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​Discover Free Creative Writing Courses, Learning For All Levels Of Writers, Self-Paced Writing Classes, And Online Writing Courses Taught By Published Authors.​

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30+ Best Free Online Creative Writing Courses

10/28/2020

 
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​Are you looking for free online creative writing courses and free creative writing classes to take your writing skills to the next level, to enhance and polish your writing to pen the next bestseller, or to improve your career prospects? This list of best free creative writing courses may help you.

Whether you want to find online creative writing courses or start to learn creative writing with free writing courses online, check out What Do You Learn in a Creative Writing Course to find out what to expect in a creative writing class, what you will learn by undertaking creative writing courses and the benefits of studying creative writing.
 
Find the best free online writing courses for creative writers fiction and nonfiction from these 30+ best free online creative writing courses and free creative writing classes.
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Grammarly Writing Support
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​Find free online writing courses for writing fiction or nonfiction.

​Here featured are some of the best free creative writing courses, classes and workshops for new writers as well as those with experience who are looking to create impactful and engaging prose, learn pace and flow, master point of view, improve descriptive writing, how to show and not tell, and much more.
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1. Endless Story Ideas – Creative Writing Now

This free online writing course from Creative Writing Now helps writers utilize methods to "generate story ideas whenever you need them", which can then be developed for future projects.
 
A student review for Creative Writing Now online classes:
 
"I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the lessons and feel they were very helpful in introducing new ideas and perspectives to my writing. I am sure I will go back frequently to review them for reference during many of my future writing projects. Thanks again!"
 
  • You can also access their Story Starters and Where to Find Creative Writing Ideas sections to find creative writing ideas for an abundance of inspiration
  • There is free participation for their Creative Writing Contests and Free Poetry Contest where you have the chance to be published on their website and you could win Amazon or cash prizes.
  • The course is via email where students are sent one lesson each week over three weeks.
  • Website: Endless Story Ideas

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2. Start Writing Fiction – The Open University

A free online creative writing course from The Open University via FutureLearn, students will "discover the rituals and approaches that successful fiction writers use".

The topics covered in this free writing course include creating fiction characters and generating stories from them; writing practice – creativity, research, observation and editing; the importance of exchanging work; and more. This course is ideal for beginner writers and/or authors wanting to improve their writing of fiction.
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  • This course is for a duration 8 weeks, with 3 hours study each week.
  • Enrollment dates are listed, so you can join at a future date if you can't start straight away.
  • This is a free course via FutureLearn with extra benefits available for a nominal fee.
  • Website: Start Writing Fiction

3. Secret Sauce of Great Writing - Udemy

This free writing tutorial teaches you "how to make your blogs, books and business writing sparkle". Great for beginner writers, this online creative writing course is the same quality as their paid courses, but without the certification or access to instructors.

Former Wall Street Journal editor Shani Raja teaches the four key elements of good writing: clarity, simplicity, evocativeness and elegance. If you want to write fiction or nonfiction, this course will help your writing to stand out among your peers.
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  • Considered one of the best online creative writing courses, the content of this course is free. A paid version of this course is required to receive a completion certificate and instructor Q&A.
  • The course comprises 2 sections, 15 lectures, which is a total of 44 minutes.
  • Website: Secret Sauce of Great Writing

More free beginner online writing courses from Udemy include:
  • On Writing – The 20 Minute Jumpstart for Novices and Writer-Blocked Writers
  • Starting to Write – Be a more creative you. Take small steps and start writing today

4. Creative Writing Course – Free Training Tutorial

From Free Training Tutorial, this free creative writing course covers the purpose of creative writing, how to create a character, how to create a setting, the theme of a story, and point of view writing.

This online creative writing course aims to "help you find that inner writer". All the course content is available on the website with no registration required.
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  • Website: Creative Writing Course

5. Free Online Screenwriting Course – Alison.com

"Master the essentials of scriptwriting to see your ideas on the screen with this free online screenwriting course."

Via publisher One Education, this free online screenwriting course teaches you the fundamentals of scriptwriting and explores various genres and formats.

Students are shown how to carry out research, develop a script and turn your vision into a screenplay.

The course demonstrates how to develop compelling characters, polish your script and create a pitch that sells your idea. You are also taken through the common do’s and don’t’s of writing for the big or small screen.
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  • Website: Free Online Screenwriting Course​

6. Creative Writing Course – The Crafty Writer

This is a free online creative writing course from The Crafty Writer and run by Fiona Veitch Smith, who is an author, freelance journalist, editor, playwright, screenwriter and writing teacher.

This eight-session course provides an "introduction to the basic elements of creative writing, from prose fiction to poetry".
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  • This course does not involve a free critique of your writing or feedback on the exercises.
  • If you would like Fiona's professional opinion on your writing, you can contact her via the course page for a quote.
  • Website: Creative Writing Course

7. Use Show Don't Tell to Improve Your Writing – Udemy

Check out this free writing course online on one of the most difficult aspects authors need to master: how to show, not tell.

If you want to know how to avoid "information dumping" to your reader and what "show don't tell" is, together with why and how to use it, this course could benefit you.
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  • This free online creative writing course will suit anyone writing fiction or a memoir, or anyone wanting to evoke the senses of the reader with their writing.
  • This course comprises 4 sections, 5 lectures, which is a total of 31 minutes.
  • Website: Use Show Don't Tell to Improve Your Writing

More free online creative writing courses from Udemy, for all levels of writers, include:
  • Creative Writing Sample Lesson – Video lectures and plenty of activities about setting, character and plot with best-selling novelist K.C. Finn.
  • Let’s Write a Basic Story – A step-by-step walkthrough. Write your own story.

8. An Introduction to Screenwriting – University of East Anglia

This two-week online screenwriting course by the University of East Anglia via FutureLearn covers the key aspects involved in the process of scriptwriting.

Whether you are beginner or experienced writer, this free creative writing course aims to provide the skills to write an effective screenplay and the understanding of terminology associated with this style of writing.
​
  • The study time for this course is 3 hours each week. The course is 2 weeks.
  • The University of East Anglia also offers a BA Film and Television Studies undergraduate course here.
  • This is a free course via FutureLearn, with extra benefits available for a fee.
  • Website: An Introduction to Screenwriting

9. Writing What You Know – OpenLearn

From OpenLearn via The Open University, this free online writing course is for beginner writers or authors whose creativity and writing needs a boost.

This free online creative writing course aims to hone perceptive abilities and develop the use of memory, observation and the senses via reading and writing activities. This style of writing can be utilized in fiction writing, poetry and life writing.
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  • The study time for this course is 8 hours of study and is level 1 introductory.
  • Website: Writing What You Know

10. Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy – Jeffrey A. Carver

For aspiring sci-fi and fantasy writers of all ages, this free content from science fiction writer Jeffrey A. Carver covers a plethora of topics in this genre. 

Learn getting from idea to story, world building, creating human characters, aliens and other creatures, conflict and plot, language and style, the seven deadly perils of style, research and believability, getting published, and much more.
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  • No registration is required to access this free online creative writing course on science fiction and fantasy.
  • Website: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

11. The Craft of Character – Wesleyan University ​

This free online creative writing course from Wesleyan University via Coursera is all about characterization, bringing your characters to life and how they can create more impactful and engaging stories.

This free writing course online is ideal for beginner writers and/or authors wanting to improve the forming of characters and dialogue, etc. in their fiction writing.
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  • This online writing course is over a 4-week duration, which takes approximately 6 hours to complete and comprises 17 video lessons.
  • Use the 7-day free trial to access this course for free. This applies to all Coursera courses.
  • Other courses from Wesleyan University via Coursera on creative writing include "The Craft of Setting and Description" and "The Craft of Style".
  • Website: The Craft of Character

12. 10 FREE Blogging Tools That Will Make You a Better Blogger – Udemy

This "ultimate blogging tools course" from Udemy aims to "increase your blogging and writing creativity".

The 12 lectures include finding blogging inspiration, creating effective blog headlines, recommended tools on error-free writing, and more.

So if you're a blogger, write content for websites, a small business entrepreneur or wanting to know the tips and tools for writing online content, this free online blogging writing course could benefit you.
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  • The online content for this course is free. A paid version of this course is required to receive a completion certificate and instructor Q&A.
  • The course comprises 3 sections, 12 lectures, which is a total of 31 minutes.
  • Website: 10 FREE Blogging Tools That Will Make You a Better Blogger

13. Writing Short Stories – Toby Litt

From Toby Litt, a free short story writing course. Toby is an English author who teaches creative writing at Birkbeck College, London. His published works include Wrestliana, Lilian's Spell Book, and Patience.

This 10-lesson course provides the basics of writing short stories whether you're beginner or a writer who wishes to improve their craft. If you would like to write better stories, this free short story course could benefit you.
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  • Each lesson takes approx. an hour, and all lesson are available via Toby’s website with no sign-up required.
  • Website: Starting to Write – A Free 10 Lesson Course on Writing Short Stories

​14. Writing for Young Readers – Coursera

This is an online writing course from Coursera which is a "combination of video lectures, online readings, peer reviews, and guest appearances from world-renowned children’s authors".

Once enrolled onto this course you will look at establishing effective writing habits, how to use your own experiences in your writing, experimenting writing with different viewpoints, watch many videos including interviews with children's authors, understand the variety of genres when writing for young children, and much more.
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  • Click on the “Enroll for Free” box and select the “Full Course, No Certificate” option to undertake this course for free.
  • Website: Writing for Children

15. Free Short Story Writing Course – Christopher Fielden

This free short story course “focuses on the art of the short story and flash fiction writing, with a strong emphasis on getting your work published”.

The course instructor is Christopher Fielden who is an award-winning and Amazon bestseller. He was an award-winning finalist in the Fiction: Short Story category of the International Book Awards in 2019.
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  • For both beginner and intermediate writers, this course is ideal if you want to develop your fiction writing and see your work published.
  • This is a self-paced course with unlimited access, so you can take as long as you like to complete the lessons.
  • Website: Free Short Story Writing Course

16. How to Show and Not Tell in Short Stories – Writers Write

This free writing course highlights the importance of “show, don’t tell”, which is even more essential when writing a short story due to the limited word count.

This course was created by Mia Botha, who founded the 12 Short Stories in 12 Months and the 12 Poems in 12 Months challenges. She is also the author of Write the Crap Out of It and Other Short Story Writing Advice. Since becoming a teacher, she has been guiding and sharing her knowledge for nearly 10 years.
  • There are 9 lessons, which include exercises, examples and theory, and they are self-paced and can be accessed at any time.
  • Website: How to Show and Not Tell in Short Stories

17. Write a Feature Length Screenplay for Film or Television – Coursera

This online screenplay writing course will enable writers of all genres to write a "polished and pitch-ready script".
 
Participants will learn the tools and techniques to create a screenplay in this practical, motivating and highly recommended course. No previous script-writing experience is required to enroll, so this course would suit beginners as well as professional writers.
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The video lessons cover a 20-week period and include creating the idea, creating your character profile/s, the three-act story arc, screenplay formatting and software, how to structure each act, and more.

  • There are flexible deadlines, so students can work around their schedule. 
  • Students can enroll on to this course at any time,
  • This is a free course without receiving a certificate upon completion.
  • Website: Write a Feature Length Screenplay for Film or Television​

18. ​Writing Stories and Creative Non-fiction – Pearson

A free online creative writing course from Pearson aims to "set your imagination free with advice, ideas and motivation to start writing stories and creative non-fiction".

The aim of this course is to provide ideas and tips whether you're starting or continuing to write fiction, a memoir or even poetry. The units cover releasing your imagination through discussions of characters, setting, image, voice, plot and story, before moving on to guidance on developing, reviewing and, hopefully, publishing your work. 

  • Use your journal ideas to advance your writing by considering stories as connection and disconnection, a journey or struggle. Also a look at genres, and then plot your story by utilizing various storytelling devices.
  • 6 units, which are self-paced and available to access at any time
  • For beginner writers and authors who wish to kick-start their creative writing to finish writing a book, memoir, collection of short stories, or poetry.
  • Website: Creative Writing

19. Writing Science Fiction – National Centre for Writing

This free science fiction creative writing course is aimed at anyone looking to write in the sci-fi genre, you will find this course full of advice and information on world building and verisimilitude!

The instructor for this course is Ian Nettleton, author of the science fiction anthology Angles, and the novel The Last Migration. With a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of East Anglia, he teaches creative writing at the Open University (undergraduate and MA) and the University of East Anglia.
​
  • 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

If you want to dive into an in-depth learning program on poetry writing, this is a comprehensive online poetry course from the California Institute of Arts via Coursera which serves that purpose.

​This online poetry writing course provides the ultimate knowledgebase for poets that can be helpful in producing literary gems.

  • 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

If you want to write a book but you’re not sure where to begin, or you’ve made a start but need some guidance to keep going or to complete it, this free online writing course from Reedsy could help you.

The instructor for this course is Jennie Nash who is the author of three memoirs and four novels. She is also a private book coach whose clients regularly receive national self-publishing awards, are signed up with top New York agents, and have book deals with publishing houses such as Simon & Schuster, and Random House.
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  • 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

For more FREE creative writing courses from Reedsy, check out the following:
  • 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

​Click here for a full list of free courses from Reedsy.​

22. Writing Your First Novel – Coursera

Do you aspire to become a novelist? If so, this writing course from the University of Michigan via Coursera could be a great opportunity for you.

Even if you are a novice with no idea of how to get started writing a novel, this course program covers all aspects to help you to start from scratch.

  • 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

If you are passionate about writing fiction pieces for a younger audience, this course from the Commonwealth Education Trust is for you to excel further in your preferred genre. For those who possess creative inspiration for this particular target market, this course can help to write specifically for children and teenagers.

As well as becoming acquainted with various cultures, you will learn to deal with the technical elements of story writing such as creating characters, structuring the plot for a great story, creating dialogue, and much more.
​
  • Duration: 18 hours
  • Certificate: Available (payment required)
  • 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

Do you want to master the art of putting your thoughts into beautiful rhymes? If the answer is yes, this course from the University of Reading via FutureLearn could benefit you.

It is an elementary course program for new writers wanting to master the art of writing poetry and verse. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to create beautiful poems worthy of publication.
​
  • 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

This is another free online creative writing course from the University of Cambridge via edX. Here you can "prepare to perform your comic writing and/or poetry to a live audience, as well as develop transferable writing skills and communication expertise that will be relevant in any profession". 

This is an intermediate, instructor-led course where students will discover the specialized aspects in writing for stand-up comedy and performance poetry, the key performance components required for this writing discipline, script-editing skills, and much more.
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  • 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

If you have the urge to write big and bold narratives such as Star Wars, Marvel films, and similar, the skills in transmedia storytelling can help you achieve such goals.

This course from UNSW Sydney via Coursera will help you to nurture your talent in the sphere of creating multidisciplinary narratives for films, books, games, and so on.

You will learn everything about the transmedia audience, how to craft your ideas into well-structured and exciting narratives, how to create complex worlds, the essentials of absorbing storytelling, the use of VR and AR technologies, and you will also interact with the instructors.

  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Certificate available (payment required)
  • Website: Transmedia Storytelling

27. Supercharge Your Productivity – National Centre for Writing

This free online course from the National Centre for Writing is full of information and advice to help you examine your writing habits (the good and the bad!) and identify how you can supercharge your productivity.

If you've always wanted to write but don’t know how to start or you’d like to stop getting distracted and never finishing projects, this course could help you.

  • 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: Supercharge Your Creativity

28. Finding Your Voice as a Playwright – edX

On this free online creative writing course from the University of Cambridge via edX, students "will be looking in depth at how to find your own distinctive dramatic voice as you develop as a playwright". 

On this instructor-led course, you will learn the forms and traditions when writing for performance, understand the market demands of entertainment industries, discover the essential performance components within this discipline, script-editing skills, how to create effective structure within scenes, and much more.
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  • 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: Finding Your Voice as a Playwright

More FREE screenwriting courses via edX include:
  • Writing Successfully for the Stage
  • Building Your Screenplay

29. ​Storytelling for Social Change – FutureLearn

A free online creative writing course from The University of Michigan via FutureLearn where students will "discover how crafting an engaging story can deliver a message that inspires audiences and effects real change".
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The tutor for this course is Anita Gonzalez (Ph.D.), who is a Professor of Theatre and Associate Dean at the University of Michigan. Anita promotes engaged learning, internationalism in the arts, and interdisciplinary research.

The topics covered in this free writing course include harnessing the power of storytelling and improving your communication skills, learning how storytelling can communicate powerful ideas, and utilizing the power of visual storytelling. If you would like to learn the top tips and advice for writing an impactful story, this course could benefit you.
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  • 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.

Website: Storytelling for Social Change

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

On this FREE writing for children course from OpenLearn via The Open University you will understand how images communicate to children readers, how pictures and words can either reinforce or contradict each other, what it means to create books for the specific audience of children, and more.

On this online writing course "you will learn how children’s fiction, ranging from classics such as Beatrix Potter to contemporary authors like Anthony Browne, combines images and text in remarkably sophisticated ways to communicate with young and old".

  • 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
 
Website: Exploring Books for Children: Words and Pictures

Conclusion
​Learning from a professional course will advance your writing further, so taking advantage of a free writing course will enhance your motivation and confidence as well as improving your writing style and storytelling ability.
 
Also, there are additional benefits such as connecting with other writers and discussing ideas or asking for feedback and advice.

While you keep writing, learning, and developing, you’ll soon see how much a difference practice and utilizing the information from a writing course can make.

Good luck on your next step on your writing journey!


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