Top 9 Skill-Oriented Creative Writing Courses in Galway

Writing, in simple terms, is a way of communicating your thoughts and views through words. It is a skill that is in demand almost across all industries. It is a medium that helps people connect with a company’s brands and ideas. People always connect through stories and experiences. Writing a story that speaks of the human elements of products and services is one of the most crucial skills that will help you grow and connect with people. There are different types of writing, one of which is creative writing. This article will introduce you to the vast world of creative writing and help you find several options for creative writing courses in Galway.

What is Creative Writing?

Before talking about the various creative writing courses in Galway, let us discuss a few basic aspects of creative writing. Creative writing is a form of writing that conveys ideas in an expressive and imaginative way. It is writing that goes beyond the journalistic, professional, academic, or technical forms of writing. It is about adding your own elements and flair and weaving a story that is rich in imagination and innovation. The intent of creative writing is to stir people’s emotions and engage them with your story.

Types of Creative Writing

Fiction and Poetry are often considered to be the major types of creative writing. However, there are several other kinds of creative writing that you can explore. Some of them are:

• Poetry: Poetry is one of the most artistic forms of writing. There are many kinds of poetry including haiku, free-verse, sonnets, and blank verse. It offers the writer a chance to play with words and rhythm to convey evocative ideas and images. As said by the American poet Rita Dove- “Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.”

• Novels: Novels are considered one of the most popular forms of creative writing. They are extended works of fictional prose and are found in many genres including thriller, romance, young-adult, and adventure.

• Scripts/ Screenplay Writing: This includes writing for movies, television, radio programs, video games, etc. Scriptwriting is also required for social media posts and Youtube videos which makes this one of the most in-demand skills. Similar to poetry and novel, these forms of writing also demand writing that evokes emotions and artistically presents human experiences.

• Journals: Journal refers to any kind of written log, it could be a goals journal, a habit journal, or a gratitude journal. Many people journal for therapeutic reasons, however, journals can also be considered a type of creative writing.

• Advertising and Marketing: Creative writing is used extensively in the field of advertising and marketing. Creativity is needed in almost every aspect of advertising right from designing ads to coming up with interesting taglines.

Other types of creative writing include blogging, limericks, songs, comic strips, and plays. Depending on your interest, you could master any of these forms of writing while pursuing creative writing courses in Galway.

What Are the Elements of Creative Writing?

Some of the prominent elements of creative writing are as follows:

• Plot: This is the basic outline of your work.
• Characters: Characters include the people who will appear in your work and those who will react to the plot.
• Setting: Setting refers to the time and location where the events of your plot unfold.
• Theme: This refers to the central idea of your work. It is the underlying truth that connects the different parts of the plot.
• Characterization: This refers to how you build a character and describe their traits, personality, actions, motives, and development throughout the plot.

Also Read: Online Creative Writing Courses

Institutes Offering Creative Writing Courses in Galway 

1. IIM SKILLS

IIM SKILLS is one of the prominent institutes that provides training to aspiring writers. Their four-week Content Writing Course includes an exhaustive module that covers creative writing. It is a 30-hours course that includes 14 hours of internship sessions. The Content Writing Master Course by IIM SKILLS is ranked no.1 by media houses, top Content Writing Agencies, and top Education Blogs like Naukri Learning, Contentholic, Careers360, etc.

The course includes assignments and case studies that help students prepare for the job market. It is divided into 16 modules that cover several major topics including SOP, Keyword Research, Creative writing, and E-book writing.  The creative writing courses in Galway offered by IIM SKILLS will also teach students how they can go about publishing their first book on Kindle or Google Books (Live).

The faculty at IIM SKILLS consists of industry experts. The curriculum has been designed following immense research which makes it one of the best courses out there. Students will be awarded a globally accredited Master Certification from IIM SKILLS following the successful completion of the course.

The content writing course by IIM SKILLS is the foremost choice for aspiring writers as they know what facilities they provide with excellent training. The expert faculty keep motivating the students to work on their abilities and helps them refine their skill to the highest version of themselves.

Being professionals and having years of experience, they know what it takes to master the skill and make a presence in the competitive world. And they have covered all these in the course to make you aware of the right pathway. Thousands of students have transformed their careers by learning with the expert faculty of IIM SKILLS and are living their dream careers.

If you also want to upskill yourself with the updated industry requirement, this is the place for you. The support system of the institute makes sure to fulfill the student’s needs and solve all the queries to make them feel confident and job ready. You can take the advantage of excellent training by enrolling in their creative writing courses in Galway, named as a content writing course.

Professional Courses from IIM SKILLS

• Digital Marketing Course
• SEO Course
• Technical Writing Course
• GST Course
• Financial Modeling Course
• Business Accounting And Taxation Course
• CAT Coaching

Contact: +919580740740, [email protected]

2. NUI Galway

The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway), which was started in 1845, is recognized internationally as a research-led university. It offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Writing. NUI Galway’s Bachelor of Arts (English and Creative Writing), a four-year course, is a good option for students who are looking for creative writing courses in Galway.

The course is designed to provide practice-based learning and experience. Major genres of creative writing including Nonfiction, Poetry, and Playwriting will be taught as part of the course. A speaker from the writing industry will visit the class each week to interact with the students. In the third year, students will get to focus entirely on their Creative Writing project(s).

For More Information:

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +353 91 495612

NUI Galway’s MA (Writing) is a one-year course. The curriculum covers several genres and forms. Students must complete six modules as part of the course. Graduates completing these courses have gone on to work in various fields like teaching, journalism, publishing, editing, public relations, and marketing. Almost 45 books have been published by authors from NUI Galways’ MA course.

For More Information:

E-mail: [email protected]

Recommended Read: Creative Writing Courses in Adelaide

3. Creative Writing Ink

Creative Writing Ink (CWI) is managed by the writer and publisher Olive O’Brien. They provide many creative writing courses through online mode. Students can enroll and improve writing skills through one-on-one exercises, lectures, and critiques. A course facilitator will work with students to help them hone their writing at their own level.

The creative writing courses in Galway offered by CWI will be delivered through one-to-one email correspondence. So, this is a convenient course, as all you need is a system and internet access. Students will receive feedback once every week upon submission of their assignments.

For More Information:

E-mail: [email protected]

Recommended Read: Creative Writing Courses in New Zealand

4. Irish Writers Centre

The Irish Writers Centre is also a good option for students who are looking for good creative writing courses in Galway. This center provides several courses for writers at every stage of their careers. It was started in 1991 and is considered one of Ireland’s leading centers for all aspects related to Irish Literature.

The center aims to provide opportunities to people across all communities to engage in the art of creative writing. The courses are offered by famous writers across several fields including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, and short stories. They offer both online and in-person learning opportunities.

They also offer self-paced courses that allow students to learn at times that are convenient for them. Workshops catering to many niche forms of writing are also organized by the center. Interested students can visit their website and choose the niche they wish to learn. Some of the upcoming classes cover topics like Comedy Writing, Writing and Illustrating Children’s picture books, Ecopoetry, etc.

For people who are looking to master a specific form of writing, The Irish Writers Centre has no dearth of learning options. You can sign up for their free newsletter if you wish to stay updated on all their upcoming workshops and courses

For More Information:

E-mail: [email protected]

5. Udemy 

Founded in May 2010, Udemy is a massive open online course (MOOC) provider that aims to provide skill-building and skill-upgrading opportunities to professional adults and students. As of May 2022, Udemy is said to have more than 52 million students, 196,000 courses, and 68,000 instructors.

This platform is one of the best options for pursuing creative writing courses in Galway. The creative writing courses on Udemy will help students enhance their writing skills. If you are looking to publish a novel, Udemy has a course that teaches how to create interesting characters and an engaging narrative structure.

They also have courses on topics like creative non-fiction writing, poetry writing, creative writing for kids, mastering the use of similes, metaphor and figurative language, and fantasy writing.

On the other hand, if you are someone who is looking for a course that covers almost everything, the platform also has a detailed Creative Writing course that covers all major genres. The COMPLETE Creative Writing – All Genres Course can help students sharpen their writing techniques and become confident writers.

Recommended Read: Creative Writing Courses in London

6. edX

edX is a massive open online course provider that aims to provide high-quality education to everyone, everywhere. They offer more than 3600 courses. Students can consider edX as one of their options for creative writing courses in Galway. edX offers various creative writing courses that will help you refine your writing skills.

The courses are offered by prominent universities like the University of British Columbia (UBCx), the University of Cambridge, and the University of California, Berkeley (BerkeleyX). UBCx offers fiction writing courses that can help you with novel writing. The University of Cambridge has a course that will teach students the skills required to write for Performance and the Entertainment Industries.

It also has a course on Comedy Writing and Performance Poetry. BerkeleyX has a series of courses that teach English Literature and Composition. Students can choose according to their requirements and learn through online mode. They will receive a certificate following the successful completion of the course.

Recommended Read: Creative Writing Courses in Brighton

7. Coursera

The US-based massive open online course provider, Coursera, was started in 2012. This online learning platform works with universities and other organizations to offer online courses. Candidates who wish to pursue creative writing courses in Galway can consider Coursera as one of their options as it offers courses that cover several forms and genres of writing.

The Creative Writing Specialization offered by Wesleyan University on Coursera teaches about three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. The Specialization includes 5 courses that cover all major topics right from crafting your plot to enhancing your writing style. The California Institute of the Arts offers a course to sharpen your poetry writing skills.

8. Martin Keaveney Creative Writing

Martin Keaveney, a John McGahern scholar and Associate Lecturer at NUIG, offers several writing courses that can be pursued from the comforts of your home. Students can choose from the various Creative Writing and Irish Literature courses based on their interests.

Under Creative Writing, Martin Keaveney provides options like- Creative Writing: Introduction, Creative Writing: Intermediate, Creative Writing: Portfolio, etc. If you are looking for a course with a more detailed and comprehensive curriculum, Creative Writing: Complete could be a good option. This course is both for beginners and those with some experience. Martin Keaveney also offers a range of courses related to Irish Literature.

Recommended Read: Creative Writing Courses in Germany

9. Writers’ HQ

Writers’ HQ was started back in 2012 by Sarah Lewis and Jo Gatford with an aim to change the world by telling stories that matter. They offer a range of creative writing courses that will help students improve their skills and technique.

Here are some of the courses offered by them:

• The First Draft
• Beginner’s Guide To Flash Fiction
• Create A Short Story Collection
• Plotstormers: How To Plot A Novel

Writers’ HQ also offers four free courses. They organize Online Writers’ Retreat every single weekend and also mid-week. They conduct other interesting events like spoken word night and journaling webinars every month.

For More Information:

E-mail: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What skills are required to begin a successful career in creative writing? 

The creative writing courses will help you build the skills needed to become a good writer. Some of the skills required to start professional creative writing are:

• Research skills
• Vivid Imagination
• Language Skills
• Editing Skills
• Motivation & Self-Discipline
• Communication skills
• Time Management
• Basic Technical know-how
• Ability to promote your work

2. What are the different career opportunities in the field of creative writing?

The skills that students learn while pursuing creative writing courses will open a variety of career prospects and opportunities. Here are some of the jobs you can look for as a creative writer:

• Copywriter
• Journalist
• Blogger
• Social Media Manager
• Editor
• Publisher
• Magazine Editor
• Screenwriter
• Cultural Consultant
• Linguist
• Professor
• Author/Writer
• Junior/Senior Creative Strategist

3. How to improve creative writing skills?

• Read, read every day. Reading is the most basic prerequisite for becoming a good writer. This helps you to learn from the best and also expands your imagination.
• Practice every day. It is important to write every day, be it for 10 minutes. The more you write, the more it will help you sharpen your skills.
• Become more observant in your daily life. This will help you design your setting and characters in a more realistic way.
• Learn basic grammar to ensure a good flow in your writing.
• Focus on building your characters and settings as these elements will bring your work to life.
• Always proofread your work. Keep editing and re-visiting your draft as required. Once you are done writing, take a break and re-visit your work with a fresh mind. This will help you when you start editing your work.

Conclusion

This article has talked about creative writing and the various options for creative writing courses in Galway. It is important you choose a course based on your requirement and comfort. Creative writing courses can help you refine your skills and work on developing a good career. There are many jobs today that require creative writers. One of the most prominent among them is digital marketing. These courses will guide you and equip you with the skill set required for these jobs.