What Do You Learn in a Creative Writing Course?

​As well as improving your writing and mastering new techniques, you will learn in a creative writing course your writing strengths and weaknesses, how to handle critiques and apply feedback on your work, learn from an experienced teacher, and discover which creative writing path is right for you.

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​Many who start a creative writing course recommend it to others if you can find one that fits into your schedule, is affordable for your budget and, of course, matches the learning outcomes you’d like to achieve upon completion.
 
Why not check out these FREE Creative Writing Courses to get you started?
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​Once you have learned the fundamental aspects of writing through free online courses, why not try more in-depth and specialized paid for courses via MasterClass, CreativeLive, Udemy, Skillshare, or via the online writing courses detailed on this site.
 
If you enroll on to an online writing course (this article focuses on online courses rather than attending a physical class) you will save time commuting to a writing class at a college, university, or other learning establishment.
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Also, the courses which are self-paced can be fitted into your schedule easily while working, having family commitments, etc.
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Easy reading is damn hard writing. – Nathaniel Hawthorne

​​Applying the written word in a way that engages readers to inform or entertain is a beneficial and an important skill that can be used in many aspects of life.

While an online writing course can help sharpen and perfect your prose, grammar, and the craft of writing in general, by studying a specialized writing area, or different aspects of writing, or improving your writing style, you can also enhance your career prospects, turn your hobby into paid work and improve your communication skills overall.
 
Many who have undertaken a writing course found that it helped them along the way to become a professional writer.

​Or it proved to be invaluable in assisting them to realise their dream of becoming a writer with a self-published or traditionally published book. This then turns into a second book, and then a third…

​As a freelance book editor, I have worked with many self-published authors who have been hit with the writing bug once their first book is published and they have received five-star reviews!

When deciding which creative writing course to buy or book your place on, ask yourself what you want to learn, what you want to improve, and what your end writing goal is, and then look for one that is specific to those needs, then you won’t get bewildered or confused with the plethora of options available.

If you’re a new writer or you just want to familiarize with the basics before plunging in to a writing a book, a screenplay, short stories, or a children’s book, for example, try an online grammar course, or an online creative writing course for beginners.
 
There are many creative writing courses catering for many types of creative and non-creative writing, and they can come in many formats, such as self-paced online learning, live classes at set times, and interactive workshops. So, what to expect in a creative writing class, what do you learn in a creative writing course, and the benefits of studying creative writing?

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What to Expect in a Creative Writing Class

1. Learn grammar and punctuation

Creative writing courses can help to improve your grammar and punctuation, which, in turn, enhances your understanding of the English language and therefore your writing in general.

An online writing course can teach you about how words are used in sentences, sentence and paragraph structure in writing, the correct use of punctuation, and clearly communicating to your readers.

​A new writer or a writer with experience can always learn new techniques to improve the structure and reader’s comprehension of their work to develop their writing skills. 
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2. Extend your vocabulary

​A writing class can help to improve your vocabulary, so you develop good habits in your writing to improve the flow, sentence structure, not duplicating words and writing concisely.

​You can learn to use synonyms, antonyms, the roots of words, and removing padding and filler when writing either fiction or nonfiction. 
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3. Problem-solving abilities

An online creative writing course lets you focus and explore your problem-solving abilities.

All students learn to think creatively in a given structure provided in many online writing courses.

​Students will be able to develop creative-thinking skills by working on different writing projects and trying various writing styles. 
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4. Develop ideas

Whether you want to write a novel, a short story or you’d like help to combat writer’s block, many creative writing courses will help you to find inspiration, brainstorm ideas to flesh out the outline of your story, show how to master techniques to kick start your creativity, and provide tips for organizing ideas to structure your book, plan your plot, story arc, and development of characters, for example.
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5. Increase your observation of the world

​How do you take the everyday or mundane and use this in your story, poetry, or script and turn it into an engaging and believable page-turner?

​Whether you like people watching or you want to know what makes people tick, on many writing courses, especially those aimed at fiction or book writing, you will learn to improve and apply your observation skills and turn the ordinary into a story worth reading.
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6. Instructor and peer assessment

​Creative writing classes offer a unique opportunity where professional authors and tutors via established e-learning providers will assess your work.

​A lot can be learned from these assessments, and by undertaking a writing course, students can develop and create their own unique writing style.
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7. Improve creative writing skills

Of course, whichever course you choose, you will learn more about your writing style, receive advice on mastering the craft of storytelling, how to self-edit, and some offer information on aspects of publishing your work and how to market it, amongst many other areas that are applicable to the type of course you've chosen. 

Some courses will help you to write a book from the beginning to the end and give tips on getting it published. There are courses specifically for combatting writer’s block. Other courses will help you with techniques and practical ways to write with impact so your readers keep reading.
 
And there are writing courses that specialize in a particular area of interest, whether that be writing a fiction book, writing for children, mastering the art of short story telling or writing for film and TV. The possibilities are endless.
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What Do You Learn in a Creative Writing Course?

1. Ascertain your writing goals

You can learn in a creative writing course whether you want to pursue writing as profession, a hobby or to improve your career prospects.

​If you enjoy writing and want to actually become a writer, there’s no one correct way to get there, so taking a writing course can ease your path to making that choice.
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2. Discover your writing strengths and weaknesses

Whether it’s through the application of carrying out assessments or exercises on the course, or receiving feedback from an instructor/other students, you will find out what comes naturally in your writing and which aspects to work on so you can improve your writing skills.

​There are always areas to improve whether you’re a beginner or a writer with experience.
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3. Learn from interacting with other writers

Be inspired by others’ stories, their writing style and creativity when chatting on forums, receiving and giving critiques, sharing ideas, or classroom discussion on Zoom courses, for example.

​If you find that writing is a lonely experience, this may be of great benefit to meet other likeminded writers whom you can bounce ideas off or you can create writing support groups with other writers.

​As well as learning from the course instructor or tutor, absorb all you can from those with the same passion for writing as you.
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4. Improve your writing skills

If you want to learn the basics of writing well, write a book from scratch or learn a particular form of writing such as script writing, one of the main reasons to start a writing course is to become a ‘writer’, learn new techniques and improve your writing ability.

With practice, learning and interacting with other writers, you will develop your writing ability and your confidence.

Googling for writing tips and advice can only go so far, so a creative writing course will offer specialized and exclusive learning material  whatever your chosen writing area.
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5. Form good writing habits

A course may help to provide structure and discipline when mastering the craft of writing.

If you have a set deadline to carry out an exercise or you’re working towards an assessment, you will put in the time and effort to make sure it’s completed.

Even on a self-paced course, it will be of no benefit if you don’t carry out the work required to progress through the modules, lessons or assessments.

​Setting aside the time to write on a regular basis is an essential writing habit so you don’t delay doing the work or get distracted by other things.
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6. Learn from an expert

Most of the courses listed on this site, for example, are led by published authors, established e-learning providers or professional tutors who specialize in writing.

They will have experience of either writing themselves or teaching the subject.

​With their experience you can access invaluable tips, insights, feedback on your writing, and techniques and tools that you can utilize in your writing to take it to the next level. 
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​Benefits of Studying Creative Writing 

1. Improve understanding of English language

Once you start a creative writing course, you’ll improve your understanding of the English language, which will help to improve the structure, flow, grammar and vocabulary in your writing. This, in turn, helps you to write like a pro and enhances reader engagement.

With practice and the regular routine of writing, you’ll soon expand your skills and become more at ease when writing both creatively and professionally.

If your writing is full of errors, grammar mistakes, it doesn’t flow well, or is not succinct, it will come across as amateur or flat.

​If you know what you’re talking about and your writing is presented well, you’re more likely to be considered a great writer and have readers wanting more.
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2. Communication skills

Many creative writing courses aim to increase how you communicate effectively.

Once you have learned how to improve your creative writing skills, you will also improve how you convey what you want to say or the story you want to tell.

When you can communicate well, you can debate and clarify much easier, which can only be of benefit in various general life situations that may arise as well as being a writer that captivates its audience.
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3. Engage readers

With improved and more creative English writing skills, a writer can educate, inform and/or entertain the reader.

​Studying creative writing will enhance your ability to write succinctly, with impact, and take your readers on a journey with your writing. 
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4. Self-confidence

When you’re writing about what you’re interested in, what you know about, what your passion is, you’re using your unique voice to ‘speak’ to readers; therefore, you will become more confident when you realise that you don’t need to compare yourself to other writers. What you want to write is exclusive to you.

​Also, learning tips to assertively refine and enhance your manuscript and how to improve the narrative structure of your storytelling, for example, will make you feel empowered and more in control of your writing.

​Confidence helps you to keep focused, it helps to maintain motivation, and enables you to let go of expectations.
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5. Self-expression

An online writing course allows you to find your inner voice with regards to thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc. when creating a story or developing characters.

​So, as well as becoming more confident about your own writing style and English communication skills in general, you will be able to explore your own viewpoints, what drives your passion, and enable you to show who you are and your personality in your writing.
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6. Career prospects

You can improve your grammar skills, vocabulary, learn how to express yourself, and develop your creativity. You will be able to take on board constructive criticism, learn how to evaluate the written word of others, and give feedback yourself.

You will discover how to organize ideas and thoughts so they flow logically, learn how to write with impact, and persuade or motivate others – how to get your message across. Also, you will experience interacting with others who share the same interest to improve your writing skills and become a better writer. 

Whatever you do for work or wherever you would like your career to progress, there are many skills learnt on writing courses that are transferable to many professional work situations.

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Conclusion

So, why not start a creative writing course to see where it can take you? Develop your own unique writing style, get those creative juices flowing, master the art of storytelling, learn the basics of writing well, and learn how to write fiction effectively – the possibilities are endless!

Understanding the practice of writing in any discipline can not only turn your hobby into a career, but it can  improve your communication skills in other areas of life where you need to write to convey a message.
 
Top Creative Writing Courses recommends many courses covering a wide range of writing areas, from beginners to writers with some experience. Check out free writing courses and online writing courses or screenwriting courses and information to help you decide where your writing journey will take you.

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