Creative Writing Course

What is Creative Writing?

Writing has many different purposes. Some writing informs, such as technical or academic. Some writing reports, like journalism. Some writing, however, exists to tell a story or express an idea that falls outside of the rules-based academic or technical world. Creative writing involves any writing stretches the boundaries of journalism or technical writing, inhabiting a world where the story is precious. Creative writing has many forms. Literature and poetry are the most well-known, but writing that expands narrative traditions and develops through characters could also be considered creative. The definition of creative writing is loose and can encompass a broad range of things.

Learn Creative Writing

The act of creative writing has many different benefits. It could help with mental health and overall well-being. It can teach empathy. Creative writers are often innovative individuals because of their ability to make connections where others wouldn't. If nothing else, proficiency in creative writing can help build your communication skills. Creative writers have an excellent command of English and can translate that into a variety of disciplines. Learning the basics of creative writing gives you skills you can use in other fields and could help release stress and aid in your overall well-being.

Take Creative Writing Courses Online and Earn Certification

edX has quite a few creative writing classes that can unlock your creativity and improve your writing technique. The University of British Columbia has a series of fiction writing courses designed to help you with novel writing and even your first novel. It covers everything from outlining and character creation to the first draft and beyond, giving you a full range of knowledge to build your novel and see it through. Other options include explorations into English literature, a prerequisite for many BFA and MFA programs. You can also study things like American poetry or long-form journalism to round out your knowledge.

Why Creative Writing is Important

We focus a lot on building a career, but studying creative writing can help you with a range of other fields. Character development, writing prompts, and other practices help you think in new ways. Creative non-fiction can help you focus on and build communication skills. Even the short story can teach you how to make an excellent point. Outside of these skills, creativity is a critical part of the human experience. Writing skills help you communicate and are a part of liberal arts, which offer the chance to see the world in a new light. Take creative writing courses online with edX and expand your horizons with a creative discipline.