free creative writing workshops

The Best Free Online Writing Courses for Creative Writers, Fiction, and Nonfiction

by Tom Corson-Knowles | 63 comments

All of us want to improve our writing skills, hone our craft, and get ahead in our writing careers.

Not all of us can go back to school and get our MFA in writing—heck, not all of us want to!

Thankfully, the internet makes it possible to take great online writing courses for free (no matter where you live, what your circumstances, or your budget).

Taking a writing course online can help you polish your writing to be the best it can be—a critical step before either self-publishing or submitting your manuscript to publishers .

Through these free writing courses, you’ll gain practical tips and strategies to help you improve your writing—both for your current manuscript and for future projects.

Free Online Writing Courses

The more you learn and practice, the easier writing will become and the better your books will be. And that’s key to attracting and growing a devoted audience and becoming a full-time author !

How to Choose an Online Writing Course

You’ll want to choose a course that meets your needs, which means you need to know your needs first.

Identify Your Goals

When picking a course, ask yourself what specific areas you’re looking to improve:

• Do you want to pick up basic writing skills, like improving your grammar?
• Do you want to learn more about how to create gripping plots?
• Do you want to learn to create realistic, vivid characters?
• Do you want to learn how to add value to your nonfiction writing?
• Do you want to turn your life experiences into a book that has meaning for a broad audience?
• Do you want to learn how to earn a living off a specific kind of writing?
• Do you want to dive deep into a specific area of craft, like dialogue construction?

All of these goals—and many more—make good reasons to choose an online writing course!

Set Your Course Budget

Next, you’ll want to ask yourself what you’re willing to commit to a course, both in terms of time and money. There are some great free courses out there, as well as other courses that charge a fee. You might consider starting with a free class to make sure that you can handle the online learning format, then stepping up to a more advanced paid class later.

Pick a Commitment Level

Any course or class, no matter whether it’s online or not, requires dedication to actually make a difference in your life. You’ll need to be ready to listen to lectures, read papers and presentations, follow through on assignments, and engage with your classmates.

Some online courses are completely self-paced, which means you work through the material on your own, taking as long as you like. This is great for people with busy lives, jobs, and family commitments—but it also means you have to take responsibility for structuring your time and doing the work.

Other courses have weekly assignments, sometimes even monitored or graded by an instructor, along with class chat sessions, feedback opportunities, and other ways to have a full classroom experience without actually going to a university.

These types of courses are less flexible, as they often require you to log in at certain times, and they demand that you do your work on time! But they also offer a lot of benefits in terms of helping you manage your time and devote energy to improving your writing and to working with other writers to start forming a community.

Once you’ve figured out what you’re looking to learn, what you’re willing to commit (in terms of time, energy, dedication, and money), and how you think you’ll learn best, you can get started with your writing course!

Of course, you might not be quite ready to take the plunge into paying for an online writing class just yet. Will you be able to keep up with the assignments? How do online lectures work, anyway?

To help you get started in the world of online learning, we’ve rounded up some of the best free online writing courses out there, regardless of your focus: creative writing, fiction, and nonfiction.

Ready to find the right course for you? Let’s check them out!

Free Creative Writing Courses

Creative writing courses are amazing because they can be applied to just about anything you want to write, from memoirs to novels…even nonfiction!

These classes teach you the basic skills you need to write fluidly, fluently, and with style—essential no matter what your genre or field.

More advanced classes help you find your writing voice, learn the secrets of creating an author brand and ecosystem, and improve your technique.

English Composition Class

About the Course

In order to be a great writer, you have to have solid basic writing skills!

Arizona State University’s Introduction to English Composition class will help you master the basics so that you can improve every aspect of your writing, no matter what your focus is.

Over the eight-week intensive course, you’ll learn a variety of useful skills that can serve as the building blocks of your future writing career, helping you gain mastery over the English language and learn to write in a way that others respect and admire.

You’ll be asked to complete several writing assignments, as well as writing a reflection piece on each of them. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with other learners and get feedback on your work as you develop your skills.

In this course, you’ll learn:

• How to target your writing to your audience’s needs
• How to think critically about reading and writing
• How to use style conventions and techniques to improve your writing
• How to use technology to write more effectively and efficiently
• How to unlock your creativity
• How to develop good writing habits

This is really a class on building the fundamental skills you’ll need to be a successful professional writer—it’s a fantastic resource for anyone, no matter where they are in their writing journey.

Adam Pacton holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition and is a lecturer on creative writing, English, and composition techniques at Arizona State University.

Free! You can also pay $499 to add a “verified certificate” if you want to show the course as a credential on a resume or to an employer, but most writers will do great with the free version.

The Crafty Writer’s Creative Writing Course

The Crafty Writer is a service started by fiction author Fiona Veitch Smith to help teach aspiring and current writers how to master their craft and publish better books that get better results in the market.

As part of that mission, they’ve developed The Crafty Writer’s Creative Writing Course , a self-paced introduction to creative writing. The class walks you through the basics of becoming a dedicated creative writer, including looks at several different styles and genres.

• How to uncover your personal writing style and voice
• The basics of writing a short story
• How to choose an effective point of view
• How to use vivid imagery to bring your ideas to life
• How to find and use writers’ groups, competitions, and communities of writers
• The basics of publishing and marketing your work

There are set assignments and tasks to complete, but you don’t need to attend any live chats or sessions. There’s no individual feedback from instructors or coaches, and you won’t get feedback from other people taking the class, but you’re encouraged to ask questions if there’s anything you’re struggling with. Mostly, you’re given the tools and resources to begin finding and building your own community of support and to assess and revise your own work.

If you’ve always wanted to dip a toe into the writing world, but weren’t quite sure where to begin, this could be the ideal online option for you!

Fiona Veitch Smith is a prolific author whose work includes several novels, a biography, a children’s book series, and more than 100 articles published in magazines as diverse as  Sports Illustrated  and  Plain Truth , where she is the New Writing editor. She holds BA and MA degrees in writing and is pursuing her PhD while also teaching creative writing both online and off.

Free! The class suggests recommended reading that you can buy or borrow from your library.

DIY MFA Writing Class

DIY MFA does exactly what it promises—it helps you learn the skills taught in a formal MFA program at home on your own!

The course walks you through the three major areas that big-name master’s programs focus on: writing, reading, and building a community of fellow authors, mentors, and devoted readers.

Along the way, you learn how to select and read books that can help you improve your own writing, whether because they act as source material, give you an idea of the state of your genre, or help you broaden your horizons and learn from great writers.

You’ll also get practical tips for writing better, including strategies for outlining, hints for how to pace the flow of your book, and ideas for creating memorable phrases in both fiction and nonfiction that will hook your reader instantly.

Founder Gabriela Pereira created DIY MFA after she graduated with her master’s in writing and saw all the other writers struggling to feel like pros without that experience…and realized that she still didn’t feel quite like a pro even with it! Gabriela teaches at conferences and online, and she’s helped hundreds of writers get the MFA experience without having to go to an expensive school.

Free! Just sign up at https://diymfa.com/join to get the free starter pack and begin your online MFA journey. You can also check out great tips and tricks on the site’s blog for more in-depth looks into how to improve your writing starting today.

Free Fiction Writing Classes

If you’ve already started on your career as a novelist and are looking to take your skills to the next level, a fiction-specific writing course might be best for you!

Start Writing Fiction

Looking to start your career as a novelist the right way? This may be the class for you!

Offered through The Open University, a world leader in distance learning, Start Writing Fiction takes you from zero to novelist in eight weeks.

You’ll listen to lectures from renowned novelists, develop your skills through writing prompts and assignments, and get personalized feedback from your classmates and instructor during the class.

• How and why to keep a writing journal
• How to write better dialogue
• How to do better research
• How to structure a plot
• Why reading matters as a writer
• How to self-edit your work

The course is taught by Dr. Derek Neale , an award-winning short story author and novelist whose works include The Book of Guardians . Dr. Neale is the Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University and splits his time between teaching, supervising PhD students, developing new courses, and working on his own fiction projects.

Free! However, you can pay a small fee (£39, or about $50) to upgrade to a version of the course that gives you unlimited access to the lectures and materials after the eight-week session ends.

How to Write a Novel

Ready to write your first novel? Consider taking this class first!

How to Write a Novel will give you the tools you need to actually finish that first draft—and go on to revise it and publish it successfully!

You’ll learn:

• How to keep track of your fiction ideas
• How (and why) to outline your novel
• Basic worldbuilding techniques
• Character development tips and tricks
• How to create a daily writing habit

By the end of the 10 daily lessons, you’ll be ready to roll with your first novel, crafting worlds and characters that set the stage for your career as a successful fiction author.

Ben Galley is a bestselling fantasy author and self-publishing consultant who helps authors create amazing stories and then sell their books around the world.

Free! Just sign up with your email to start the 10-day class.

How to Craft a Killer Short Story

Whether you’re an established fiction author or just getting started, short stories are a fantastic tool to have in your arsenal as a writer. But they involve some very different skills than writing longer fiction.

That’s where How to Craft a Killer Short Story comes in!

This 10-day email course will show you what you need to know in order to create tight, gripping stories, like:

• How to pick a great short story topic
• How to trim the fat from your writing
• How to edit short stories
• How to sell your stories to literary journals, anthologies, and magazines

Follow along every day and within two weeks, you’ll be ready to tackle the short story in all its glory!

Laura Mae Isaacman  is a full-time editor; she’s worked with major authors, including Joyce Carol Oates, T.C. Boyle and Noam Chomsky. She has also lectured on the topics of writing and publishing and is the co-founder of  Tweed’s Magazine of Literature & Art.

Free Nonfiction Writing Courses

Ready to hone your skills at turning real-life information, tips, techniques, and situations into enthralling prose that changes your readers’ lives?

Take one of these free nonfiction writing courses!

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Nonfiction

Writing nonfiction can be very rewarding, but it doesn’t necessarily have the same glow around it as being a novelist.

Still, the skills you’ll learn as a nonfiction author can help you no matter what you write or what you want to do with your career.

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Nonfiction walks you through the good, the bad, and the ugly of writing, publishing, and marketing nonfiction books.

In this 10-day course, you’ll get an email each day walking you through some critical aspect of writing and publishing nonfiction, covering topics like:

• How to get started on your book
• How to do targeted market research
• Tools and strategies to maximize your productivity
• Tips for outlining

By the end of the class, you’ll have a toolbox to help you write and publish your first nonfiction book!

Publishing coach Azul Terronez is the founder of Author’s Writing Academy and has helped dozens of authors make their books a reality. He has also coached seasoned writers like Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom.com.

Free! Just sign up with your email.

Writing What You Know

Writing a nonfiction book is all about translating the real world to the page, bringing readers with you as you explore a topic, event, or strategy.

Writing What You Know is an amazing introduction to the power of words to translate your experience to something that other people can learn and grow from.

This eight-hour course covers topics including:

• Using life experiences in your writing
• Creating vivid imagery
• Constructing and pacing scenes
• Using memories to structure narrative
• Turning the everyday into the memorable

By the end of the class, you’ll be able to craft engaging narratives capable of transporting your readers to another time, place, or situation—using the power of what you observe every day.

The Open University doesn’t reveal who developed its courses, but their content is on par with the best massively open online courses (MOOCs) in the world. You’ll learn techniques and skills that bestselling nonfiction authors have used to advance their careers and be able to quickly start improving your own writing.

Free! You can even download the course materials in the format of your choice to refer to later.

How to Write a Business Book

If you’ve ever wanted to write a business book, share your journey as an entrepreneur, or help others make money doing what they love, then How to Write a Business Book may be the class you’re looking for!

This 10-day email course will teach you the fundamentals of business writing, including how to make sure that your book resonates with your audience and helps add value to their business or life. This course will help you make your book more than just a business card—it will help you write in a way that changes your readers lives while enhancing your own career. Topics covered during the class include:

• Important questions to ask before writing your book
• How to outline and structure
• How to set manageable goals
• How to build your audience

Alison Jones  is a publishing partner for businesses and organizations. She provides executive coaching, consultancy, and training services to publishers and regularly speaks and blogs on the publishing industry.

Start Taking Free Online Writing Courses

No matter where you are on your writing journey, there’s always something new to learn. That’s the great thing about this path—we can learn, grow, and stretch ourselves in new and different ways every day!

One or more of the online writing courses we’ve covered here is sure to help you develop your skills and move to the next level as a writer, regardless of what genre you’re focused on or what your goals are.

Pick a class or two, sign up, and try it out! Apply the new techniques and strategies you’ve learned to your next writing project and see what a difference practice and development can make for you.

Then pick another class and keep on going!

Want to learn more about honing your craft as a writer? Check out these great resources:

• How to Write a Nonfiction Book
• How to Write Better Fiction and Become a Great Novelist
• 11 Writing Tips for Improving Readability and Communicating Better

Tom Corson-Knowles is the founder of TCK Publishing, and the bestselling author of 27 books including Secrets of the Six-Figure author. He is also the host of the Publishing Profits Podcast show where we interview successful authors and publishing industry experts to share their tips for creating a successful writing career.

63 Comments

How to join the free English learning course I have not found any link

I want to develop my email writing skill. Do you have any better solution?

Hi Mirko, we actually have a few posts on how to write an email , but you might also find these business writing courses helpful for writing emails too.

I’m trying to find a class to help me with a book I’m trying to write, but I’m a minor and it’s hard to find one that interests me but I can understand and works around my schoolwork. What would you recommend?

Hi Sierra, have you checked out any of these free courses? They’re online, so you should be able to do them in your free time/around your school work.

I think I will try Start Writing Fiction. Thank you for these great courses!

That’s great, Sierra! I hope you enjoy the courses :)

Thank you very much for providing valuable courses. I will surely pick one of my kind to get in the world of writing.

We’re glad you found it helpful Robin. Best of luck to you!

This article is very helpful for me, thank you so much for sharing this information. And here is also some important information so go here and check.

Glad you found this article helpful! And thanks for sharing the information!

Hi, Kaelyn: Lots of interesting classes here. That many are free is quite a treat.

I’m interested in learning more about creative non-fiction. I write pretty decent memoir and essays, but it’s time to dig deeper.

Would you please steer me on this.

I’m also curious what you may think of this genre in terms of earnings on Medium.

Thank you! Roy

Hi Roy, thanks for your comment! We have a post on creative nonfiction that you might enjoy. I don’t have hard numbers on potential earnings through Medium, but it’s an increasingly popular genre for online writing (and one of my personal favorites), so I think there’s definitely a market for it.

Hi, I have taken beginner creative writing class, now I want improve my creative writing more. So, what should be my next step? Are there any further courses for creative writing.

The ASU English Composition link doesn’t work. Please provide a new one. Or, a similar course.

Thanks Mitch, I updated the link!

I can’t find any link

Sorry, not sure what happened there. should be fine now!

Hi Sushmita, you might try practicing with our creative writing prompts or writing a short story :)

I would like to know if a fee is required for classes and if so how much.

Hi Cathy, the courses listed in this post are all free!

I would like to improve my business and day-to-day writing skills including grammar. Which is the best course for me to take pleae?

Hi Princess, you might actually want to check out our list of business writing courses . sounds like those might suit your needs better! :)

I am a sophomore in high school, I love writing and I want to improve so I can write short stories and poetry. What do you suggest for me? Thank you.

Hi Lena, any of the creative writing classes on this list would be a good start, but practice is also one of the best ways to improve. Consider entering a poetry or short story contest! :)

What about writing feedback? A writing course can only thrive with writing and more writing rather than talking the world out of styles and author-lectures. What is the price for feedback driven courses, if any

Hi Rashul, the ASU and Future Learn courses in this list include feedback from instructors :)

[email protected]

Thank you for all these wonderful recommendations. Can you recommend quality courses aimed specifically at writing for children, free or otherwise?

Hi Anna, thanks for your comment! None of the courses on this list are really aimed at kids, but it would depend on the age and learning level of the child. However, we do have these writing prompts for kids that you might find helpful! I’ll also work on making a list of courses for kids :)

Thank you for listing the free courses, but which one to chose is uncertain. I have worked on my manuscript and thought I was at the point for beta readers, only to find out from their comments I am far from publishing my books. I have the experience of online schooling, for I just received my masters. However, my writing skills need much improvement. I know I have a problem with telling not showing. And yes, I am a fictional writer. I also have a problem with moving back and forth with past and present tense. I am looking for the course that will help with these trouble areas.

Hi Allison, thanks for your comment! I think I would recommend the “Writing What You Know” course for your needs. We also have a post on how to show don’t tell that you might find helpful. And don’t feel discouraged, it’s a beta reader’s job to point out areas for improvement — they’ll help you get one step closer! :) Best of luck!

I am quite happy to have come across this website. I really want to take a short course on writing and acquire a certificate after completing it. Where should I go?

Hi Anthony! The ASU course offers a certificate, but so do a lot of Udemy courses. It depends on what kind of certificate you’re looking for

My writing intent is to share my Spiritual journey of the past 40 years most of which was spent learning and living the Medicines Ways of my Elder. I have a developed intuitive sense but I lack structure, form, and a deeply expanded vocabulary that would better capture in prose what I intuitively ‘feel-see’ but the results often end up being disjointed and lacking in a natural unforced flow which always leaves me not quite satisfied with the end result.

Hi Ron, thanks for your comment! yes, a lot of new writers struggle with structure, but with practice and the insights from some of these courses you can definitely make progress :)

hi do you know any free magazine writing workshops?

Hi Samantha, I don’t know any specifically for magazine writing, but any of the free nonfiction courses here will likely teach you some of the important skills you’ll need for magazine writing too:)

I’m a creative writer, I need work on my grammar ,spelling, ect ,editing my work and I want to write books what’s the best free course or courses?

Hi Jennifer, it looks like the courses on the list don’t really focus on those basic elements specifically, but we do have a lot of grammar posts that I hope you will find helpful. And if you have any specific questions, please let me know, I’m always happy to help!

Your last sentence is a run on sentence. I thought you’d want to know.

Thanks for pointing that out, Barbara. I usually don’t focus on grammar conventions when I’m answering questions. I just try to be helpful and answer as soon as possible. I’ll try to be more conscious of it :)

I am looking for a mentoring program for my 10 yr old who loves to write. Basically somebody who can go through her work and offer feedback. Thanks!

Hi Dharub, that’s so great that your daughter loves to write! you might consider signing her up for a writers’ group, or talk to a writing coach who can guide her :) However, lots of online classes, like those listed above, also feature opportunities for direct feedback from the instructor. I hope that helps!

I have always had a passion for reading and writing. I would really love to write about my life experiences, I just think it might be a little sad. Writing a novel sounds like maybe more fun but I would definitely need help creating characters with depth. I’m wondering what you would recommend as far as some free courses.

Hi Juana, the “How to Write a Novel” course on this list can help you with character development :) We also have quite a few blog posts on the subject, like how to create and use character profiles . I hope that helps :)

I really need to better my grammar. I’m quite rusty.

Hi Amanda, you can try one of these courses, or check out one of our many posts on writing tips and grammar :) I hope that helps!

Interested in Creative Writing

Hi Sonny, that’s great! There are lots of courses on this list that can help you. If you want more practice you can also try these creative writing prompts :)

Hi! I want to help my 10-year-old daughter to read and write with passion, not to write a book, she will see if she likes it, but to have an ease of communication that is not learned in school, there are courses for children ?

In my own research I stumbled across this website. Hopefully this will be of good help to your daughter.

https://outschool.com/classes/semester-long-ms-writing-course-*flexible-schedule*-IFIZxWK7?sectionUid=efcd703b-23a8-4d60-8408-a1f32077ee15#abkiqu8k90

Thank you for sharing this, Janet! :)

Hi Pamela, this Udemy course looks like a great option for kids: https://www.udemy.com/course/theultimatemysterywritingcourseforkids/ , as well as Janet’s suggestions below :)

Your courses are timely for anyone who desires to write books in any genre. But can one register for two or more courses and running concurrently? Please help.

Hi Clement, yes, you can definitely take more than one course at once. I would just recommend you make sure you have the time to dedicate your attention to each one :)

When I was much younger I wanted to be a journalist. The next Nora O’Donnell !! Now that I’m retired I want to write a fiction. I have so many ideas in my head I need to learn how to focus them and put them on paper

Hi Dianne! I can definitely relate – I used to dream of being a journalist too! Luckily, my current work allows me to practice writing, and I’m loving it. I hope you have time now to follow your new dream of writing fiction! You can try a writing course or check out some of the writing tips we share on the blog, such as our post on how to write a novel . If you ever have questions or there are more resources we can send your way, please let us know! :)

I would like to develop my writing skills, I want to learn the pros and cons of writing depending on its specific kind of writing or genre. I he I can find help for free workshops.

Hi Monalisa, here’s a list of writing workshops you might find helpful: https://www.tckpublishing.com/online-writing-workshops/

i would like to take the course on how to write a novel

Hi Dolly, that’s great! You should definitely try it :) best of luck with your writing!

Hello Barron Can you Suggested Me

Learn More About

• Fiction (223)
• Nonfiction (71)
• Blogging (46)
• Book Promotion (28)
• How to Get Reviews (9)
• Audiobooks (17)
• Book Design (11)
• Ebook Publishing (13)
• Hybrid Publishing (8)
• Print Publishing (9)
• Self Publishing (70)
• Traditional Publishing (53)
• How to Find an Editor (11)
• Fitness (4)
• Mindfulness and Meditation (7)
• Miscellaneous (116)
• New Releases (17)
• Career Development (73)
• Online Courses (46)
• Productivity (45)
• Personal Finance (21)
• Podcast (179)
• Poetry Awards Contest (2)
• Publishing News (8)
• Readers Choice Awards (5)
• Reading Tips (145)
• Software (17)
• Technology (15)
• Contests (4)
• Grammar (59)
• Word Choice (64)
• Writing a Book (62)
• Writing Fiction (195)
• Writing Nonfiction (68)

NEW VIDEO COURSE

Learn How to Write a Novel, Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class.

Learn How to Write a Novel

Join Tom Bromley for a writing master class and finish your first draft in 3 months.

75 Best Free Creative Writing Classes in 2024

Showing 75 courses that match your search.

Writing a Resume For Success

Kansas City Public Library

Applying for college or a new job is a daunting task, but having a good resume can alleviate some of the stress. In this class, gather tips and guidelines on how best to showcase your skills.

Website: https://kclibrary.org/blog/library-launches-online-writin...

Categories: Free

Start date:

Open all year round

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Story Writing: How to Build Background With Imagery and Setting

This class is all about writing sensory descriptions and creating a sense of place in writing fiction. Discover how descriptive language can help ground your reader and create thought-provoking imagery that adds to the tone and intrigue of your story.

Website: https://kclibrary.org/calendar/story-writing-how-build-ba...

April, 2024

(Re)writing as Therapy

One of the most potent powers of writing is its ability to remold the past. In this class, we’ll use writing to explore past events, discovering how imagination can reframe good or bad times. You’ll even have the opportunity to literally rewrite a past event if you’d like.

Website: https://kclibrary.org/calendar/rewriting-therapy-0

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 →

May Seaport Free Write

What's more satisfying than leaving work behind on a Friday evening? Rounding out the week with a free writing session of course! Maximize that Friday feeling and kick off your writing weekend with us! In 60 jam-packed minutes, you’ll meet fellow writers and get your creative juices flowing!

Website: https://grubstreet.org/findaclass/class/may-seaport-free-...

Writing the First Feature Film Treatment Toolkit

UCLA Extension

Learning to write a screenplay is a process, and to do it well can take years of practice. Boil down your story into a short pitch and then expand that into a complete treatment for a feature-length script.

Website: https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/screenwr...

Hard Times Writing Workshop

Jefferson County Public Library

This workshop offers a supportive environment for adults to process life experiences through storytelling. It's a free and open weekly writing workshop.

Website: https://jeffcolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/656ea59208...

Writing Mysteries & Thrillers

Writing Adventures

Step into the world of suspense with our "Mysteries and Thrillers" class. Delve into writing mysterious and thrilling narratives, creating enchanting plots, eerie characters, and ingeniously hidden clues.

Website: https://www.hisawyer.com/writing-adventures/schedules/act...

Improv + Scene Writing

"Improv + Scene Writing" merges comedy, performance, and writing in a dynamic one-hour class. Enhance your skills in plot crafting, character development, pacing, and comedic timing, all while collaborating and performing with peers.

Electrifying Creative Writing

"Electrifying Creative Writing," our standout course, promises to ignite your creative spark like never before. Explore a diversity of themes and genres, embarking on a year-long adventure that empowers you to find and develop your own writing style and talents.

Advanced Writing Essentials

"Writing Essentials" redefines your approach to essays. Move beyond traditional structures and dull topics, embracing a journey to discover your unique writing talents and style. Write about what truly matters to you within a nurturing and social writing community.

Writers Room Experience

Writers Room

This experiential studio class, led by instructor Lauren Lowe, focuses on developing an understanding of the self in relation to the world. It emphasizes building community and working towards a more equitable world through writing and sharing stories​​.

Website: https://www.writersroomdrexel.org/courses

Blackout Poetry Workshop

Willoughby City Library

This workshop focuses on creating stories and poetry through the technique of blackout poetry, where a page of text is blacked out except for a few select words, creating a new story from the existing text. It's an interactive and fun approach to creative writing. The workshop is held at The Creator Space, Chatswood Library, and materials are provided for participants. The workshop is free of charge and scheduled for a specific date and time.

Website: https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Blacko...

How to choose a free creative writing class

Looking to build your writing skillset, learn more about your genre, or finally finish that book you’ve been working on? You’re in the right place. That’s why we built this directory of the best creative writing courses.

However, creative writing classes aren’t one size fit all. If you’re planning to join a free writing class in particular, you’ll want to make sure that it matches what you’re seeking to learn about creative writing.

So make sure to consider the following questions when you’re researching free writing courses:

• Who is the instructor? How many years of experience do they have in creative writing?
• Is there something in particular you’d like to learn about creative writing? Does this course include it?
• How long is the course, and where is it taught?
• Are there any hidden fees advertised in this free creative writing class?

More free creative writing resources

Whether you’re a new or established author, there are always evergreen resources out there to how to get a headstart on writing a book. 

Free online materials

• Creative Writing Prompts (resource)
• How to Self-Publish a Book (blog post)
• How to Publish a Novel (blog post)
• How to Edit a Book (blog post)

Recommended books

• For writers in the UK:  Writers' & Artists' Yearbook  
• For writers in the US:  Writer’s Market 2020

Join a community of over 1 million authors

Reedsy is more than just a blog. Become a member today to discover how we can help you publish a beautiful book.

Save your shortlist

Enter your email address to save your shortlist so that you don't lose it!

By continuing, you will also receive Reedsy's weekly publishing tips and access to our free webinars.

We sent over your shortlist. Thank you for using Reedsy's Writing Courses Directory, happy publishing! 🙌

NEW REEDSY COURSE

Finish your book in three months

1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Enter your email or get started with a social account:

• Featured Writing Courses
• Online Writing Courses
• Free Writing Courses
• Screenwriting
• Creative Nonfiction
• Writing Tips

TOP CREATIVE WRITING COURSES

19. Writing Science Fiction – National Centre for Writing

• This course is self-paced and can be accessed at any time after enrollment.
• Sign up to a free account is required to get instant access to the course.
• The course should take 1-2 weeks, but you can take as long as you need to complete.
• Website:  Writing Science Fiction

20. Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop – Coursera

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Certificate: Available (payment required)
• Over the 6 weeks you can learn how to convert lines into beautiful stanzas, and the art of using metaphors, abstracts, rhymes, and rhythms in poetry.
• Website:  Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

21. Start Writing a Book – Reedsy

• This is a 10-day course where the 5-minute lessons are delivered to your inbox each day. Sign up to a free account is required to get instant access to the course.
• So if you want to stop talking about writing a book and actually start doing it or finally complete that final draft, this course may be the ideal option for you.
• Website:  How to Stop Talking about Writing a Book and Actually Start Doing It
• How to Craft a Killer Short Story
• How to Plot a Novel
• ​ How to Write YA That Sells
• How to Write a Suspense Novel
• Children's Books 101: Writing for the Right Age Group
• How to Write for Middle-Grade Readers
• How to Turn Up the Heat in Your Romance
• How to Write an Irresistible Romance
• Understanding Point of View
• The Mechanics of Writing Dialogue
• How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro
• Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites
• Story Editing for Authors

22. Writing Your First Novel – Coursera

• Duration: 26 weeks
• Certificate: Available (payment required )
• The course allows learners to acquire skills on how to develop an idea for a novel, create character profiles, plan the plot, divide the novel into several chapters, and much more. 
• Website:  Writing Your First Novel

23. Writing for Young Readers – Commonwealth Education Trust

• Duration: 18 hours
• The entire course curriculum comprises study modules, video tutorials, and further resources.
• You can access the different study materials for 5 weeks, and these take you through the journey from starting your story, writing, editing, and finally publishing.
• Website:  Writing for Young Readers

24. Unseen Poetry and the Creative Process – FutureLearn

• Duration: 2 weeks (3 hours per week)
• Certificate available (payment required)
• During the first week you will learn about transforming different types of feelings into text, and how to develop the tone and figurative language.
• The modules for the second week give a comprehensive understanding of the creative process, writing, and shaping a poem, etc.
• Website:  Unseen Poetry and the Creative Process

25. ​Comedy Writing and Performance Poetry – edX

• Duration: 4 weeks, 8-10 hours per week
• A certificate of completion is available for a fee.
• There are set start dates for this course.
• Website:   Comedy Writing and Performance Poetry

26. Transmedia Storytelling – Coursera

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Website:  Transmedia Storytelling

27. Supercharge Your Productivity – National Centre for Writing

• Website:  Supercharge Your Creativity

28. Finding Your Voice as a Playwright – edX

• Duration: 4 weeks, 8-10 hours per week.
• Website:  Finding Your Voice as a Playwright
• Writing Successfully for the Stage
• Building Your Screenplay

29. ​Storytelling for Social Change – FutureLearn

• This course is for a duration 5 weeks, with 2 hours study each week.
• You can join this course at any time and start straight away.
• This is a free course via FutureLearn, with extra benefits available for a nominal fee.

30. Exploring Books for Children: Words and Pictures – OpenLearn via The Open University

• 8 hours study time
• Level 2: Intermediate level
• This course can be accessed at any time
• Self-paced course
• You can download or print this course to access offline

All Creative Nonfiction Featured Courses Free Writing Courses Online Writing Courses Screenwriting Writing Tips

Get feedback on your writing and become a better writer in our online writing group

Scribophile is one of the largest and most award-winning online writing communities.

Make your writing shine with feedback from other writers

You’ve spent a lot of time writing your story. But how can you make it perfect before you start thinking about publishing?

Scribophile is a writing group focused on getting you feedback on your manuscript. Our points-based peer critique system guarantees you’ll get feedback from writers from all walks of life. You can then use that feedback to polish your writing before you take the next step in your publishing journey.

How Scribophile works

1 earn points by giving feedback.

Earn karma points by critiquing writing. Giving feedback to other writers is fast, easy, fun, and helps improve your own writing, too!

2 Get feedback on your own writing

Spend karma points to post your own writing for critique — anything from flash fiction to novels. Our busy community of writers from all over the world will give you detailed feedback on how to improve it.

3 Make friends and meet beta readers

As you participate in our writing group, you’ll meet and form relationships with other writers. These friends will be your beta readers, ready to help with your current manuscript, and your next ones too!

Scribophile was the first place I stopped when I went from being an I-wanna-be-a-writer to I-am-an-author. Now I have four international bestselling novels with major publishers, and when authors come to me I always send them to Scribophile. Genevieve Graham Tides of Honour and others published with Simon & Schuster

Join writing workshops and level up your writing

Our writing workshops are taught by bestselling authors, expert teachers, and industry insiders. We have workshops for writers of any skill level, where we cover everything from beginning topics to advanced techniques.

Our writing workshops are designed to be both comprehensive and transformational — they’re your fast track to becoming an unforgettable writer.

Some of our upcoming writing workshops

Writing Powerful Settings with Ross Turner

Apr 13, 2024 • 2 hour workshop, with instructor feedback on your writing

Editor and teacher Ross Turner explains the techniques master writers use to write settings so memorable that they become characters of their own.

Be Your Own Freelance Editor with Tanya Egan Gibson

Apr 20, 2024 • 2 hour webinar

Author and editor Tanya Egan Gibson teaches you how to self-edit your manuscripts with the careful, critical eye of an editor to make them the best they can be.

Improve your writing, at any skill level

Our writing group welcomes writers of all skill levels — from beginners to published authors, and every writer in between.

Each critique you receive on your manuscript is a fresh perspective for you to incorporate. Our bustling writing forums feature writers discussing the craft twenty-four hours a day. And our extensive Writing Academy is full of insightful articles on the art — and business — of writing.

Scribophile played a major part in helping me polish my novel for submission. I learnt a huge amount from critiquing other people’s work, as well as from reading critiques of mine. I now have a wonderful agent and have signed a three-book deal in the UK, a two-book deal in Germany, and a TV option. The book was also shortlisted for The Debut Dagger! Roz Watkins The Devil’s Dice and others published with HarperCollins

Giving and receiving critiques on Scribophile made a big difference to the quality of my writing. I learned how to write a query letter here and that led to an agent and a book deal. Ruth Lauren Prisoner of Ice and Snow and others published with Bloomsbury

No more writing alone — meet your new writer friends

Sometimes, the hardest part of being a writer is how lonely it can get.

That’s why the most important part of Scribophile is our community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. No matter what genre you write in, or how far along you are in your manuscript, the friends you make at Scribophile will finally take the loneliness out of our solitary craft.

My years on Scribophile have given me a master’s level education in writing. The critiques are great, but I’ve learned as much from reading and analyzing other writers on Scribophile. I don’t think I could have polished my novel to a publishable level without this site. I’m an addict. Laura Creedle The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily published with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Ready to take the next step in your writing journey?

It’s easy and free.

Get the latest publishers and contests eager to read your writing

Our newsletter delivers a list of the latest publishers, writing markets, and writing contests directly to your inbox once per week, totally free. Unsubscribe at any time.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories

7 free online creative writing courses that you can enrol in right now

By Megha Sharma

As a form of expression , a means to escape the reality, and a medium to communicate a larger ideology, the act of writing can serve different purposes. And no matter what your reason to put pen to paper, or keys to screen, these virtual lessons could help you develop the techniques you will require on your creative journey. Here, find out all the free online courses you can join to begin now.

Creative Writing Specialisation

Covering three major creative writing genres—short story, narrative essay and memoir—the course will help you master the techniques of putting your ideas on paper as clearly as possible. So if you’ve been meaning to work some engrossing features in your already existing plot, or better highlight the setting of your story, or simply articulate in a stronger fashion, let this lesson be on your shortlist. In case you’re just starting out, the course is equally rewarding.

Write Your First Novel

Have you been wanting to pen down your thoughts and weave them into a well-written novel? Go for this virtual course where you will learn an end-to-end approach to producing a work of fiction. Through a stepwise process that will culminate in your individual production of a 50,000-word book, the learning course will provide you all the important pointers right from the top.

Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest

Complete with video lectures, online readings, peer reviews and guest appearances from renowned authors, the course will offer an all-inclusive guide to creative writing for students and young aspirers. Apart from that, you will also explore the cultural significance of notable works , analyse the ways in which art and words interact, and become familiar with standard elements of a narrative, that include dialogue, point of view, theme, plot and so on.  

Write A Feature Length Screenplay for Film or Television

Whether your point of interest is serious dramas, romantic comedies or thrillers , the free virtual course will zoom in on every aspect of screenplay writing so you’re able to pursue the genre you want. Following in a well-structured process, you will have produced a pitch-ready script by the time the four-week programme is over. Along with learning how to create a basic idea and write loglines, you will be studying the Three Act Story Arc, and much more.

By Vogue Staff

By Prabal Sharma

Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialisation

Here, four published memoirists and essayists let you in on the tricks and tools of writing about yourself. Be prepared for professional tips, prompts, reading challenges and exercises among other interactive activities. Unlike many other courses where you will be producing a large body of work at the completion of the programme, here, you will be constructing a portfolio of work to use as valuable components later.

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

These lessons support the school of thought that poetry isn’t just a means of expression. Rather, using it for just that, is like “using the internet just for email”. If you too are willing to think beyond that, and take up the art to bring about a change in people’s thought and ideologies, the course is for you. Learn to use the several tools of poetic composition, study the works of contemporary poets and, of course, try your own hand at the skill.

Transmedia Storytelling: Narrative worlds, emerging technologies, and global audiences

In a world that believes in not just up-skilling, but also cross-skilling, this transmedia course serves to be an extremely well-rounded one. The description on the website states, “Transmedia storytelling is the practice of designing , sharing, and participating in a cohesive story experience across multiple traditional and digital delivery platforms - for entertainment, advertising and marketing, or social change.” So learn to develop expansive narratives and optimise your writing for mobile devices, social media communities, virtual and augmented realities and more.

6 free online history courses to take while you’re self-quarantined from Harvard University and more

6 free online music courses you can enrol in while you self-isolate

Art enthusiasts, here are 7 online courses you can now enrol in

By Hasina Jeelani

By Francesca Faccani

By Anna Moeslein

By Saachi Gupta

Top 7 Must-Known Free Creative Writing Courses

Creative writing has come a long way from pen and paper. these days, you can get started with your magazine or blog. the world has changed for the best and there are many benefits of using creative writing. creative writing is gaining prominence these days. with the advancement of technology, it has become possible to write without having a pen and paper. people are adopting this trend and enjoy using their laptops, tablets, or smartphones. but there is a lot more than just simply sending your article or book online. here are the best free creative writing courses..

Creative writing is a form of expression that describes an original work of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or drama. This can include a novel, story, poem, or play. Creative writers are also referred to as “poets.” While everyone has their own creativity in this world, many people do not take the time to focus on developing their creative skills.

Simply writing about real experiences and events that you have experienced over time can help with expanding your vocabulary and giving you better insight into problems you face at work or in your personal life. Creative writing is a particular form of language, and it has been around for centuries. Often viewed as the least efficient way to communicate, however, creative writing offers a variety of benefits which include self-expression, relaxation, and personal growth.

What is a Creative Writing Course?

Creative writing courses are the courses that teach you how to write fiction, poetry, and other forms of writing. Some people want to be writers but don’t know where to start. These courses are great for beginners who want to learn how to write their first book or those with experience who want more help in writing their second book.

A creative writing course can help you hone your writing skills, support you in the creation of a thesis and improve your understanding of the bigger picture associated with essay types. And hanging around with others tapping away at keyboards is a great way to work through any writer’s block .

It can be assumed that Creative writing is a form of self-expression. This is a form of art in which writers produce, with words, a literary or dramatic work that conveys their personal opinions and emotions. Creative writing can be used to tell a story, create characters, or even solve problems.

What is the Benefit of a Creative Writing Course?

A creative writing course is an intense experience where you will be encouraged and challenged to write with passion and enthusiasm. The course will focus on developing your creative writing skills, enabling you to develop your unique voice and creativity. Creative writing courses give students a chance to explore their ideas in a supportive environment.

You’ll learn how to develop characters, write dialogue and scenes from the perspective of different characters, create compelling narratives, and much more! The benefits of a creative writing course are numerous. You can write about anything that interests or inspires you, whether it’s travel experiences or the music in your head.

The beauty of this particular form of expression is that there are no rules or restrictions on what kind of material one should write about—just keep it honest and authentic!

Creative writing helps improve your reading skills. Reading more books will help improve your analytical skills as well as expand your vocabulary, but when writing creatively yourself, it forces you out of your comfort zone and makes it easier for other people to understand what makes sense in their heads (and also helps them learn more about themselves).

Creative writing courses can help you develop your writing skills, boost your confidence, and discover new ways of thinking about your craft. You can also use the course to explore topics that interest you. If you want to learn how to write creatively but don’t know where to start or where to look for information, there are plenty of resources out there to help you along the way.

Creative writing courses teach students how to write in a variety of styles and genres, from short stories to academic essays and novels. These courses are offered at various levels, including certificate programs. 

Who Can Take a Creative Writing Course?

Anyone can do it, but students who have completed a degree in English literature or writing will have the most success. Creative writing courses are also popular among those who have already published work in magazines, newspapers, or online.

There are Several Types of Creative Writing.

They include:, personal writing:.

Personal writing is a form of creative writing that involves you expressing your emotions, thoughts, ideas, and feelings. It can be used for personal reflection or as a way to express yourself to others. This type of creative writing can be used in many different ways at home, at school, or at work. 

Journaling and Diary Writing:

Journaling writing and diary writing is similar to personal writing because it involves expressing your thoughts and feelings about something that has happened in your life or something that is happening now.

Poetry is also a highly structured form of writing. It has a limited vocabulary and a simple grammatical structure. Poets use a meter to create rhythm and rhyme. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has five syllables.

The prose is more like writing you would use in everyday life, such as essays and stories. Because it is more conversational, prose has a much greater range of vocabulary than poetry allows. Prose can be humorous or serious, but it should not be overly formal or intellectual; it should be naturalistic.

The fiction involves creating characters and situations that seem real but are fictitious (not based on actual people or events). A work of fiction may involve elements of drama (such as conflict), fantasy (parallel universes), science fiction (time travel), horror, mystery, or romance.

Also Read: Creative Writing Techniques

Top 7 Free Creative Writing Courses Online

Writing is a great way to express yourself. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are seven free creative writing courses online that can help get your creative juices flowing:

Reedsy’s learning courses are designed to help you to develop your imagination and creativity. You will learn about the different types of stories and writing styles , how to structure a story, write dialogue and action scenes, create characters with personality, write about conflict in a story, and much more!

Here’s a list of Reedsy’s Free Creative Writing Courses:

• Novel Writing 101
• How to Write Mind-Blowing Fantasy Fiction
• How to Write an Irresistible Romance
• How to Plot a Novel Using: 3-Act Story Structure
• Developing the Characters That Your Readers Will Love
• How to Craft a Killer Short Story

You will also learn about different forms of writing including poetry, short stories , and novels. You will get creative freedom in this class by being able to choose the type of story you want to write. Your instructor will guide you through each exercise so that you can learn more about the craft of writing.

2. Open Edu

The Open Edu’s “Start Writing Fiction ” course is a free course that teaches students how to write fiction. The course includes resources, tips, and strategies for writing a short story, novel, or memoir. The course is taught by experienced tutors who have been working in the field of education for over 10 years.

The Content Includes:

•  How to develop your characters and settings.
•  How to use dialogue effectively and make it sound natural.
•  How to create tension in your plot (including rising action).
•  How to create conflict in your plot (including falling action).
•  How to write believable characters with distinct personalities and motivations.

Free creative writing courses teach students how to write fiction and non-fiction pieces that are both entertaining and informative. They also focus on improving a writer’s ability to create characters with unique personalities and voices. This can help writers become better at creating believable characters who seem like real people.

Also, check out the top-rated Online Creative Writing Courses

Learn how to write a novel like the best authors in the world through the best Udemy Creative Writing Courses. You can learn from the top-rated instructors. You can Develop your creative writing skills to the next level with these Udemy’s free creative writing courses. This program is designed to help students master the art of creative writing, from beginning to advanced levels.

Each course is structured in a way that allows you to work at your own pace, taking only as much time as you need for each assignment. When you enroll in this course, you’ll receive limited access to over 60 video lectures and up to 5 hours of content-rich material, which will help you prepare for each lesson.

Here’s a List of Udemy’s Free Creative Writing Courses:

• Inkitt’s Novel Writing 
• How To Create Best Characters For Your Novel or Screenplay 
• Edit Your Novel the Right Way
• Brainstorm Your Next Novel
• Write Dreamy And Imaginative Poetry With Creative 
• How to write poetry and publish it on social media
• How to Become a Romance Writer 
• Creative Writing – Writer’s Block Workbook Volume 1/2/3

The course has been designed for both beginners and experienced writers who want to improve their skills. It covers all the major topics related to creative writing, including beginnings and endings, character development, dialogue, and scene structure. You’ll also learn how to use various structures such as short stories, novels, and memoirs.

In addition, you will have access to valuable resources such as sample scripts and guides on how best to improve your writing skills in different genres.

4. Creative Writing Now 

Creative Writing Now is a freelance writing course that teaches people how to write fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This course is designed for people who have never written before or for those who have taken other courses but want more in-depth instruction. The course covers everything from the drafting process to editing, formatting, publishing, and promotion.

The course includes online homework and writing assignments as well as video lectures and guided exercises to help you learn how to write fiction and nonfiction. There are also many opportunities for interaction with the instructor and other students on the forum where you can ask questions or get feedback on your writing.

Here’s a List of Free Creative Writing Courses:

• Story Structure
• Bringing Characters to Life
• Essentials of Poetry Writing
• Essentials of Memoir Writing
• Irresistible Fiction
• Mastering Dialogue
• Mystery Writing
• Through Your Character’s Eyes

This course will help you develop your voice by encouraging you to express yourself differently. By doing these many people have been able to gain confidence in themselves and their writing ability which has given them a boost in their careers.

The creative writing course will give you a good understanding of the world around you through novels, poetry, and short stories as well as essays on any topic that interests you. You can choose an area of interest such as politics, science, or even history if this interests you more than anything else!

You may also want to opt for Non-fiction Writing Courses

5. Coursera

The best way to learn creative writing is to write. The Coursera creative writing courses are designed to help you do just that. Coursera offers a variety of creative writing courses, with instructors ranging from Pulitzer Prize winners to novices. These courses will teach you how to write your first novel, which can be anywhere from 30,000 words to 50,000 words.

These courses are part of the “University of Michigan / University of Wesleyan / California Institute of the Arts” Free Creative Writing program and are offered through Coursera.

The Following Are Some of the Best Free Creative Writing Courses on Coursera:

• Creative Writing Specialization
• Writing for  Young Readers: Opening up the Treasure Chest
• Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop

Coursera has hundreds of courses on creative writing, but these three are the top picks that contain fundamentals of creative writing such as :

Introduction to Creative Writing:

This course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to create fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or screenplays. It explores the art of storytelling through the study of literature and its historical roots.

Creative Writing for Children & Teens:

Crafting Stories That Capture Imagination. In this course, you will explore all kinds of stories including fiction, essays, and poetry written by children and teens. You’ll learn how to write short stories, longer works, and poems with real literary merit as well as tips on how to approach publishing your work in print or online.

Advanced Creative Writing:

In this course, you’ll learn how to use poetry as a powerful tool for expressing emotion through language, while also learning about the elements that make up poetry: meter, rhyme scheme, and stanza structure among others.

All of these above Coursera’s free creative writing courses duration is between 1 month to 3 months with a Certificate upon completion of each free creative writing course.

6. Writers’ HQ

Writers’ HQ is a creative writing course provider that offers a wide range of courses. They have over 10 years of experience in providing top-quality creative writing courses to students all over the world.

They Offer a Variety of Creative Writing Courses, Including:

• The Writers’ HQ Guide To Productivity
• Write A Tiny Novel
• Five Days Of Flash
• Editing 101

The Writers’ HQ Creative Writing Course is The most popular course, with over 17,000 graduates to date! This course provides an opportunity for you to learn how to write effective and engaging stories from start to finish. You will be introduced to a variety of fiction genres such as crime, thriller, and sci-fi alongside non-fiction topics such as self-help and travel.

The Writers’ HQ Novel Writing Course is designed for those who wish to write novels or short stories that can be published on Amazon or get them published by traditional publishers. This course will teach you how to create characters that capture the reader’s imagination, develop complex plots and use dialogue effectively so that your story reads like a novel.

Also Read: Content Writing Courses in India

7. Upskillist

Upskill is an online platform that offers writing courses and workshops for beginners. Their Creative Writing Classes Online Program is designed to help you improve your writing skills and improve the quality of your creative writing. Writing is a skill that everyone needs, whether you’re just starting or you’re looking for a better job in the future.

At Upskillist, They help students develop their writing skills by providing them with easy-to-follow lessons that will help them learn how to write better and improve their professional skills. Upskillist’s free creative writing courses are designed to help you improve your grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, punctuation, and much more! they provide daily assignments so that you can work on your writing skills at home or in class.

These Free Creative Writing Courses Are Divided Into 4 Models From Beginners to Advanced Writing Model:

Diploma in Creative Writing

Intermediate in Creative Writing

 Advanced in Creative Writing

Proficient in Creative Writing

Learn creative writing online with Upskillist for 4 weeks Duration which offers courses in both fiction and non-fiction writing. Learn how to write a book, start a blog, or pen an article. Their courses are designed for beginners and intermediate writers who want to improve their writing skills.

A creative writing course is a great way to explore the world of writing and develop your skills. Creative writing courses can be found in many different types of settings, including colleges, universities, and art schools. The best creative writing courses offer students the opportunity to work on their projects under the guidance of a professional instructor.

Students will learn how to improve their writing skills through practice and self-assessment. They will gain skills such as outlining, researching topics, developing characters, and executing creative techniques such as character arcs or plot twists.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

 q1: can i take creative writing courses at no cost.

Ans: Yes, you can take these courses online. You can follow the instructions that are given with every lesson and do it at your own pace.

 Q2.  What types of courses are available for creative writing?

Ans: There are many kinds of free creative writing courses. They include poetry classes, fiction classes, screenwriting classes, and much more.

 Q3. How do I get started in creative writing?

Ans: The best way to learn how to write creatively is by reading lots of classic novels and short stories by famous authors like Shakespeare, Homer, and Austen. The best way to become a writer is by practicing on your own.

Q4. What will I learn in Free creative writing courses?

Ans: Creative writing courses teach students how to write well and express themselves clearly. They also teach students how to tell a story through narrative, dialogue, and description.

 Q5. What do you do in a creative writing course?

Ans: When you take a creative writing class, you will learn about many different aspects of this profession including how to write poems and stories; how to research topics for your essays; how to develop characters for your novels; and much more. You will also learn about different genres such as science fiction, mystery fiction, romance novels, and more.

Conclusion:

Many people take creative writing courses because they want to improve their skills in expressing themselves through words. Many students who take creative writing courses are interested in becoming authors or journalists, but these are not the only reasons people choose to study creative writing. Some people enjoy the challenge of creating new works of literature while others would like to develop their ability to express themselves through language.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join Free Content Writing Demo Class

• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Our Upcoming Live Batch’s Starting From

Sunday batch - 28th april 2024.

Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (IST)

4 Seats Left

You May Also Like To Read

Google data science courses – syllabus, features, and more, top 6 digital marketing courses in richmond with placements, top 6 financial modeling courses in jamshedpur in 2024, top 5 digital marketing courses in sasolburg with live training, 5 business analytics courses in delhi with practical training, top 10 chemistry courses in mumbai in 2024, top 8 digital marketing course in laxmi nagar with placement, data science course syllabus by top 4 institutes, a complete guide to the role of copywriter in advertising.

• 100% assured internships
• Placement Assured Program
• 500+ Hiring Partners
• 100% Money Return Policy

Share Your Contact Details

• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Weekdays Batch - 16th April 2024

Tues & Thur - 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM (IST)

Saturday Batch - 13th April 2024

Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (IST)

Download Course Brochure

Weekend batch - 21st april 2024.

Every Sat & Sun - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (IST)

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download Hiring Partners List

Download tools list, weekend batch - 13th april 2024.

Every Sat & Sun - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Request for Online DEMO

Every Sat & Sun - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (IST)

• Learn From An Expert
• Steroids To Crack CAT Exam
• Flip The Classroom Concept
• Technology Driven

Request to Speak with MBA ADVISOR

• Select Course * * Select Course Advanced Search Engine Optimization Business Accounting & Taxation Course Business Analytics Master Course Content Writing Master Course Digital Marketing Master Course Data Analytics Master Course Data Science Master Course Financial Modeling Course Investment Banking Course GST Practitioner Certification Course Technical Writing Master Course Tally Advanced Course Other Course
• ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Talk To An Agent

Talk to our agent, download student's success report, weekday batch - 30th april 2024.

Every Tue, Wed & Thur - 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM (IST)

Request For a Callback

Start hiring.

• Company Name *
• Hiring for * Select Program Content Writer Digital Marketer Data Analyst Financial Modellers Technical Writer Business Accounting & Taxation Search Engine Optimization Investment Banking
• Attach Document * Max. file size: 256 MB.
• Company Name * First
• Select Program Select Program Business Accounting & Taxation Course Content Writing Master Course Digital Marketing Master Course Data Analytics Master Course Financial Modeling Course Search Engine Optimization Technical Writing Master Course
• Select Members Select Mumbers 1-5 6-20 21-50 51-100 100+
• Additional Comments

Creative writing workshops can take your writing to the next level. The chance to experiment with your writing in a community is invaluable, and getting live feedback on your work will propel you through your writing career.

That said, there are plenty of writing workshops where writers get less than what they bargained for. Finding the right group of writers to workshop with is a slow process—no different than dating or finding a therapist. Where can you find the best online writing workshops for you?

Consider this your go-to guide for navigating the internet of adult writing workshops. We’ll talk about different workshopping models and how they might work for you, and we’ll also look at how to get the most from your fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writing workshops.

But first, we ought to define this particularly nebulous aspect of creative writing education. What is a writing workshop?

Looking for the best online writing workshops?

If you’re looking for the best online writing workshops, look no further. Writers.com has been running online creative writing workshops since 1995. View our upcoming calendar to view the best writing workshops for you!

You can also navigate our courses by category:

• Short Story
• Personal Essay
• Lifestyle and Wellness
• Single-Day Zoom Sessions

What is a Writing Workshop?

People use the phrase “writing workshop” differently in different contexts, although it’s a rather vague term that writers use inconsistently. Here are some common ways you might see the term used:

• Online , a workshop is a complete writing course, including both lecture materials and opportunities for feedback from fellow students.
• In universities and MFA programs , a workshop is the aspect of a writing workshop where students give feedback to one another to improve their writing overall.
• At some online writing schools , a workshop is specifically a single-day Zoom-based workshop.

That said, “writing workshop” is a rather nebulous term that has a lot of applications. A workshop is any space where writers come to grow as writers. In short, a writing workshop is an open-ended term that describes different styles of creative writing education.

What is a writing workshop? An open-ended term that describes different styles of creative writing education.

For the purposes of this article, we are addressing multi-week online writing classes, as well as single-day webinars that have a workshopping component. Basically, we’re looking at any type of online learning space where students share their work, receive feedback, build new craft skills, and engage with a writing community.

Here’s what online writing workshops might look like, as well as tips for finding the best ones!

12 Things to Look For In the Best Online Creative Writing Workshops

Are you thinking about enrolling in a creative writing workshop? The best online writing workshops have these 12 things in common:

1. The Best Online Writing Workshops Have Well Respected Teachers

At most online writing schools, the instructor is the person who sets the syllabus, writes the workshop, and gives feedback to students. As a result, a good writing teacher makes all the difference in online writing workshops.

You want to be excited to learn from an instructor.

In addition to being a great writer and teacher, a great workshop instructor will be community-oriented, empathetic, and capable of tailoring their teaching to your writing needs.

Before you enroll in a writing workshop, do some research on the writer teaching it. Most professional writers and teachers will have a website, where you can peruse their work, degrees, and teaching history.

Some questions you might ask:

• Does the instructor have a terminal degree? (M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D., etc.)
• What do prior students say about this instructor?
• Does the instructor have a significant publication history?

On terminal degrees—they’re not necessary for running good creative writing workshops. But, they do indicate a certain level of craft training and teaching experience. Many terminal degree programs require students to learn how to teach creative writing. While you don’t need an M.F.A or Ph.D. to publish or teach writing, they certainly help.

Most importantly: are you excited about this instructor’s work? Do you like it? Do you connect with it? You want to be excited to learn from an instructor. They’re not just teaching craft, they’re teaching you their approach to crafting good writing.

2. The Best Online Writing Workshops Have a Clear Description

Enrolling in creative writing workshops involves a certain level of trust. If you haven’t taken a class with the organization before, you might not know how they run their classes or what you’ll get out of working with them. Writing programs should honor their side of the bargain by telling you exactly what you’ll get from their writing workshops.

Writing programs should honor their side of the bargain by telling you exactly what you’ll get from their writing workshops.

The descriptions for online writing workshops should tell you the following:

• What will you learn and write during the workshop?
• Who’s teaching the workshop, and what have they accomplished?
• How will your time be spent while taking the workshop?
• Who is this for? At what stage of your writing should you be in?

It helps to know what you’re looking for from your workshop. If you have certain goals in mind or ways you want to grow as a writer, be clear about these goals, and don’t spend money on workshops that simply won’t fit your needs. (That said, it can also be fun to enroll in random workshops and learn new writing skills—you’d be surprised what you’ll learn from a class that has nothing to do with your projects.)

If the description of the writing workshop aligns with your goals and needs, it should be a good fit. And, if you’re on the fence, it never hurts to ask the program administrators before you enroll. They’ll be glad to hear from you!

3. The Best Online Writing Workshops Prioritize the Student

Creative writing workshops place your experience front and center. The goal of a workshop is to expand your learning, work, and writing journey. If a writing course doesn’t promise to uplift your writing life, why would you take it?

If a writing course doesn’t promise to uplift your writing life, why would you take it?

A good writing school will acknowledge the risk involved in taking an adult writing workshop. Since online schools can’t confer college credit, and since you probably haven’t interacted with the workshop instructor before, you’re spending your time and money on a program that you haven’t used before.

So, why wouldn’t that school prioritize you ? You want to be confident that your writing, your creativity, and your time will be valued, otherwise you’re wasting your money on an experience you hardly learned from.

Check to see if the program itself has a student promise before you enroll in their writing workshops. If it doesn’t seem like the school will center your learning and growth as a writer, don’t take the risk—there are plenty of other schools to choose from.

4. The Best Online Writing Workshops Give Constructive Feedback

The feedback you receive in creative writing workshops will often prove the most valuable aspect of the course. Because most workshops are run by writers with Masters or Doctoral degrees, they’ve spent a fair amount of time giving and receiving feedback in competitive and community settings. As a result, they know a ton about the craft skills that make for good literature, and they know how to transmit those skills to their students.

Most importantly, a good writing instructor will tell you what you’re doing well in your writing.

The feedback you receive in online writing workshops will vary by the scope of the workshops and the backgrounds of the instructors. You might receive feedback on:

• Where the writing is effective
• Word choice that isn’t clear to the reader
• Ideas that can be expanded or shortened
• Sentences that are too long or too short
• Corrections in spelling and grammar
• Opportunities to improve the writing structure
• Feedback related to the elements of fiction , nonfiction, or poetry

Most importantly, a good writing instructor will tell you what you’re doing well in your writing. When you write a really great simile , have well developed characters , or find a moment of deep insight, your instructor will highlight this.

While it’s good to know what needs to be improved, writers can’t begin to improve until they also know what works in their poems and stories. This is how you build a foundation for good writing: start with what works, and sculpt from there. Writing workshops are the best spaces to build this foundation!

5. The Best Online Writing Workshops Focus on Craft

The best online writing workshops are centered around the craft of writing. Unlike English and composition classes, which focus on grammar, literacy, and the mechanics of language, creative writing workshops look at using these mechanics to write compelling, effective stories. And, in a writing workshop, you don’t just use the rules, you get to break them!

In a writing workshop, you don’t just use the rules, you get to break them.

The craft elements you focus on will vary based on the kind of course you’re in. If you’re taking poetry writing workshops, for example, you’ll focus on employing effective literary devices and studying different forms of poetry .

Likewise, in novel writing workshops, you might study elements like plot , point of view , and the art of storytelling .

Good writing workshops will break down great literature into the components that make it great, allowing you to read like a writer and employ these craft skills in your own work. And, learning the craft of creative writing helps you with everyday tasks, like sending emails or expanding your vocabulary.

6. The Best Online Writing Workshops Respect Your Creativity

The workshop is a space of unfettered creativity. Writers get to share their ideas, their experiences, and their creative, collaborative minds in the same space, making workshops the place to experiment with ideas. Of course, this is only possible if the workshop respects your creative authority.

We don’t “earn” the title of “writer,” we simply are writers, and a good writing course will uphold your integrity and creative vision, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

What does respect for your creative authority mean? It means that no one judges, criticizes, or condemns you for your writing and ideas. The best writing workshops will:

• Help you explore your ideas, rather than impose ideas upon you.
• Teach you the ropes of writing craft without telling you what to write.
• Show you what you’re already doing well in your work.
• Point out opportunities where the writing can be expanded, restructured, or clarified—in ways that help you carry out your creative vision.

Most importantly, this is true no matter how “new” you are to creative writing workshops . Whether you’ve submitted the first poem you’ve ever written or your thousandth, you deserve the same level of respect as everyone else in the room. We don’t “earn” the title of “writer,” we simply are writers, and a good writing course will uphold your integrity and creative vision, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

In a writing workshop, you may encounter many different ideas, but you also encounter the freedom to accept or reject those ideas. It’s your writing. You get the final say!

7. The Best Online Writing Workshops Create Community

What is a writing workshop without community? Writing can be a lonely practice, but a writing community makes all the difference. The best creative writing workshops foster a sense of community. In fact, many writers have come away from our courses with friends and writing partnerships that last for years and years!

A writing community can give you the motivation to create, the license to experiment, and the potential to learn even more about the craft of writing.

A writing community can give you the motivation to create, the license to experiment, and the potential to learn even more about the craft of writing. Because we all have very different literary backgrounds, we all have studied different authors and elements of the writing craft. When we write in a community, we naturally share what we’ve learned with one another, creating a culture of growth and inspiration.

Additionally, a strong writing community creates valuable feedback. When you write alongside people who know and enjoy your work, it is much easier to give and receive feedback, especially when these writers know what you’re trying to accomplish.

Many well-known authors throughout history have been a part of valuable writing communities, such as The Beat Poets, Stratford-on-Odeon, and these famous writing groups . Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and when you enroll in community-oriented online writing workshops, you foster the kinds of relationships and connections that can sustain your literary career.

8. The Best Online Writing Workshops Motivate You to Write

Because writing is often solitary, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get work done. Taking online writing workshops pushes you to put words on the page.

Sometimes, the biggest barrier is beginning, but creative writing workshops will spark your writing practice.

For one thing, these classes cost money, and when you’re spending money to write and learn about writing, you’re more likely to actually write and learn about writing.

But, it’s not just the monetary transaction that motivates writers in adult writing workshops. Your course might provide you with:

• Creative writing prompts
• Daily journaling assignments
• Helpful revisions
• Inspirational readings
• Ideas to combat writer’s block
• Different approaches to writing

Some writing workshops are even designed to motivate you, such as our class Write Your Novel! The Workshop With Jack . Sometimes, the biggest barrier is beginning, but creative writing workshops will spark your writing practice.

9. The Best Online Writing Workshops Jumpstart a Writing Habit

Because writing workshops require you to submit work every week, students will have to set up a consistent writing practice in order to meet these deadlines. Not only does this prepare you for your life as a published author (where deadlines are less flexible), but this also helps you master a key aspect of the writing life: a consistent writing habit.

To make the most of creative writing workshops, try to find time to write every day.

Writing every day isn’t just good advice, it’s essential to building a writing life. Writers who want to build careers out of their work, or at the very least publish books some day, will have to dedicate time every day to their work. When you engage with language each day, you build the skills necessary to write good books, and you also keep yourself creatively motivated. This is true especially for the days that are hardest to write on.

Of course, most of us lead very busy lives. How do we steal time as artists? Here are some ideas:

• Write with your morning coffee.
• Keep a journal on your phone during work and lunch breaks.
• Write on your commute to and from work. If you’re driving, keep an audio journal, where you write by speaking into your phone’s recorder.
• Write on your phone while running on the treadmill.
• Put pen to paper while taking a bath.
• Journal for 15 minutes before you go to bed.

These ideas won’t work for everyone, and it all depends on your schedule and lifestyle. Nonetheless, to make the most of creative writing workshops, try to find time to write every day. It’s best to write at the same time every day, but if your schedule doesn’t allow this, sneak time wherever you can. Balancing a career, a family, and a writing life isn’t easy, but when the work calls, you’ll find time to answer!

10. The Best Online Writing Workshops Broaden Your Literary Horizons

As writers, it’s important for us to know our literary history. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to read every piece of classic literature to start writing—in fact, many books published in the 19th century could never be published today.

If you want to publish your own work some day, it’s important to know what else is being published today.

But it does mean knowing the craft skills that went into both classic and contemporary books. It especially means having a sense of the contemporary literary zeitgeist. If you want to publish your own work some day, it’s important to know what else is being published today.

The best creative writing workshops broaden your literary horizons. When you read classic literature, you get a sense of the foundations of contemporary writing, and the ways that writers before us expanded the possibilities of literature as a whole. When you read contemporary literature, you get a sense of today’s publishing landscape and what people are looking for in the writings of today.

(If you plan to publish books by querying literary agents , reading contemporary work is crucial, because you need to have good comps in your query letter. Comps are books that have been published recently and are similar, in some ways, to your own.)

Now, this doesn’t mean you need to write like other authors. In fact, far from it. It’s better that you learn to write like yourself , because your most valuable asset as a writer is your voice. But, when you expand your literary horizons, you engage with literature and make decisions on what you do and don’t want to do in your work.

What do you like to read? What do you want to never read again? The more you read, the more you hone your own voice as a writer. Great writing workshops introduce you to literature that provokes these kinds of questions.

11. The Best Online Writing Workshops Provide a Creative Outlet

One of the best reasons to take online writing workshops is that they give you an outlet for feelings and creativity.

Writing workshops are a great supplement to a healthy writer’s life.

This is the result of the various reasons listed above for taking writing classes. By building community, creating a writing practice, and engaging with literature, you inevitably nourish your creativity. In doing so, you nurture a healthy space to explore your ideas and emotions—an essential aspect of any writer’s life.

Now, even the best online writing workshops can’t replace the benefits of therapy. We’re not saying you should ditch your therapist for a Writers.com class. But we are saying that writing workshops are a great supplement to a healthy writer’s life, because they create safe spaces for you to experiment with your work and explore your emotions freely on the page.

This is true even for writers of genre fiction or persona poetry. It’s true for participants in fiction writing workshops and memoir writing workshops. We gravitate to writing in part for its emotional release, and a great online class in creative writing will nurture this release. Between the prompts, community, and writing habits that a creative writing workshop fosters, you’re sure to come away from your workshop with renewed emotional health.

12. The Best Online Writing Workshops Provide Next Steps

The best creative writing workshops are the beginning of your writing life, not the end. When your workshop ends, you should come away with new ideas for writing, new publication opportunities to pursue, and new friends and mentors to nurture your writing journey.

The best creative writing workshops are the beginning of your writing life, not the end.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll find new opportunities for continuous growth. You might find a list of literary journals to submit to, new readings to stimulate your writing, further creative writing workshops to attend, or simply the emails and social media accounts of students you really enjoyed working with.

If you’re ready to move on to the next level of your writing, your instructor will provide you with next steps. And, if you want to learn more outside of the classroom, contact the instructor about this. We’re always excited by writers who want to keep learning and learning!

The Best Online Writing Workshops

Of course, we’re partial to our own workshops at Writers.com . Since 1995 we’ve offered the best fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and book writing workshops around the internet, inspiring thousands of writers to embark on their writing journeys, find their voices, and get published.

We offer both single-day webinars and multi-week workshops in all genres, and also offer opportunities for private coaching with our instructors. If you’re looking for the best, you’ve already found it. Drop us a line if you have any questions!

Check out our full schedule of upcoming classes here.

In addition to Writers.com, here are some online writing workshops that we’ve found offer fantastic creative writing education:

• Loft Literary
• Brooklyn Poets
• Creative Nonfiction

In Creative Writing Workshops…

You get to find great literature, meet fellow scribblers, build a writing habit, and, most importantly, take your writing journey to the next level. Why wait? Enroll in an online writing workshop today!

Sean Glatch

Thanks for the information it’s really enlightening

So glad I found this writing site. I have more exploring to do. I’m sure I will be back.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• The Open University
• Guest user / Sign out
• Study with The Open University

My OpenLearn Profile

Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning

Start writing fiction

Course description

Course content, course reviews.

Have you always wanted to write, but never quite had the courage to start? This free course, Start writing fiction, will give you an insight into how authors create their characters and setting s. You will also be able to look at the different genre s for fiction.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• identify strengths and weaknesses as a writer of fiction
• demonstrate a general awareness of fiction writing
• discuss fiction using basic vocabulary.

First Published: 09/08/2012

Updated: 14/05/2018

Rate and Review

Rate this course, review this course.

Log into OpenLearn to leave reviews and join in the conversation.

Create an account to get more

Track your progress.

Review and track your learning through your OpenLearn Profile.

Statement of Participation

On completion of a course you will earn a Statement of Participation.

Access all course activities

Take course quizzes and access all learning.

Review the course

When you have finished a course leave a review and tell others what you think.

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

About this free course

Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.

From pottery and theatre visits to creative writing and gallery tours, here are some of the free activities you can get involved in during Term Three.

Acrylic tile painting

Our weekly tile painting sessions are a chance for you to get creative and make your mark on campus as we’ll use the tiles you paint to create an NTU mural!

Between Drawing for Fun with Nonsuch Studios and drawing classes with Hannah Sawtell , you can sharpen your illustration skills with the help of professional artists. Invite your friends for a couple of hours of doodling fun.

Music workshops

Did you know NTU Music run DJ workshops during term time? They’re free to attend and a great way to try something new.

Free Lunchtime Concerts

If you prefer to experience music rather than create it, take a break and enjoy one of our Free Lunchtime Concerts . From vocal to instrumental, classical to folk and jazz, enjoy performances from talented fellow students in a relaxed setting.

Stop motion

Discover the basic principles of stop motion and use props, Lego, cardboard and your imagination to tell short stories on your mobile. Find out more .

Get ready for a pottery throw down with ceramic artist and NTU alum  Anna Colette Hunt . Make your own, one of a kind, candle holder using the pinch pot technique.

Creative writing

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced writer, you’ll find regular writing sessions and book clubs through WRAP , NTU Arts’ Writing, Reading and Pleasure programme.

This term, you can also hone your writing skills alongside Bad Betty Editor, Amy Acre, at the free WRAP Writing Masterclass and see your fellow students perform their collaborations with published writers at WRAP Live! X Bad Betty .

Theatre Visit: Punch

Join us for Punch , a play by BAFTA winner James Graham, exploring toxic masculinity, class, and forgiveness through the true story of teenager, Jacob Dunne's, journey from a mistake to redemption in Nottingham.

Gallery walkthrough

Head to Bonington Gallery for a free tour of our current exhibition , Karuppu by Osheen Siva, with BSL interpretation. While you’re there, discover Shahnawaz Hussain: My Nottinghamshire Perspectives in Watercolour and Peepshow: An Illusion Cut to the Measure of Desire in our extra gallery spaces.

You can find out more about these events as well as the rest of the NTU Arts programme by visiting our What’s On or sign up to the NTU Arts mailing list for updates, announcements and discounts direct to your inbox.

SDSU Extension, SD Humanities Scholar to host obituary writing workshop

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Leacey Brown never planned on writing someone else’s obituary. 

When the South Dakota State University Extension Gerontology Field Specialist began attending Molly Barari’s obituary-writing workshops, it was in a strictly professional capacity. 

“I just serve as technical support,” Brown said. 

The workshop helps people learn to write their own obituaries, and Brown did draft her own by following the class’s prompts. But when Brown’s older brother, Larry, died in July 2023, she suddenly found herself using the skills she’d learned in a different way. 

Her poignant obituary tells the story of Larry’s life with disabilities, his love of Mickey Mouse and his family’s sense of loss. It tells the truth in a gentle but unflinching way – something Brown said she learned from Barari’s instruction.

“That’s Molly,” Brown said. “Molly’s message is that the obituary should tell the story of who the person was. It should make you think of them, it should make you visualize them.” 

Brown picked up those skills during the Heirlooms Creative Life Writing Workshops, taught by Barari. Barari teaches three workshops in the series: life story/memoir writing, obituary writing and ancestor/genealogical writing. 

Brown and Barari, a South Dakota Humanities Scholar with advanced degrees in creative writing and adult education, started working together to host the workshops in 2021. While many participants are retirement-age adults, Barari said everyone over 18 is welcome.

The next obituary writing workshop is on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT/ noon to 2 p.m. CDT online via Zoom. It is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “heirlooms”. The third and final workshop in the series, genealogy writing, is via Zoom on Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CST on Oct. 10, 2024. Registration opens Aug. 29.

Obituaries don’t have to be formal or distant, Barari said. In fact, she said showing a person’s authentic life, the good and the bad, helps others to connect with that person. In her classes, she often shares an obituary about a woman who died from her struggle with alcoholism. The woman’s family said they hoped that by sharing her story, they can help others find their way out of similar struggles. 

“I think a lot of people tend to glamorize people who have passed and only talk about the positives,” Barari said. “We should talk about the positives, but also paint a realistic picture of someone’s life. And to show their humanity can be so powerful.”

By crafting their own obituaries, Brown and Barari said people have the chance to reflect on their own lives and accomplishments – including personality traits and quirks – and leave something behind for their loved ones. Obituaries also provide written records for future generations.

“It is a kindness to your family to write your own,” Brown said. “They don’t have to write it when they’re dealing with your death.” 

Barari provides the basics needed to publish an obituary via a newspaper and what information to include. But she spends most of the workshop helping people sketch timelines, milestones and memories they might want to include. 

“I think a lot of people aren’t aware that they can have a creative obituary,” Barari said. “They think it has to be very straightforward and factual, but it can be more creative and have more of a narrative. It can showcase your personality, not just your accomplishments.”

It’s one of the biggest takeaways of program participants, Brown said. In surveys evaluating the course, one person wrote “Obituaries do not have to be solemn or sad.” Another said, “Make the obituary personal.” Of the 25 participants who returned surveys, 13 said they plan to write their own obituary after the course. 

For Brown, it was a way to grieve. She interviewed her mother to hear stories and learned things she hadn’t known about her older brother. Ultimately, it was Brown’s gift to her mother. Even though it was emotional, it was worth it. 

“You’re going to cry. What helped me get through it was knowing that I could write an obituary that my mom would love,” Brown said. “I’m proud of that obituary. It was my own personal memorial to my brother.” 

For more information, visit mollybarari.com or contact Leacey Brown , SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist. 

Related Content

SDSU Extension program hosting diabetes self-management workshop in Mitchell

April 11, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension will host a series of Better Choices, Better Health-South Dakota workshops on diabetes management in Mitchell. The workshops are from 9:30 a.m. to noon CDT every Thursday from May 2 to June 6, 2024, at the Mitchell Recreation Center. They are free to attend and registration is required.

Rev It Up! curriculum

A nutrition and physical activity curriculum for high schoolers.

SDSU Extension partners with SD DOH for physical activity challenge

April 08, 2024

The Move Your Way spring physical activity challenge runs from April 15 to May 15, 2024. Everyone age 18 or older can participate in this virtual event.

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

english course, online writing courses, online english speaking for IELTS

• elektrostal'

Take IELTS test in or nearby Elektrostal'

There is no IELTS test center listed for Elektrostal' but you may be able to take your test in an alternative test center nearby. Please choose an appropriate test center that is closer to you or is most suitable for your test depending upon location or availability of test.

Closest test centers are:

Make sure to prepare for the IELTS exam using our Free IELTS practice tests .

Moscow, Russia

Students international - moscow cb, british council bkc-ih moscow, students international - moscow, vladimir, vladimir oblast, russia, students international vladimir, obninsk, kaluga oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih obninsk, nizhny novgorod, nizhny novgorod oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih nizhny novgorod, students international - nizhny novgorod, voronezh, voronezh oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih voronezh, veliky novgorod, novgorod oblast, russia, lt pro - veliky novgorod, kazan, tatarstan, russia, british council bkc-ih kazan, students international - kazan, st petersburg, russia, lt pro - saint petersburg, students international - st petersburg, saratov, saratov oblast, russia, students international - saratov, british council bkc-ih saratov, petrozavodsk, republic of karelia, russia, lt pro - petrozavodsk, students international - petrozavodsk, kirov, kirov oblast, russia, students international - kirov, samara, samara oblast, russia, students international - samara, british council bkc-ih samara, volgograd, volgograd oblast, russia, students international - volgograd, british council bkc-ih volgograd, rostov-on-don, rostov oblast, russia, students international - rostov-on-don, syktyvkar, komi republic, russia, students international - syktyvkar, perm, perm krai, russia, british council bkc-ih perm, students international - perm, ufa, republic of bashkortostan, russia, students international - ufa, british council bkc-ih ufa, kaliningrad, kaliningrad oblast, russia, students international - kaliningrad, lt pro - kaliningrad, krasnodar, krasnodar krai, russia, students international - krasnodar, stavropol, stavropol krai, russia, students international - stavropol, astrakhan, astrakhan oblast, russia, students international - astrakhan, magnitogorsk, chelyabinsk oblast, russia, ru069 students international - magintogorsk, yekaterinburg, sverdlovsk oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih ekaterinburg, students international - ekaterinburg, chelyabinsk, chelyabinsk oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih chelyabinsk, students international - chelyabinsk, murmansk, murmansk oblast, russia, students international - murmansk, tyumen, tyumen oblast, russia, students international - tyumen, omsk, omsk oblast, russia, students international - omsk, novosibirsk, novosibirsk oblast, russia, students international - novosibirsk, british council bkc-ih novosibirsk, tomsk, tomsk oblast, russia, british council bkc-ih tomsk, students international - tomsk, barnaul, altai krai, russia, students international - barnaul, other locations nearby elektrostal'.

• Zheleznodorozhnyy
• Orekhovo-Zuyevo
• Sergiyev Posad
• Podol'sk
• Novo-Peredelkino
• Ryazan'

An Overview of the IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to measure English proficiency for educational, vocational and immigration purposes. The IELTS measures an individual's ability to communicate in English across four areas of language: listening , reading , writing and speaking . The IELTS is administered jointly by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment at over 1,100 test centres and 140 countries. These test centres supervise the local administration of the test and recruit, train and monitor IELTS examiners.

IELTS tests are available on 48 fixed dates each year, usually Saturdays and sometimes Thursdays, and may be offered up to four times a month at any test centre, including Elektrostal' depending on local needs. Go to IELTS test locations to find a test centre in or nearby Elektrostal' and to check for upcoming test dates at your test centre.

Test results are available online 13 days after your test date. You can either receive your Test Report Form by post or collect it from the Test Centre. You will normally only receive one copy of the Test Report Form, though you may ask for a second copy if you are applying to the UK or Canada for immigration purposes - be sure to specify this when you register for IELTS. You may ask for up to 5 copies of your Test Report Form to be sent directly to other organisations, such as universities.

There are no restrictions on re-sitting the IELTS. However, you would need to allow sufficient time to complete the registration procedures again and find a suitable test date.

SHARE THIS PAGE

The reading, writing and listening practice tests on this website have been designed to resemble the format of the IELTS test as closely as possible. They are not, however, real IELTS tests; they are designed to practise exam technique to help students to face the IELTS test with confidence and to perform to the best of their ability.

While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use, cookie and privacy policy.

News from non-English countries

"They fell to the ground with screams": Russian Guards fired at children single near Moscow - there is a casualty

2023-08-20T20:58:57.477Z

Highlights: In Russia, in the city of Elektrostal (Moscow region), during demonstrations, Rosgvardia soldiers began shooting at spectators with children from machine guns with blank cartridges. One child received serious damage from a rebounded cartridge case. In the video, a child can be heard crying and screaming violently. It is also interesting that Russia recently arranged a solemn farewell to Vladimir Shestakov, convicted for the murder of a child, who became a mercenary of PMC "Wagner" and was liquidated in the war in Ukraine.

In Russia, in the city of Elektrostal (Moscow region), during demonstrations, Rosgvardia soldiers began shooting at spectators with children from machine guns with blank cartridges.

So far, one injured child is known.

This was reported by the local Telegram channel of the Cheka-OGPU.

"Small children were clutching their heads screaming and falling to the ground. Not without injuries. The child received serious damage from a rebounded cartridge case," the report said.

One of the witnesses to the incident posted a video. It was her child who was shot by the Russian Guards. In the video, a child can be heard crying and screaming violently.

After the woman realized that her child had been wounded, she called her husband and doctor.

Meanwhile, Russian occupier Ivan Alekseev in the war in Ukraine after a drunken quarrel killed his colleague and tried to cover up the crime, saying it was the work of "Ukrainian saboteurs."

It is also interesting that Russia recently arranged a solemn farewell to Vladimir Shestakov, convicted for the murder of a child, who became a mercenary of PMC "Wagner" and was liquidated in the war in Ukraine.

• The suspect in the murder of a military volunteer was released from custody
• They will teach "patriotism": Russians in the occupied territories launch cadet classes
• Russia has created another training ground near Mariupol: how many soldiers are in the city

Source: tsn

All news articles on 2023-08-20

United Nations: Sudan is facing “one of the worst humanitarian disasters” in modern history 2024-03-21T03:33:12.854Z

Kyiv shuddered from a series of powerful explosions 2024-03-21T03:23:28.523Z

Circular Agriculture at FIAGROP 2024 2024-03-21T03:23:21.922Z

Arvind Kejriwal fears arrest, knocks on Delhi High Court's door again in liquor policy matter 2024-03-21T03:23:15.102Z

Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike in the West Bank 2024-03-21T03:13:19.279Z

In the United States, Johnson will discuss the aid package for Ukraine and its partners in the near future 2024-03-21T03:13:12.851Z

Due to the controversial SB4 law, Guanajuato announces a plan to serve migrants in Texas 2024-03-21T02:53:12.390Z

The Air Defense Forces operates in Kyiv Region 2024-03-21T02:43:19.982Z

The Cubasol Business Group strengthens ties of academic collaboration with the Faculty of Tourism 2024-03-21T02:43:12.941Z

Enemy missiles entered the airspace of Ukraine 2024-03-21T02:33:37.780Z

Uruguay declares red alert in the center and southwest of the country due to storms 2024-03-21T02:33:31.535Z

Hindi Lecturer Exam 2022: 2 female candidates had appeared in the examination by applying fake degree of MA, Commission handed over to police 2024-03-21T02:33:25.488Z

Leaders of Democrats and Republicans insist on approval of the Senate version of aid to Ukraine - media 2024-03-21T02:33:18.991Z

Rajasthan: Preparations for traditional 'Gulaal Gota' begin in Jaipur before Holi. 2024-03-21T02:33:12.492Z

Female doctor jumped from Atal Setu, reason given in suicide note 2024-03-21T02:23:18.356Z

Two killed, one in critical condition after building collapses in Delhi's Kabir Nagar 2024-03-21T02:23:11.867Z

Petrol-Diesel Price: New prices of petrol-diesel released, it became so cheap in Bihar, UP, know the rate. 2024-03-21T02:13:19.142Z

Sheetala Ashtami fast will be observed on this date of April, know the date, method and importance 2024-03-21T02:13:12.650Z

Ukraine rapidly produces ammunition - WP 2024-03-21T02:03:18.086Z

Bishops from Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia visit the Darién area due to immigration issues 2024-03-21T02:03:11.785Z

The Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit by motorized riflemen from Transbaikalia near Volnovakha: at least 60 Russian occupiers were killed - mass media News/Politics 2024-02-21T01:01:05.199Z

Volleys from Grady, DRG hunting and drones: how do the residents of Semenivka live, who see Russia from the windows News/Politics 2024-01-25T17:38:35.096Z

Video: Woman buried under grain sacks, this is how people saved her life in a few seconds News/Politics 2024-03-17T06:46:55.059Z

The combat unit of a Russian drone was destroyed in Kherson: photo, video News/Politics 2024-01-27T17:09:27.867Z

12-year-old Palestinian boy shot dead by Israeli border police in Jerusalem refugee camp News/Politics 2024-03-13T02:11:17.856Z

Why Russia wants to capture Ukrainian Avdiivka — Reuters News/Politics 2024-02-06T14:42:19.481Z

Pskov paratroopers staged the execution of captured Ukrainians (video) News/Politics 2024-03-07T15:27:23.073Z

An unknown balloon fell on the Polish-Belarusian border: what was it? News/Politics 2024-03-09T19:58:15.364Z

"We drank water for lunch and listened to screams from torture": the doctor told about the horrors of Russian captivity News/Politics 2024-01-30T13:10:01.134Z

Tu-95 performed a maneuver in the area of ​​the launch lines: probable launches of cruise missiles - PS ZSU News/Politics 2024-03-21T01:13:11.401Z

Monitoring channels report the takeoff of additional enemy aircraft News/Politics 2024-03-21T00:23:23.332Z

More Americans evacuate Haiti on US helicopter flight. 'Multiple' trips expected, State Department says News/Politics 2024-03-21T00:23:17.348Z

Copy media sites.. Washington imposes sanctions on two Russians for their links to fake news sites News/Politics 2024-03-21T01:34:14.229Z

Uruguay declares red alert in the center and southwest of the country due to storms News/Politics 2024-03-21T02:33:31.535Z

After Holi, Venus and Rahu are going to come closer, these zodiac signs will get lucky! News/Politics 2024-03-21T01:03:37.050Z

Female doctor jumped from Atal Setu, reason given in suicide note News/Politics 2024-03-21T02:23:18.356Z

The defense of Genaro García Luna once again requests the annulment of the verdict that convicted him News/Politics 2024-03-21T00:23:10.860Z

Shmyhal: Ukraine received 1.5 billion US dollars from Canada News/Politics 2024-03-21T01:23:17.387Z

A Canadian newspaper faces accusations of anti-Semitism over a cartoon depicting Netanyahu as a vampire News/Politics 2024-03-21T01:23:23.574Z

© Communities 2021 - Privacy