Top 7 Professional Creative Writing Courses In The World

In recent times, creative writing has become a popular subject on the internet that helps improve your writing abilities and styles, be it in your academic or professional life. But what is it all about, which are the best creative writing courses in the world, and how can you find the best one for you? So keep reading and you will find answers to all your questions. But first, let’s begin with what is creative writing.

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an artistic form of writing that is not bound to the conventional spheres of academic, professional, and technical writing types. It focuses on elements such as character development, narrative, and plots. Keep reading to explore further the elements of creative writing, thereafter, we will also be looking into the best creative writing courses in the world.

Before we move on to the elements of creative writing, it is important to note that creative writing includes different genres and styles of writing which comes under mainly two categories i.e. Fictional and Nonfictional writing.

Some Examples Include:

• Novels
• Short stories
• Poetry
• Memoirs
• Plays
• Tv show/movie scripts
• Speeches

In order to make your content worth reading, it is important to include the below-mentioned elements in your writing.

Unique Plot:

To be called a creative writer, it is necessary to have a story. And a story comes from a unique plot that has to be thought upon very carefully as a plot is what makes creative writing different from other forms of writing. Else, all you’ll be doing is writing facts on a sheet of paper just like a journalist.

Character Development:

Character development is defined as the process of building a character with depth and personality just similar to real-life human beings who go through a series of changes and evolve throughout the story. Therefore, character development is essential to any story as this will make the readers devoted to knowing more about their life/journey.

Underlying Theme:

The underlying theme is the meaning or message the writer conveys to the audience through their story/novel/play. Every story has an underlying theme whether it is intentionally discovered or it is simmering under the surfaces.

Visual Description:

Visual description would include everything in your script that would define the surroundings where the story is set in. It provides information about the visual appearances of objects, people, spaces, etc. which help the readers know more about the setting wherein the character of the story lives or is currently.

Point of View:

Point of view is referred to as the “eyes” of the narrative. It is described as the outlook which the writer wants to pass on to the readers be it in either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person.

The Most Common of These is the First and Third-person Views:

• First Person: This point of view uses words like “I”, “me”, and “we”. Here, the narrator plays the role of a protagonist.
• Second Person: This point of view uses words like “you”, “your” or “us”. You will rarely observe the second-person view being used in novels and story writing. Instead, it is more used in instructional writing such as in blogs.
• Third Person: This point of view uses words like “he”, “she”, and “they”. This includes further two types:

OMNISCIENT, wherein the narrator is aware of all the thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story.

And LIMITED, in which the narrator only shares their own thoughts, feelings, and knowledge of the characters and various situations.

Creative writing requires some sort of dialogue between the characters to make it more interactive and support the plot which is dissimilar to non-creative writing wherein the dialogue is not used in the same way (like in interviews).

 Imaginative Language:

What makes writing creative is how well you use the language to describe your imagination by including detailed descriptions of the characters, setting, and situations and this can be done by using more anecdotes, similes, metaphors, and figures of speech to make it more appealing.

Emotional Appeal:

One of the most powerful writing skills is conveying the right emotion to the reader through your writing. And that is the whole purpose of writing wherein how you make people feel the way you want them to through your story.

Moving Ahead, It Is Important to Answer This Question: What Makes a Good Piece of Creative Writing?

The answer to this simply is that there is nothing like a pre-arranged set of guidelines that can help us create a “good” piece of writing. Creative writing in itself means writing out your own thoughts and imaginations using your own “flair” for writing. Creative writing would never adjust into a single genre and therefore, there would never be an umbrella definition to describe a “good” piece of writing.

Just try comparing the features of a Gothic Short Story to a Romantic Poem, the two of them are so different and it would be totally unfair to judge them together. Nonetheless, there are some fundamental principles that can be followed to make our creative writing skills as authentic and as strong as possible.

These Include:

Knowing Your Audience:

In order to write a great plot, it is essential to know for whom you are writing it. This will allow you to read their thought process and will induce a better connection between you and the reader. For instance, what you will write for readers whose interest lies in action and thriller stories, will be a lot different from those who are more inclined towards romantic and drama plots. Therefore, any creative writing should first begin with mapping out the target audience which will eventually help the writer get a direction and make writing easier.

Write What is Original:

A story worth reading is one with which the reader is able to connect and wants to read more of it. This is only possible when you write what we call as That could either be the writer’s imagination which he uses to come up with a unique plot or could be about his/her own life story. This authenticity is produced when the writer is aware of the various elements of writing and applies them to his own writing style which makes the reader engaged.

Creativity is Essential:

Creative writing is itself built up with the word creative which by default has everything to do with the writer’s imagination and unique ideas which will make a story. This creativity will help the writer think unconventionally and set him/her apart from others in their genre. Also, it is equally important to use literary devices to make your writing fancy by including alliterations, metaphors, similes, adverbs, etc.

Boost Your Imagination:

There is no rule book that can help you in creative writing. It is something that comes from your own thoughts and imagination. It is how far you can push your mind to think innovatively and craft something that captivates the mind of the readers and makes them think about your writing to the core.

Plot a Loose Story Arc:

A story arc becomes essential when creating a plot since it makes your writing easier and reduces the chances of flaws and vague writing which can ultimately scale down the interest of the readers. Pre-planning a loose story arc helps the writer follow the lines and create strong, structured, and engaging content for their readers.

Develop creative writing skills with the top-ranked Online Creative Writing Courses

Now, You Must Be Wondering, Can Creative Writing Be Taught?

The answer to this is Absolute! It is possible to learn creative writing and you must be aware that there are many websites, institutes, and universities that are offering some of the best creative writing courses in the world online, either for free or charging some amount of fees for the learning. We will be exploring the best creative writing courses in the world further in this article. But first, you must be curious to know the Prospects of choosing Creative Writing as a career.

When we think of creative writing as a career opportunity, all that pops up in our mind is journalists or script writers. But with the increasing use of social media and digital platforms, there’s a significant surge in content creation which ultimately would require good writers to produce high-quality content.

So, if you think that you have the potential for good writing and you can write content for companies and brands that is engaging and appealing, then you shouldn’t limit yourself and make a career out of this field. But for that, you will be requiring certification or a degree in creative writing and for that, we will be going through the best creative writing courses in the world which will eventually increase your chances to get hired as a content writer or copywriter or any other related fields you apply for.

There are plenty of job opportunities for creative writers which is a mix of all kinds of innovative works, which include a diverse range of genres, such as fiction writing, blog posts, travelogues, science and technology fiction, and so on. It also comprises script writing for TV shows and movies.

Furthermore, creative writing jobs also include writing for feature news, food blogging and reviewing, writing for online magazines, etc. Apart from this, creative writers can also work as freelancers and help provide consultations or write for their business profiles and company websites.

What Should I Look for While Taking Up an Online Creative Writing Course?

On one hand, online creative writing courses can help you provide the right writing techniques and develop your skills, on the other hand, it becomes essential to enquire properly about the course you take up online. Let us look at some of these factors that should be considered while you search for the best creative writing courses in the world and select the best one for yourself.

A Strong Circle:

This consists of various factors such as the student-student relationship and the student-teacher relationship. It is always preferable to look for courses where the class strength is smaller as this will allow the instructor to pay individual attention to the participants and foster a positive environment. This will also enable the students to get proper feedback and insights on the work they do during the course.

Before you enroll in an online course, it is best to do your research work at the institution that is providing the program. This can be done by first visiting their website and enquiring about the course and its prospects. After which you can visit other websites and blogs that must have reviewed the particular course/institution that is providing the course.

It is important to note here that only institutions that are well known, renowned, and have had positive feedback about the programs they offer would be reviewed by other websites and you would also discover various blogs on the best creative writing courses in the world. So make sure to check that beforehand. Also, it’s a must to read the reviews given by real students who have taken up the courses there.

Experienced Instructors:

Before you take up the course, do check out the teaching faculty who will be guiding you throughout the course. The teacher should be well qualified and must have relevant experience in teaching.

Personalized Feedback:

When the class is smaller, it would mean the students will get proper and effective feedback for their assignments. This will also help the ones who have previously been writing and want experienced suggestions and feedback for their work to improve their writing.

The teachers with a good amount of experience would be able to point out the slightest of mistakes and help in improvisation. Mostly, the websites that are reviewed under the best creative writing courses in the world contain all the below-mentioned aspects and that is the reason they gain popularity and word of mouth.

Also, check out the excellent Creative writing Courses in India to excel in writing skills for a rewarding career.

Here is a List of Some Career Paths That You Can Take Up After Taking One of the Best Creative Writing Courses in the World:

• Author
• Blogger
• Scriptwriter
• Communication consultant
• Editor
• PR manager
• Digital Copywriter
• Advertising copywriter
• Proofreader
• Social media manager
• Speechwriter
• Ghosh writer
• Freelancer

Now, It is Time to Help You Explore the Best Creative Writing Courses in the World That You Can Choose From and Kick-start Your Creative Writing Career. So, Let’s Begin:

1. IIM SKILLS:

IIM SKILLS has the best content writing course online because of the amount of curriculum they deliver to their students. It is by far one of the best creative writing courses in the world. The course will help you master 30 types of writing skills in 140 hours of a learning program.

By the end of the program, you will be able to master various fields of writing including articles, blogs, E-book, business listings, product descriptions, press releases, academic writing, video scripts, brochures, flyers, digital infographics, legal writing, email writing, SEO, creative writing, resume writing, social media writing and much more.

All these modules are taken up keeping in mind the digital era wherein brands and businesses are getting more active in order to gain more audiences and interact with them.

The Insights Into the Content Writing Course Are as Follows:

• 4 weeks of live online sessions
• 3 months of guaranteed internship which is optional
• 30 hours of training which includes (16 hours of lectures + 14 hours of internship sessions)
• Free tools worth 35k
• Freelancing opportunities and a committed placement cell
• Certification of completion accompanied by the preparation of Hubspot content marketing certification (USA) & toles (test of legal English center Cambridge, UK)

Along with this, you will also be writing your first blog during your internship period for TOI (TIMES OF INDIA). And for those who are willing to publish their books, IIM SKILLS will provide them assistance for the same and get it published on Kindle and Google Books.

The Course Fees is 14,900/- + 18% GST

To enroll in the course, you can head on to their website and under courses choose the content writing master course.

IIM SKILLS CONTENT WRITING COURSE MODULES & CONTENT

The Skills That You Will Develop Post Completion of the Course:

• Get knowledge of various tools such as google analytics, Canva, WordPress, keyword planner, Ubersuggest, etc.
• Understanding to write various content on the web.
• Create your own website and post content as a freelancer.
• Research trending keywords related to your topic and get higher rankings.
• Create SEO-friendly content and optimize your web pages using organic SEO.
• Write engaging content for your audience and master various tools to check for grammatical errors and plagiarism.
• Design copyright-free images for your blogs and other content using designing tools.

The program can be taken up by students, digital marketers, entrepreneurs who want to showcase their brand to the world on digital platforms, and even housewives who are willing to upskill themselves and work from home. IIM Skills comes first in the list of the best creative writing courses in the world.

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. British Council of India

If you have a passion for writing, then you can convert your hobby into your full-time writing career with British Council’s Creative Writing Course- Module 1.

The Course Will:

• Develop your art of expressing and style of writing
• Help you give your thoughts a direction
• Enhance your skills and knowledge of literature
• Acknowledge various forms of writing elements and styles

The Course Schedule is as Follows:

• 36 hours of learning spread over 9 weeks
• Online weekend classes
• Digital certificate
• Program Fees 10,000/- Rupees.

Note: Required English Language Level Should Be Upper Intermediate Level I.e Level-B2

Learn more about the best Creative Writing Courses in Delhi

3. Coursera

This creative writing specialization course offered by Wesleyan University helps you master three genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. This course will help you master the tricks of a good writer which will eventually help you craft a unique story in a fresh setting using your own vivid style. The level of the specialization is for Beginners and thereby, it can be taken up by anyone, from a short story writer to a novel writing author.

The Course Curriculum Includes 4 Courses Which Are as Follows:

• Course 1: The Craft Of Plot
• Course 2: The Craft of Character
• Course 3: The Craft of Setting and Description
• Course 4: The Craft of Style

And lastly, there will be a capstone project wherein the participants will be drafting a story, narrative essay, or memoir of their genre post which they will be provided with a certificate of completion. There is no time limit to completing the course, hence can be pursued at your own speed. Looking into these benefits, it is again one of the best creative writing courses in the world.

The Skills That You Will Gain From This Specialisation Are:

• Short story writing
• Fiction writing
• Creativity
• And copy editing

4. Udemy

This complete creative writing course by Udemy is perfect for those who want to master the skill and learn all the genres of creative writing. The course is inclusive of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction writing which sums up all the genres. It is ideal for those who have a passion for writing and are now wanting to make employment out of it. During the program, you will be able to work on your writing, the use of literary devices, and various styles and elements of literature.

The Course Includes:

• 12 hours of on-demand video (43 video lessons + 37 quizzes on major topics)
• 145 downloadable resources
• Lifetime access
• Certificate of completion

The Course Fee is 389/- Rupees

The Learning Outcomes of the Course:

• Master the four genres of creative writing
• Apply the writing styles and elements to your own writing
• Put your thoughts into proper words that will engage the reader
• Explore various online and offline channels wherein you can post your content and attract readers
• Work on your strengths and weaknesses during various projects

The course is apt for all those who have a hobby to write but lack the theoretical knowledge as to how to write effectively so that you can make writing a career option and explore new fields.

5. Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers short courses on varied topics. Here you get to select from varied course options. For instance, there are courses to help you with personal writing, storytelling, character-driven short stories, editing, and proofreading, formatting your Ebook, copywriting, creative blogging, novel writing, and a lot more.

The course can be learned at your own place and you get unlimited access. The students get assignments for the lessons learned during the session. It can be taken up by anyone from a beginner to an expert who would want to upskill themselves.

Here are the top-notch Creative Writing Courses in Pune

6. Future Learn

Very similar to skillshare, Future Learn also provides courses for creative writing. There are in total 17 courses under creative writing from which you can choose the one of your interest and learn the skill at your own place and make progress in your writing career. The courses are conducted by recognized universities that provide one of the best creative writing courses in the world.

7. edX

Just as Future Learn offers courses from renowned universities, edX is another such e-learning platform where you can find courses offered by universities all around the globe such as Northwestern University, University of Cape Town, University of British Columbia, Arizona State University, and many more. edX is providing 71 different courses on creative writing which will help you gain knowledge on various aspects of creative writing.

So, in all, you get a range of options to choose the best course for yourself and advance your career in writing. Here, it is essential to note that there will be various websites that will help you find the best creative writing courses in the world, but then you should look for courses keeping in mind your preferences and what you wish to gain at the end of your course module.

Also Read: Creative Writing Courses in Bangalore

FAQ About The Best Creative Writing Courses in The World

Q1. I have never written before but have an interest in writing. Can I still take up creative writing?

If you are interested in creative writing and want to improve your writing craft, then you can follow the tips below:

Read As Much As You Can: Reading is something that will help you get out the right words for what you are thinking. And this can be done when you read from various other genres and sources available. Your inspiration will come when you read what other writers have written.

Do Journaling: Starting a daily journal will help you release your thoughts and ideas. When you practice on a daily basis, you will gain more confidence to write almost anything and everything. The art of writing can never be learned in a day. So better start today and you will start noticing the improvements.

Brush Up On Literary Devices: Literary devices such as metaphors, similes, alliterations, etc. are quite essential in creative writing. This will enrich your writing and make it more descriptive. Take up a small exercise each day wherein you look around at any random object in your house and describe it using literary devices. This will help you to take your creativity skills to a next level.

Writing is The Key: If you wish to become a good writer, then there is no alternative to writing. All it will do is sharpen your writing skills. It is not important to write a whole novel, start with anything that comes up to your mind and once you start, your creative juices, as well as your vocabulary, will elevate to the next level within a short span of time, provided you are regular with it.

And after all, this makes sure if you want to take up creative writing as a career, then you must get certified in the same to get a job. You can refer to the best creative writing courses in the world suggested in the article above.

Q2. Is freelancing a good option?

Freelancing is good for anyone who would want to take up writing as a career but it requires a good amount of time to establish as a freelancer since you will have to do it all by yourself, be it marketing your work, getting clients on board, or anything for that matter. It is always a good option since it gives you your own identity, but then you also have to work hard for it. Building a client base will largely depend on your previous work and word- of mouth. But at the end of the day, you are your own boss and can do things at your own pace without any interference. So you can surely opt for freelancing but try to get some first-hand experience by doing a job and after gaining some insights and techniques to the industry, you can start to freelance. The best creative writing courses in the world will assist you with this.

Q3. Which companies hire content writers?

In today’s digital phase, every company and brand is going online and creating its own identity to gain as many audiences as possible. And this can only be done when they’ll have good writers who can get into the minds of their audience and attract them. Therefore, all companies, big or small, are hiring content writers to write for their social media channels and websites. Be sure that there will never be a lack of opportunities as a content writer. It totally depends on your interest and understanding of the field.

Conclusion:

After reading the article, you must have got an idea of the fundamentals of creative writing and also an insight into the best creative writing courses in the world and how you can go about it. For all those who are looking forward to indulging in creative writing, it is essential to engage yourself in reading as this will always help you improve your writing craft and further try to write and put your thoughts into words using good vocabulary. This will not only help you work on your shortcomings but will also help you identify your points of strength. You can always try to workshop your work and get feedback that will assist you to get better at writing.

The best creative writing courses in the world can help you learn the basics and techniques of writing, but you are the one who has to write and for that, you need to get going from today itself! Even though the digital era today has replaced the traditional forms of writing, there is still a lot you can explore as a writer on the internet and there will always be readers out there who will demand more of great content to read. Above all, the digital world has made everything readily available to us which has made it much easier for writers to produce and publish content on the web and help readers read it anytime, anywhere. So, pick up your ideal training from the best creative writing courses in the world listed above.