms and Terms Galore
• Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?
• Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
• Common Mistakes Made by Creative Writers

For novelists: do you want to write compelling opening chapters?

Are you an aspiring novelist? Will your novel see the light of day? For that, you will need to make the first chapter of your story as compelling as possible. Otherwise, readers won’t even pick up your novel. That chapter can be the make-or-break point that decides whether your novel is published or not. It’s because good editors know how you write from the first three pages… or sometimes even from the opening lines.

To solve this problem, I created a five-part tutorial on Writing Compelling Opening Chapters . It outlines why you need to write a compelling opening chapter, my personal favourite way of beginning it, what should be told and shown in it, general dos and don’ts, and what you need to do after having written it. Check it out for more.

Need more writing tips?

Sometimes you reach that stage when you outgrow the beginner stage of writing but feel that you’re not yet an expert. If I just described you, no worries– Writers’ Treasure’s writing tips are here. Whether you want to make your writing more readable, more irresistible, more professional, we’ve got you covered. So check out our writing tips , and be on your way to fast track your success.

I offer writing, editing and proofreading , as well as website creation services. I’ve been in this field for seven years, and I know the tools of the trade. I’ve seen the directions where the writing industry is going, the changes, the new platforms. Get your work done through me, and get fast and efficient service. Get a quote .

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Creative Writing 101

This course is the perfect way to kick-start or revitalise your fiction writing. We’ll start by looking at getting inspired and finding your voice, before moving on to in-depth tutorials on how to build great characters, how to structure short stories, and how to draft and edit your work. 

Outcome: You’ll finish the course feeling inspired and energised about writing, and with your own 3,000 word short story, ready to share with readers and maybe even to submit to journals and competitions! 

Course Instructor: Naomi Ishiguro

Naomi Ishiguro was born in London, in 1992. Her first novel, Common Ground, was published by Tinder Press in March 2021. Her first collection of stories, Escape Routes, was published in February 2020. She’s a graduate of the University of East Anglia’s MFA Creative Writing Programme, and spent two years in her early 20s working as a bookseller. Naomi currently teaches regular creative writing courses for children with All Write Now, and has run numerous creative writing workshops for adults, undergraduates and teenagers.

Welcome Section

Welcome to creative writing 101, reading list, links and resources, week one: getting inspired, and finding your voice, week one tutorial, week one video, week two: crafting characters to fall in love with, week two tutorial, week two video, week three: getting to grips with plot and structure, week three tutorial, week three video, week four: writing and drafting, and building in detail and specificity, week four tutorial, week four video.

Gotham Writers

Creative writing 101 intensive.

The Creative Writing 101 Intensive happens in a short time span (1 day in NYC, or 2 days on Zoom). The course includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. It’s open to writers of any level. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.

Are you eager to test the waters of creative writing but not sure where to start, or how? Have you written previously but been away for a while and hope to dip back in?

Here you will be guided surely and safely into the writing life. There’s no pressure to work on a specific project or even settle on which type of creative writing you prefer. The idea is to explore—see with a writer’s eyes, spark ideas to life, gain confidence, and experiment with both fiction and nonfiction.

Creative writing is one of the most fulfilling ways to express yourself, and you’re never too young or too old to give it a try. Come on in. The water’s fine.

This course is suitable for anyone interested in creative writing. It serves all levels. Brand new, rusty, even intermediate. I recommend this course if you want practice writing in a supportive, fun community.

Sophia Holly

yoga teacher/non-profit programs manager

This course includes both fiction and nonfiction prose.

The 101 courses do not include workshopping of student projects, but students write and receive feedback on writing exercises and assignments.

Upcoming Classes

This course gives an overview of creativity in writing fiction and nonfiction. Course components:      Brief lectures      Writing exercises

Topics:      Observation/Imagination/Language      Show and Tell      Individuality      Fiction      Nonfiction      Getting Better Note: Content may vary among individual classes.

Related Courses

Fiction writing i.

The fascinating craft of fiction—literary, commercial, or genre.

Memoir Writing I

True stories about aspects of the writer’s life, whether essay or book-length.

Creative Nonfiction 101

A great entry point for the creative forms of nonfiction—memoir, essay, feature articles, reviews, etc.

Children’s Book Writers Conference

September 28-29

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ON-CAMPUS WRITING COURSES

Online creative writing.

The flexibility of the online format makes it easy to take Continuing Studies Creative Writing courses taught by instructors from Stanford's writing community. These courses are designed to fit into your schedule. You can log into our classes from any computer with Internet access, anywhere and at any time.   Our online creative writing courses are presented in a clear, straightforward format and contain the elements you look for in a live class, including writing lessons and exercises, as well as feedback from an experienced instructor and fellow students.   Courses are open to all adults, and we encourage all levels of writers to enroll. Whether you are just starting to write, or finishing up your novel, you will find a course suited to your level of experience. Students will benefit from sharing their work with an eclectic community of writers—writers from many locations, with diverse backgrounds and writing styles.   We keep class sizes small to ensure you get the individual attention you need. With limited spots available, classes fill quickly. So we encourage you to register today.   To learn more about our online Creative Writing courses,  read the FAQs  and  view student testimonials .

ONLINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN NOVEL WRITING

Creative Writing 101: Everything You Need to Get Started

Creative writing: You can take classes in it, you can earn a degree in it, but the only things you really need to do it are your creative thinking and writing tools. Creative writing is the act of putting your imagination on a page. It’s artistic expression in words; it’s writing without the constraints that come with other kinds of writing like persuasive or expository. 

Write with originality Grammarly helps you refine your word choice Write with Grammarly

What is creative writing?

Creative writing is writing meant to evoke emotion in a reader by communicating a theme. In storytelling (including literature, movies, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, and many video games), the theme is the central meaning the work communicates. 

Take the movie (and the novel upon which it’s based) Jaws , for instance. The story is about a shark that terrorizes a beach community and the men tasked with killing the shark. But the film’s themes include humanity’s desire to control nature, tradition vs. innovation, and how potential profit can drive people in power to make dangerous, even fatal, decisions. 

A theme isn’t the only factor that defines creative writing. Here are other components usually found in creative writing:

• Connecting, or at least attempting to connect, with the reader’s emotions
• Writing from a specific point of view
• A narrative structure can be complex or simple and serves to shape how the reader interacts with the content.
• Using imaginative and/or descriptive language

Creative writing typically uses literary devices like metaphors and foreshadowing to build a narrative and express the theme, but this isn’t a requirement. Neither is dialogue, though you’ll find it used in most works of fiction. Creative writing doesn’t have to be fictional, either. Dramatized presentations of true stories, memoirs, and observational humor pieces are all types of creative writing. 

What isn’t creative writing?

In contrast, research papers aren’t creative writing. Neither are analytical essays, persuasive essays , or other kinds of academic writing . Similarly, personal and professional communications aren’t considered creative writing—so your emails, social media posts, and official company statements are all firmly in the realm of non-creative writing. These kinds of writing convey messages, but they don’t express themes. Their goals are to inform and educate, and in some cases collect information from, readers. But even though they can evoke emotion in readers, that isn’t their primary goal. 

But what about things like blog posts? Or personal essays? These are broad categories, and specific pieces in these categories can be considered creative writing if they meet the criteria listed above. This blog post, for example, is not a piece of creative writing as it aims to inform, but a blog post that walks its reader through a first-person narrative of an event could be deemed creative writing. 

Types of creative writing

Creative writing comes in many forms. These are the most common:

Novels originated in the eighteenth century . Today, when people think of books, most think of novels. 

A novel is a fictional story that’s generally told in 60,000 to 100,000 words, though they can be as short as 40,000 words or go beyond 100,000. 

Stories that are too short to be novels, but can’t accurately be called short stories, are often referred to as novellas. Generally, a story between 10,000 and 40,000 words is considered a novella. You might also run into the term “ novelette ,” which is used to refer to stories that clock in between 7,500 and 19,000 words. 

Short stories

Short stories are fictional stories that fall generally between 5,000 and 10,000 words. Like novels, they tell complete stories and have at least one character, some sort of conflict, and at least one theme. 

When a story is less than 1,000 words, it’s categorized as a work of flash fiction.

Poetry can be hard to define because as a genre, it’s so open-ended. A poem doesn’t have to be any specific length. It doesn’t have to rhyme. There are many different kinds of poems from cultures all over the world, like sonnets, haikus, sestinas, blank verse, limericks, and free verse. 

The rules of poetry are generally flexible . . . unless you’re writing a specific type of poem, like a haiku , that has specific rules around the number of lines or structure. But while a poem isn’t required to conform to a specific length or formatting, or use perfect grammar , it does need to evoke its reader’s emotions, come from a specific point of view, and express a theme. 

And when you set a poem to music, you’ve got a song. 

Plays, TV scripts, and screenplays

Plays are meant to be performed on stage. Screenplays are meant to be made into films, and TV scripts are meant to be made into television programs. Scripts for videos produced for other platforms fit into this category as well. 

Plays, TV scripts, and screenplays have a lot in common with novels and short stories. They tell stories that evoke emotion and express themes. The difference is that they’re meant to be performed rather than read and as such, they tend to rely much more on dialogue because they don’t have the luxury of lengthy descriptive passages. But scriptwriters have more than just dialogue to work with; writing a play or script also involves writing stage or scene directions.

Each type of script has its own specific formatting requirements. 

Creative nonfiction

Creative nonfiction covers all the kinds of creative writing that aren’t fiction. Here are some examples:

• Personal essays: A personal essay is a true story told through a narrative framework. Often, recollections of events are interspersed with insights about those events and your personal interpretations and feelings about them in this kind of essay. 
• Literary journalism: Think of literary journalism as journalism enhanced by creative writing techniques. These are the kinds of stories often published in outlets like The New Yorker and Salon. Literary journalism pieces report on factual events but do so in a way that makes them feel like personal essays and short stories. 
• Memoirs: Memoirs are to personal essays what novels are to short stories. In other words, a memoir is a book-length collection of personal memories, often centering around a specific story, that often works opinions, epiphanies, and emotional insights into the narrative. 
• Autobiographies: An autobiography is a book you write about yourself and your life. Often, autobiographies highlight key events and may focus on one particular aspect of the author’s life, like her role as a tech innovator or his career as a professional athlete. Autobiographies are often similar in style to memoirs, but instead of being a collection of memories anchored to specific events, they tend to tell the author’s entire life story in a linear narrative. 
• Humor writing: Humor writing comes in many forms, like standup comedy routines, political cartoons, and humorous essays. 
• Lyric essays: In a lyric essay, the writer breaks conventional grammar and stylistic rules when writing about a concept, event, place, or feeling. In this way, lyric essays are like essay-length poems. The reason they’re considered essays, and not long poems, is that they generally provide more direct analysis of the subject matter than a poem would. 

Tips for writing creatively

Give yourself time and space for creative writing.

It’s hard to write a poem during your lunch break or work on your memoir between calls. Don’t make writing more difficult for yourself by trying to squeeze it into your day. Instead, block off time to focus solely on creative writing, ideally in a distraction-free environment like your bedroom or a coffee shop. 

>>Read More: How to Create Your Very Own Writing Retreat

Get to know yourself as a writer

The more you write, the more in tune you’ll become with your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. You’ll identify the kinds of characters, scenes, language, and pieces you like writing best and determine where you struggle the most. Understanding what kind of writer you are can help you decide which kinds of projects to pursue. 

Challenge yourself 

Once you know which kinds of writing you struggle with, do those kinds of writing. If you only focus on what you’re good at, you’ll never grow as a writer. Challenge yourself to write in a different genre or try a completely new type of writing. For example, if you’re a short story writer, give poetry or personal essays a try. 

Need help getting started? Give one (or all!) of these 20 fun writing prompts a try .

Learn from other writers

There are lots of resources out there about creative writing. Read and watch them. If there’s a particular writer whose work you enjoy, seek out interviews with them and personal essays they’ve written about their creative processes. 

>>Read More: How to Be a Master Storyteller—Tips from 5 Experts 

Don’t limit yourself to big-name writers, either. Get involved in online forums, social media groups, and if possible, in-person groups for creative writers. By doing this, you’re positioning yourself to learn from writers from all different walks of life . . . and help other writers, too. 

I wrote something. Where do I go from here?

Give yourself a pat on the back: You did it! You finished a piece of creative writing—something many attempt, but not quite as many achieve. 

What comes next is up to you. You can share it with your friends and family, but you don’t have to. You can post it online or bring it to an in-person writing group for constructive critique. You can even submit it to a literary journal or an agent to potentially have it published, but if you decide to take this route, we recommend working with an editor first to make it as polished as possible. 

Some writers are initially hesitant to share their work with others because they’re afraid their work will be stolen. Although this is a possibility, keep in mind that you automatically hold the copyright for any piece you write. If you’d like, you can apply for copyright protection to give yourself additional legal protection against plagiarizers, but this is by no means a requirement. 

Write with originality

Grammarly can’t help you be more creative, but we can help you hone your writing so your creativity shines as brightly as possible. Once you’ve written your piece, Grammarly can catch any mistakes you made and suggest strong word choices that accurately express your message. 

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Creative writing courses delivered straight to your inbox

Whether you’re a new writer or a published author, there’s no such thing as a writer who can’t learn something new about their craft. Reedsy Learning’s online writing courses make it easy for anyone, regardless of skill level, to improve their craft, build better routines, and pursue the creative writing life they’ve always longed for.

Learn from the best in the business

Our online writing courses are taught by professionals, including bestselling fantasy author Ben Galley and former Simon & Schuster editor Kate Angelella. Topics include:

We’ve got you covered on all these topics and more. Each 10-part course is delivered to your inbox, making these the most convenient creative writing courses on the internet. By saving both time and money, you’ll be able to reinvest in your dreams and get one step closer toward making them a reality.

How much does it cost?

Every writing course we offer is free. At Reedsy, we believe that knowledge shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford to pay for it — if you want to be a great writer, we want to help you achieve that.

Reviews for Reedsy’s free online writing courses

“I'm hooked. As a writer just starting out, this course was exactly what I needed. The lessons were short and sweet, so I wasn't intimidated when I opened my emails.” — Amy S.

“A very comprehensive course, especially considering that it's been delivered fully in an email format. I felt like I was there in the classroom with the teacher.” — Lucy T.

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“The information you provided was exceptional. So much packed into one bite-sized email each day is definitely what time-strapped people need when trying to jump the hurdles that keep them from writing. These lessons have helped me push through several roadblocks that have kept my writing books closed and my pens in the box.” — Paul D.

“The lessons are short and divided into smaller topics, which makes it so much easier to keep track of what you’re learning.” — Cindy L.

“I am a short fiction and poetry writer who’s been writing for 50+ years. I found these courses to be invaluable as a refresher and a source of new insights. Thank you!” — Steve M.

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Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

This course is part of Creative Writing Specialization

Financial aid available

301,632 already enrolled

(4,786 reviews)

Skills you'll gain

• Short Story Writing
• Fiction Writing
• Copy Editing

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end.

Plotting a Course

In this module, we'll learn essentials about plot definitions and mechanics. What is plot? How does plot shape a narrative? What makes a strong plot? How is plot different from a story? We'll also discuss how plot works in actual books you're probably familiar with, such as the Harry Potter series, how character and action equals plot, and the five key questions you should ask yourself when creating a dynamic character.

What's included

4 videos 2 readings 1 peer review

4 videos • Total 26 minutes

• What Is Plot? • 7 minutes • Preview module
• How Plot Works in Harry Potter • 8 minutes
• Character + Action = Plot • 7 minutes
• Feedback Expectations for the Specialization • 2 minutes

2 readings • Total 4 minutes

• A Note on Assignments • 1 minute
• Promo Codes • 3 minutes

1 peer review • Total 60 minutes

• The Escalator • 60 minutes

The Power of Structure

In this module we're going to learn what story structure is and how by understanding structure you can learn how to sequence the events in your plot to help maximize your own storytelling abilities.We'll talk about Freytag's pyramid, the five act structure, how that structure can be found in works of classic literature, and have a conversation about how structure and outlines can help organize the stories you want to tell.

3 videos 1 peer review

3 videos • Total 22 minutes

• What Is Structure? • 7 minutes • Preview module
• ABDCE Structure Examples from Famous Works of Literature • 7 minutes
• Visiting Writer: A Conversation with Douglas Martin • 7 minutes
• What's Up, Doc? • 60 minutes

A Scene in Motion

Scenes are the building blocks of storytelling. But what is a scene? And how does a scene move plot forward? In this module we'll learn about the difference between telling and showing, the five key elements each scene should have, offer some examples of effective scenes, and have a conversation about how setting and description can make a scene come alive.

3 videos • Total 26 minutes

• What Is a Scene? • 7 minutes • Preview module
• Examples of Effective Scenes • 8 minutes
• Shop Talk with Amity Gaige • 10 minutes
• Show, Don't Tell • 60 minutes

This modules deals with the specifics of editing and revising your work. This process of revision starts with the first draft (which will now become your second draft) and continues until the manuscript’s ready to send to an agent. Included here are a twenty-one point checklist on what to do once you have a completed first draft, and conversations about creating characters with strong motivations, and how to define language that gets rewritten vs language that gets cut.

4 videos 1 peer review

4 videos • Total 31 minutes

• Editing and Revision • 7 minutes • Preview module
• Shop Talk with Amy Bloom • 10 minutes
• Shop Talk with Salvatore Scibona • 10 minutes
• The 21st Point • 3 minutes
• The Whole Story • 60 minutes

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

Wesleyan University

Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

Capstone: Your Story

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4,786 reviews

Reviewed on Dec 7, 2020

Course is great, very clear and focused tips to improve one's writing. The peer-review is not that good and there is no instructor's evaluation and feedback. I understand that would be a lot of work.

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2018

Great information about plot and scene structure. The information about revision was entirely new to me - thank you! The exercises were good and difficult in a good way that helped me hone my writing.

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2021

The course videos are very instructive and useful, while the assignments put the wealth of knowledge into practice. They can be quite challenging but completing them is very rewarding experience.

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Frequently asked questions

When will i have access to the lectures and assignments.

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.

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Best Creative Writing Courses Compared

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Taking a creative writing course will help you to become a better writer. It will teach you how to tell a story, write descriptively, and produce publication-worthy work. The best creative writing courses offer a robust curriculum, include assessments to measure your progress, and are taught by industry experts. We spent dozens of hours comparing hundreds of courses to bring you the cream of the crop. We found the best option for most people to be Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling due to its impressive curriculum, value for money, and award-winning instructor. 

The Best Creative Writing Course for Most

Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling

Best for most.

Two words will tell you why you want to take this course: Neil Gaiman. He’s one of the biggest storytelling titans of the last 30 years and one of the most well-known fantasy authors alive. And he’s your teacher. Enough said.

Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling by MasterClass is hands-down the best course for most. Taught by award-winning author Neil Gaiman, this course takes you on a journey to unleash your creative writing talents. You’ll walk away with a complete understanding of the key fundamentals of creative writing. You’ll learn how to find your unique voice, develop original ideas, and bring your characters to life. 

This course is self-paced and the content is delivered over five hours of video learning. A MasterClass subscription is required to undertake this course, but once subscribed, you’ll have access to the course content for one year, alongside the opportunity to take on other expert-led courses. 

The Best Creative Writing Courses to Consider

• Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling (MasterClass) — Best for Most
• Creative Non-Fiction Writing – You Can’t Make This Stuff Up (Udemy) — Best for Creative Non-Fiction
• Beginning Writer’s Workshop (ed2go) — Best for Beginners
• Creative Writing Specialization (Coursera) — Best Free Course
• Creative Writing 101 (Gotham Writers) — Best Live Experience

When It Makes Sense to Invest Into a Creative Writing Course

Many people think that creative writing courses are only for those who want to write novels or fictional stories. But the truth is, creative writing courses focus on exploring underlying principles of good writing. They can teach you how to write just about anything, better. Whether you’re writing a blog post, newsletter, business plan, screenplay, script, social media content, or advertisement, your writing capabilities are crucial to the success of that piece. 

If you’re not sold on whether a creative writing course is a worthy investment, there are some great free courses out there to get you started. However, as with anything free, these courses can be somewhat limited. 

With this in mind, if you’re serious about improving your writing skills, investing in a course is important. A few occasions where it will make sense to invest in a creative writing course include: 

• When you’ve taken a long break from writing and need to be reacquainted with writing basics
• When you’ve started a new role in which you’re required to write content you’ve never written before
• When you need help organizing and outlining your ideas
• When you’re pivoting from nonfiction report writing to a creative genre of writing
• When you’re moving from full-time employment to write as a freelance or contract writer
• When you need assistance overcoming writer’s block and would like to establish better writing habits

#1 – Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling – MasterClass — The Best for Most

MasterClass is an online learning platform featuring courses from world-renowned experts. Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking, Alicia Keys teaches songwriting and producing, and Serena Williams teaches tennis. You get the point. Your instructor is not only a true expert in their field but also someone who is widely respected in their industry. 

With this in mind, where better to learn creative writing than MasterClass, specifically from Neil Gaiman and his course on The Art of Storytelling . Neil Gaiman is an award-winning author who teaches his students his personal approach to imaginative storytelling. 

This course is our top pick due to its robust curriculum that explores the key fundamentals of writing over nearly five hours of video content. You’ll learn how to make your story feel real, where to find inspiration, and how to find your voice. You’ll even learn how to edit your own work and how to find the balance between humility and confidence in your writing.

Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling is a self-paced course so you can start it at any time and work at your own pace. It does mean that you won’t receive any feedback on your writing directly from Neil Gaiman. However, you will gain access to the Neil Gaiman MasterClass community which reportedly offers a moderate level of engagement and encouragement from other writers.

To gain access to this course, you will need a MasterClass subscription, which currently costs $120 for the year. However, once subscribed, you’ll have access to:

• All 100+ classes and categories
• PDF workbooks for every class
• Audio-only lessons
• Watch on your desktop, phone, or TV
• Downloadable content to watch offline
• New classes that are added every month

Although Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling is our top pick from MasterClass, there are plenty of other great writing courses that would also make your subscription well worthwhile. 

There is no risk in signing up. If you’re unhappy with the platform, you can receive a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Get started with MasterClass today !

#2 – Creative Non-Fiction Writing – You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! – Udemy — The Best for Creative Non-Fiction

Creative Non-Fiction Writing

Best for creative non-fiction.

From travelogues to true crime stories, creative nonfiction is taking off these days. For a quick but thorough overview of creative nonfiction, taught by a writer with over two decades of experience, check out this Udemy course!

If you’re interested in writing true stories rather than fiction but still want to let some creativity shine through, consider enrolling in Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing – You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!  

This course is an excellent introduction to the world of creative nonfiction. It’s designed on the basis that the secrets to good storytelling apply to all types of writing, not just fiction. It’s suitable for writers of any level who are interested in writing about true crime, memoirs, travel, food, and more. 

Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing course is a fun and practical writing course taught by Trace Crawford–a writer with over 20 years of teaching experience. You’ll be tasked with a series of authentic writing projects designed to target the skills you need to write creatively. It will also teach you: 

• What exactly creative nonfiction is and what it isn’t
• What makes a great storyteller across any genre
• How to effectively utilize descriptive language in your writing
• The importance of making personal experiences feel universal
• How to discover and perfect your own writer’s voice

The only downside to this course is that the video content provided is quite short, totaling just 2 hours of lessons. But where it lacks video content, it provides tons of resources such as actionable assignments, online quizzes, and graphics, notes, and templates, to emphasize your learning. 

One of the things we love most about this course is how cost-effective it is. You can enroll in Udemy’s Creative Non-Fiction Writing course for only $19.99.

#3 – Beginning Writer’s Workshop – ed2go — The Best for Beginners

Beginning Writer’s Workshop

Best for beginners.

Never put pen to paper, but dreaming of authorship? ed2go’s Beginning Writer’s Workshop will get you ready to write in just six weeks, and even includes peer feedback and editing. All for only $115!

If you’re a complete beginner to the world of creative writing, we have the perfect course for you. The Beginning Writer’s Workshop by ed2go is designed to turn a complete beginner into a confident writer with a publication-worthy creative piece within 6 weeks. 

It’s constructed like a true writing workshop. The course includes 24 hours of instructional content delivered over the 6 weeks, with two lessons released each week. Some of the things you’ll learn about include:

• Literary techniques and devices
• The steps required to take your work from the prewriting stage to editing and final revision
• How to create meaningful dialogue
• How to determine the genre of your writing

What we love about the Beginning Writer’s Workshop is that you’ll have the opportunity to gain some constructive feedback from your peers. An entire section of this workshop is dedicated to peer review and editing. Not only will this help to improve your writing and editing skills, but it also provides an opportunity to connect with other writers in your community. 

The only thing we don’t like about this course is that you don’t get lifetime access to the content. Once the lessons are released, you only have 2 weeks to complete those lessons before they are closed off. Furthermore, you must complete the lessons to open up any future lessons. With this in mind, this course is only for those who can wholeheartedly commit to the learning process. 

You can enroll in the Beginning Writer’s Workshop for $115 , with each new course kicking off at the beginning of each month.

#4 – Creative Writing Specialization – Coursera — The Best Free Course

Creative Writing Specialization

Best free course.

Offered in association with Wesleyan University, this Coursera course is a fantastic offering on the fundamentals of writing, including short stories, memoirs, and narrative essays. Audit for free or get full access with your $49 Coursera membership.

Creative Writing Specialization by Coursera offers you the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of creative writing for free. The course is run by Wesleyan University and provides a beginner-level insight into the world of creative writing over approximately 25 hours of course content. 

This Specialization covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoirs. With this in mind, it’s an ideal option for those looking to work as an author, essayist, or blogger, but realistically, the foundations of the course can be put to good practice under most creative writing uses. 

Coursera offers you the option to “audit” the class for free, meaning you can view all of the included videos and reading materials without subscribing to the platform. The upside of this is that you have a great free course which provides insight on how to:

• Develop a story connecting the beginning, middle, and end
• Bring the characters of your story to life
• Create a physical world with sharp, sensory detail
• Refine and edit your story for publication

The downside of the free “audit” is that you won’t have access to interactive experiences such as writing assignments, receiving feedback for your work, or receiving a certificate of Completion for your records.

To gain full access to the course, you can sign up for a Coursera membership for $49 per month. Not sure if it’s worth a try? Coursera offers a 7-day free trial to allow students to try before they buy! 

#5 – Creative Writing 101 – Gotham Writers — Best Live Experience

Creative Writing 101

Best live experience.

If real-time interactions and feedback are important in your learning experiences, Gotham Writers’ six-week Creative Writing 101 course is for you. Its self-paced online version is solid, but its live Zoom-taught method is outstanding for its face-to-face interactivity.

Gotham Writers’ Creative Writing 101 is targeted towards both beginner and intermediate writers. You’ll explore fiction and creative nonfiction, and learn the techniques that go with them. Over six weeks of three-hour live classes, you’ll cover:

• The foundations of creative writing and how to have fun with it
• How to find your individual voice and writing about what you know
• The different types and forms of fiction and how to create a story
• The different types of creative nonfiction writing and how to find nonfiction ideas

What we love most about this course is that you have the opportunity to join an interactive environment, receive constructive feedback, and have your questions answered in real time. You’ll also complete weekly writing tasks to cement your knowledge and get feedback on your work.

We also love that Gotham Writers provides two learning pathways for this course–Online or Zoom. 

The Online course is perfect for those who need more flexibility to learn within their own time. Each class lasts for a week, and you can complete your weekly tasks and interactions any time, day or night. You’ll still receive feedback on your work.

The Zoom classes require students to commit to a specific date and time for each class. You’ll meet your instructor and fellow students in real-time via Zoom. This class allows you to ask questions, interact, and gain valuable insight face-to-face. So if you have the time and opportunity to commit to this type of learning, we highly recommend considering this option.

The Creative Writing 101 course is $309 for the six-week course, regardless of which learning method you choose. Enroll today!

Methodology for Choosing the Best Creative Writing Course

Each of the courses we’ve recommended today has something different to offer. There are tons of great writing courses out there and the best one for you is likely to be different from the best one for me.

No matter which course you decide to do, here are some criteria to keep in mind to ensure you find a course worth your time and money.  

Course Curriculum

There are many different facets to creative writing. Most of the courses we’ve listed here will give you a solid yet general foundation in creative writing. Depending on your goals for undertaking the course, this may be perfect for you. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking to reach specific goals, such as writing a novel or creating a script for a TV show, you are better off sourcing a course with a focused curriculum in these areas. 

When searching for the best creative writing course for you, take an in-depth look at your goals. Ask yourself what specific areas of writing you’re looking to improve. Correlate these goals with the course curriculum to ensure it aligns well with your writing goals. 

The bottom line is, if the course description is vague, it’s likely the course content will be too. 

Instructor Credibility 

The beauty of the internet is that you can learn just about anything. The downside is that you can learn it from anyone . No matter whether you’re undertaking a free or paid course, it’s really important to consider the credibility of the instructor or course creator. 

Key things to consider are whether the instructor has evident experience in creative writing, and whether or not they have been successful in their field. You should also consider whether the instructor has experience in teaching their skills to others. Even the best in their field can have trouble teaching constructively. 

To take this one step further, you should also consider whether the instructor has evident experience in their teaching specialization. For example, if the course specializes in teaching you how to write a novel, but is taught by a successful blog writer, they are likely not the most ideal person for the job. You should look for a course taught by a successful novelist instead.

Commitment Level 

Any course or class, whether it’s taken online or not, requires commitment and dedication to successfully make a difference in your life. 

Most online courses are self-paced, meaning you can work through the material in your own time, taking as long as you need. These types of courses are perfect for those with busy jobs and family commitments. Self-paced courses are ideal for those who have experience with study and the discipline to complete the work.

On the other hand, some courses offer definitive start and end dates and offer a lot less flexibility to your learning. You can expect to receive weekly assignments, attend lessons at certain times, and interact with your classmates. Today’s technology means you can attend these types of courses online and benefit from a full classroom experience without having to go anywhere. Face-to-face courses are perfect for people without study experience or those who want external feedback on their work.

Some courses offer students the option to choose their preferred style. However, if an option is not provided, it’s important to consider this factor before committing to a course you may not be able to keep up with.

The best creative writing course for most is without a doubt Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling . Not only will this course teach you the fundamentals of creative writing, but it will also inspire you to develop your voice. You simply can’t go wrong with learning from an award-winning author!

There are tons of online creative writing courses available and due to the sheer volume, it may be hard to choose the best course for you. However, if you keep our methodology in mind when conducting your own research, and read the course reviews, we are sure you’ll find the best course for your needs.

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If anyone is still struggling to find Sochi Olympics lodging, a boatload has come available on the web, some (not all) of it reasonably priced.

Russian speakers start here: http://www.snimu-v-sochi.ru . This has by far the best selection and the listings are up to date, most posted in the last 72 hours. Almost every listing has a phone number and you are usually talking direct to the landlord, not to middlemen. I selected a hotel room for 4 with fridge, TV and wifi for $180 per night near the beach in Adler, halfway between the Coastal Cluster and the Adler train station where you catch the express train to the Alpine Cluster.

The second site is in English. The selection is smaller but it has a few good ones, and you can do direct bookings via web: www.iha.com. Select “Map search”, then “Russia”, “Southern Federal District”, “Krasnodar Krai” and then “Sochi”.

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10 Things to Do in Sochi If You Love Nature

Host to 2014 Winter Olympics , Sochi is now mostly known for the snowy slopes of Krasnaya Polyana and Rosa Khutor Alpine resort. However, the “Russian Riviera” is much more than a glorified ski-resort. With its picturesque waterfalls and pristine lakes, alpine meadows and spruce-fir forests, snow-capped mountains and dreamy river valleys, Sochi is an ultimate nature lover’s dream.

Aul tkhagapsh.

Founded in the middle of the 19th century, this village only consists of two streets and two lanes. Circled by a picturesque chestnut forest, Aul Tkhagapsh is surrounded by many visually-arresting natural landmarks – a mysterious rock formation called “the canyon of a hundred crying eyes”, beautiful waterfalls with organically formed stone basins and the Tiger cave, which is called so because of the whimsical clay dripstones. Despite its tiny size, the village itself has a lot to offer. You can see the only wooden mosque on the coast, learn about the customs and traditions of the Adyghe people, try on traditional clothes and taste authentic food and local wines.

Aul Tkhagapsh, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

If you love picturesque ancient ruins put the Loo Temple on your must-see list. Drowning in the lush greenery of the Sochi National Park, Loo Temple is the remains of a 10th-century Byzantine temple, that’s been ruined and reconstructed multiple times. The temple was used as a place of worship and a fortification over the years.

Loo Temple, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Aibga Ridge

This spectacular mountain ridge stretches for 23 kilometers and has the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort nestled at its feet. The ridge comprises of 10 peaks, with the four tallest being the best known: Aigba peak I (2391 m), peak II (2450,5 m), peak III (2462,7 m) and Black Pyramid (2375,3 m). Save a day or two to explore the ridge, full of rapid rivers, alpine meadows and waterfalls.

Aibga Ridge, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

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Achepsinskie Waterfalls

To admire the spectacular views that Achepsinskie Waterfalls offer, you’ll have to endure a pretty tiring trekking route through the Achishkho Mountain to the Achipse River. But those striking panoramas are totally worth the sweat and while the trekking may be tough going, it has a very decent infrastructure.

Achipse River, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Khmelevskie Lakes

Located almost 2000 meters above sea level, Khmelevskie Lakes is an alpine lake system, named after the Russian botanist Vikenty Khmelevsky. Spread around emerald-green alpine meadows and surrounded by lush green forests, there are four rather sizable overgrown lakes and a few smaller ones.

Khmelevskie Lake, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Lake Kardyvach

Arguably the most popular tourist spot near Sochi, Lake Kardyvach is simply breathtaking. Situated 44 kilometers from the Krasnaya Polyana resort at the altitude of 1838 meters, the lake stays frozen for seven to eight months a year and even in summer the water temperature is never hotter than 12℃. The water in the lake changes its color depending on the time of year: in spring it turns green and in autumn it becomes dark blue, and no matter what season, it’s unbelievably clear. Lake Kardyvach, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

Akhshtyrskaya Cave

A unique monument of prehistoric architecture, Akhshtyrskaya Cave is set on the right side of Akhshtyrskaya Gorge, about 120m above the Mzymta River and 185m above sea level. The cave begins with a 20m corridor and then gets divided into two halls, 10m and 8m wide. The cave has been heavily explored by archaeologists, who discovered traces of Neanderthal culture dating back to 40,000 BC.

Akhshtyrskaya Cave, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Shakhe River

Sochi’s second most significant river, Shakhe begins high in the mountains and flows down to the Black Sea . 59 kilometers long, the river has some amazing natural attractions in its valley: Dzhegosh Gorge, 33 waterfalls, stone lake basins, ancient oak trees, rare plant life and so much more.

Shakhe River, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Agura Waterfalls and Orlinyye Rocks

This is one of the most exciting hiking routes in the area. Taking you through spruce fir forest, to three cascading waterfalls and the sheer cliffs of the Orlinyye Rocks with head-spinning views. Agura Waterfalls, Bolshoy Sochi, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

Words can’t do justice to the virgin beauty of the Khuko Lake and scientists are still puzzling over the absence of any life in it. Set between Adygea and Krasnodar Krai, the lake offers incredible views of the mountains Fisht, Oshten and Pshekha-Su.

Khaki Lake, Krasnodar Krai,Russia

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A Paradise In The Caucasus: 10 Fun Things To Do In Sochi, Russia

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The land of the Tsars has a city that is sheltered by the beauty of the Caucasus Mountains and the breeze of the Black Sea. As the home of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi was prepared to welcome athletes and crowds of the Games. Today, it has adapted that infrastructure to reinvent itself as a luxury destination for travelers who enjoy the snow.

However, this city was originally the summer destination for Russian emperors and had earned a reputation as an exclusive beach resort. All these elements are brought together to simply put Sochi as what is it: the perfect destination for travelers who want a city with its own history and traditions, one of a kind natural area and accommodation and cuisine that fits their needs, all year round.

Take a look at the 10 things that you can do for a fantastic stay in Sochi and get ready to feel that you are part of the Russian elite.

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3. Dendrarium Botanical Gardens (Sochi Arboretum)

A trip around the forests of the world in one place. What once was a private garden is now a 12 hectare (30 acre) park with more than 1,800 exotic and rare plants. The Dendrarium Botanical Gardens, also known as the Sochi Arboretum, is considered one of the most diverse botanical gardens in the country, with species from all around the globe organized into sections that represent different continents.

With beautiful fountains and sculptures, it is a great way to take some fresh air and get amazing views of the sea and the Caucasus Mountains. You can access the top garden’s hill by cable car or walking.

Dendrarium Botanical Gardens (Sochi Arboretum) Address : Kurortny Avenue 74, Sochi, 354002 Website : Dendrarium Botanical Gardens (Sochi Arboretum) (in Russian)

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4. stalin's dacha.

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located 30 minutes from Sochi’s center, Stalin’s Dacha was the summer residence built in 1937 for the leader of the Soviet Union. Visitors get the chance to explore this house in the woods and get deep into the mind of Stalin. Details like the lack of carpets so that the he could hear footsteps if someone was trying to approach him, an exterior painted in green to camouflage against attacks and an indoor swimming pool help learn about his character. The tours are made in Russian, so it is advisable to check in advance if the guides who speak English are present.

Stalin's Dacha Address : Kurortny prospekt 120/1, Khostinsky District, Sochi, Russia Website : Stalin’s Dacha

5. Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster

Before the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Sochi was mostly known as a summer holiday destination. However, today it also welcomes travelers in the winter season who enjoy what is often referred to as the ‘Russian Switzerland’, one of the most popular and beautiful mountain clusters in the country: Krasnaya Polyana.

The modern and brand new facilities built for the games include stylish resorts, great ski and snowboard slopes suitable for all levels, hiking trails, great restaurants and traditional Russian saunas. This complex is reachable by the railroad line built to connect the resort to the airport and by bus as well. It is a fantastic place to practice winter sports, but also to enjoy the mountain and the incredible views.

Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster Address : Krasnodar Krai, Sochi, Russia Website : Krasnaya Polyana Mountain Cluster

7. Dagomys Tea Plantation

If you want to taste something unique, you can visit the Dagomys Tea Plantation. Sochi is famous for being the only place that produces tea in Russia and, thanks to particular weather conditions, they have the northernmost plantations in the world. You can participate in a guided tour that explains the history of tea in the region inside an izba, a traditional log house. In there, you will also enjoy a traditional 19th-century style Russian tea party while listing to a folklore group.

If you want to take some of those flavors home with you, you can purchase the local black and green varieties, renowned for their delicate flavors, at the plantation shop. Operation hours vary during the year and the facilities are closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in winter.

Dagomys Tea Plantation Address : Krasnodar, Sochi, pos. Uch-Dere Street. Zaporizhia, 302, Sochi, Russia Website : Dagomys Tea Plantation (in Russian)

8. Olimpiyskiy Park

Built for the Winter Olympics of 2014, Olimpiyskiy Park is right on the shore of the Black Sea in Adler, south of Sochi. It houses amenities used for the Games and has been adapted for the general public with services like food and ice cream stalls. Among the facilities that you can see inside the complex it is the Fisht Olympic Stadium, which has a 40,000-capacity and served as a venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the games; it was reopened as a football stadium in 2016.

You can rent a bike at the front gate to explore it or hire a rickshaw tour to explore it, since it is very big. One of the most popular attractions at the park is The Waters of the Olympic Park fountain, which showcases a show with water, lights and music every day at 7 pm.

Olimpiyskiy Park Address : Olimpiyskiy prospekt, Adler, Russia Website : Olimpiyskiy Park (in Russian)

10. Riviera Park

Designed as a resting area for the Tsar’s in 1898, Riviera Park is now the most popular alternative for locals and tourists for a day out. It has beautiful landscaped trees and flower gardens that join sculptures to provide a great scenery for walking and relaxing. Also, the park features an amusement area with carnival rides and games for fun, an arts and crafts market to purchase souvenirs and lovely cafes with delicious products, among other facilities. One of the visitor’s favorite are the tennis courts of Y. Kafelnikov Tennis School, where it is rumored that champion Maria Sharapova started playing.

Riviera Park Address : 1 Yegorova ul., Sochi, Krasnodarskiy, Russia Website : Riviera Park (in Russian)

The best of both worlds

Whether you visit Sochi because you want to relax and enjoy the fantastic beaches of the Black Sea or you want to go to the exclusive resorts of the Caucasus Mountains, you can be sure that you will have a great journey. See you there!

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When she is not backpacking round the globe, Emilia Lugo works as a Digital Content Specialist in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She considers herself a museum geek and loves destinations that can take... Read more

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