Free Online Creative Writing Courses and
Certifications 2025
Creative writing is a valuable and rewarding skill that can help individuals express themselves in a unique and creative way. Online courses in creative writing offer learners an opportunity to develop their writing skills and explore various forms of writing, such as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. These courses cover topics such as character development, plot, and style, as well as editing and publishing. By studying creative writing, learners can enhance their writing abilities, develop their creative voice, and gain valuable skills that can be used in a wide range of professions. It is a valuable addition to any humanities-based curriculum.
Popular Courses
This course, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, is designed to help strengthen writing skills. It is a project-based course that provides students with the tools to develop their own ideas and stories. Through this course, students will learn how to generate ideas, understand the essentials of a great story, and gain insight from renowned author Preeti Shenoy. This course is perfect for those who want to take their writing to the next level.
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In this 45-minute class, author Emily Gould teaches how to use mistakes to power personal essays. She shares her favorite writing prompt and explores 3 favorite essays to provide strategies for writing. Participants will learn how to craft a personal essay that will be read and appreciated.
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Ninya Tippett, one of Wattpad's most successful writers, teaches a 20-minute class on finding and writing with a creative voice. Through this course, participants will learn how to use structure to enhance their writing and create a consistent style. With Ninya's guidance, writers will be able to find their own unique voice and create stories that stand out.
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This course provides five techniques to help generate creative writing ideas. Students will learn to use brainstorming, self-reflection and ideation to create fifty unique writing prompts. Through this class, participants will be able to explore their own life, fascinations and imagination to develop their own creative writing ideas.
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In this helpful class, author Lindsey Summers teaches the fundamentals of writing a character study. She provides tips and tricks to help writers create a compelling character, from starting with a blank slate to her favorite techniques for developing a character. With Lindsey's guidance, writers can add this essential tool to their creative writing toolkit.
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This free course, Start writing fiction, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of creative writing, including character and setting development. It is designed to help aspiring authors gain the confidence to begin their writing journey.
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This class, led by essayist Chelsea Hodson, provides an introduction to creative nonfiction writing. It offers guidance on how to start writing, such as which memories to begin with and how to make sense of stories. Participants will learn how to craft compelling narratives and develop their own writing style.
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In this half-hour class, renowned writer, editor and speaker Ashley C. Ford guides students through the process of writing from memory. She shares her own essay as an example and provides tips on how to use childhood memories, songs and other personal experiences to create a unique and creative piece of writing.
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In this course, journalist Daniel Krieger provides an in-depth look at the parts of a creative nonfiction personal narrative. He deconstructs a story he wrote for the New York Times Magazine Lives column to illustrate the process. Participants will gain insight into the craft of writing a compelling narrative.
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Kelsey Miller, an international bestselling author and journalist, guides students through the process of creating an opinion essay. This class covers topics such as finding inspiration, developing ideas, backing up opinions, and perfecting the essay. Students will learn how to craft a strong, impactful opinion essay.
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This course introduces aspiring writers to the techniques used by fiction masters to create vivid and believable settings. Through research and creative meditation exercises, writers will learn to craft stories that draw readers into the world of their imagination.
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This course provides writers with the tools to quickly craft complex characters for short fiction. It covers the creation of "character bibles" which are detailed explorations of characters' traits, beliefs and histories. Writers will gain the skills to create believable characters that will bring their stories to life.
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This course provides seven exercises to help generate ideas for a creative writing project. It covers topics such as structuring and plotting, character sketches, and writing dialogue. These exercises can help writers come up with new ideas and create a unique story.
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This course is perfect for those looking to get started with creative writing. It provides guidance on finding ideas, story structure, openings and endings, so that even beginners can write a great short story. With this course, you'll be able to craft a compelling story that will captivate your readers.
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This course provides aspiring authors with the tools to create an engaging main character. Through a series of lessons, participants will learn how to craft a compelling protagonist that will capture the reader's attention and keep them invested in the story. With the help of this course, authors can avoid the common pitfalls of novice writing and create a memorable main character.
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This 45-minute class, led by New York Times bestselling author Daniel Jose Older, provides an in-depth look at how to write a stand-out opening scene for any story. Through the use of first and last drafts of an opening scene, Older demonstrates how to craft a compelling introduction that will draw readers in. Learn the essential elements of creative writing and create an opening scene that will leave a lasting impression.
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Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q1: How can I improve my writing with free creative writing courses?
To improve your writing, take advantage of the free creative writing courses available online. Open University offers a wide range of courses, from poetry and fiction to creative non-fiction and scriptwriting. Read through the lessons on the website or download them as an eBook to work through at your own pace. With hard work, discipline and practice, you can become a better writer and hone your creative writing skills.
Q2: What are the benefits of taking a creative writing course?
Taking a creative writing course can be a great way to develop your writing skills and explore your creativity. You can learn how to craft a compelling thesis, gain a better understanding of different types of essays, and even find ways to overcome writer's block. Plus, you'll be surrounded by other writers who can provide support and encouragement as you work on your projects.
Q3: What Creative Writing courses can I find on OeClass?
On this page, we have collected free or certified 202 Creative Writing online courses from various platforms. The list currently only displays up to 50 items. If you have other needs, please contact us.
