Online Class: Creative Writing Workshop

Uncover the enchantment of creative writing where words craft images and emotions, transporting readers into the depths of imagination. Embrace the beauty and complexity of different writing forms, from poetry to screenwriting, while enhancing your skills through immersive techniques and creative prompts.

Self-Paced, Online Class
Library Subscription
 
  • 13
    Lessons
  • 29
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 14
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.4
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Have you ever read a novel that transported you to a different world, or a poem whose melody refused to leave your mind? Perhaps you've been mesmerized by the emotional depth of a movie scene and felt the whisper of inspiration suggesting that you, too, could create such magic with words. If you've caught yourself daydreaming about crafting stories that linger and poems that echo in the hearts of your readers, then you are about to embark on an extraordinary journey.

Imagine writing as the art of painting with words. While a painter uses brushes to bring color to a canvas, a writer uses their pen--or perhaps a keyboard--to weave stories that ignite the imagination. Words, when woven together with creativity and insight, possess an unparalleled power to connect us, to inspire change, and to capture the essence of humanity through the ages.

As you stand at the threshold of this creative writing workshop, consider this not just a class, but a transformative journey. This course offers more than techniques and instruction--it provides a sanctuary for exploration, a canvas where your thoughts and dreams can take form. Whether you are taking your first steps or honing a seasoned craft, you will find that the path of creative writing is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Creative writing is a vast and wondrous realm, encompassing genres from fiction to poetry, drama to screenwriting. Each genre is a universe unto itself, offering unique landscapes for you to explore. Fiction invites you to build worlds from your imagination, where characters live, breathe, and adventure at your command. Poetry asks you to dance with language, capturing emotions and moments with precision and grace. Drama and screenwriting challenge you to envision stories on stage and screen, bringing life to dialogue and action that captivates audiences.

Our course is not just an academic pursuit; it's an invitation to delve into the heart of storytelling. Imagine engaging with the very essence of creativity, where words serve as both tools and companions. Through expertly crafted exercises, you will unlock the writer within, allowing your voice to emerge in its truest form. You will learn to navigate the writing process as both artist and artisan, crafting narrative and structure with intent and clarity.

As we embark on this journey together, you will discover the profound satisfaction of expressing your innermost thoughts and experiences. Our course invites you to draw inspiration from your own life and observations, infusing your work with authenticity and emotion. You will connect with fellow writers, sharing insights and encouragement as your community grows. Together, we will celebrate each milestone, each breakthrough, and the beautiful evolution of your writing.

This course is more than an online offering; it is an adventure destined to enrich your life and broaden your perspective. Through our time together, you will forge skills that not only enhance your writing but elevate your ability to communicate and connect with the world. The intricate dance of words will become your ally, offering clarity to your thoughts and strength to your expression.

Embark on this creative journey, where tales await your touch and poems whisper to be penned. Allow us to guide you in exploring the depths of your imagination and the expanse of your potential. Together, we will awaken the wordsmith within, each page an open door to invention and wonder.

Join us in this creative writing workshop, where every word is a step into your unwritten legacy. The ink is waiting to meet paper; the stories inside you are eager to unfold. Seize this opportunity to illuminate your path with the enduring craft of writing. This is your moment; let the words flow.

 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.5 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(5,163 votes)

Lesson 1. The Tools of Creativity: Choosing Your Medium and Voice

Experimenting with various writing techniques expands your creative repertoire, much like a painter exploring different strokes. By venturing beyond your usual style and drawing from personal experiences, you add authenticity to your narratives and enrich your ability to convey complex ideas. 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Assignment 1: Starting Small
  • Assessment: Lesson 1: Small Steps
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Embracing the Writing Journey

Cultivating creativity requires understanding fear's role and fostering an environment of acceptance and freedom. With the aid of routine, community, and experimentation, aspiring writers can navigate and overcome creative blocks. 24 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 2: Getting Out of Your Own Way
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Creativity through Journaling and Observational Wonders

Through the practice of honing a writer's ear, storytellers learn to decode the subtleties of human interaction and emotion, enriching narrative authenticity. Observing life's nuances forms a bridge to deeper empathy and nuanced character portrayal. 38 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 3: Freewriting
  • Assessment: Lesson 3: Diving In
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Sensory Storytelling: Engaging Readers Beyond Words

A writer’s vocabulary functions like an artist's palette, offering precision and richness to their narrative, which is honed through continual expansion aided by dictionaries. Strategic word choice, rather than complexity, ensures that every sentence resonates deeply and evokes sensory experiences for the reader. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4: Gear

Lesson 5. Mastering Metaphors: Transporting Readers Through Imagery

The principle of 'show, don't tell' elevates storytelling by crafting immersive narratives, allowing readers to live the story through vivid imagery and sensory detail. This method transforms simple accounts into rich, participatory experiences, bridging the gap between reader and character. 46 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 5: Show Don't Tell
  • Assessment: Lesson 5: Words on a Page
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Harnessing the Wisdom of the Greats: A Guide to Creative Writing

Emulating styles from admired authors challenges aspiring writers to explore structural and thematic elements, leading to innovation and voice development. Seeking feedback and participating in writing communities enhances this process, providing varied perspectives and constructive critique. 15 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Tapping into Childhood Memories for Creative Inspiration

Vulnerability in writing fosters genuine connections, transforming personal struggle into shared experience for readers. With authenticity, your narratives resonate deeply, inviting readers to engage openly with honesty and sincerity, akin to trusted friends. 18 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 7: Finding your Voice
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Similes and Metaphors: Crafting Emotion and Imagery

Figurative language in poetry creates powerful images and emotions through similes, metaphors, and personification, likening disparate elements to reveal hidden resonances. Poetic devices, such as hyperbole, enrich expression, crafting distinct, evocative experiences that resonate emotionally with readers. 47 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 8: Using Metaphors
  • Assessment: Lesson 8: Poetic Devices
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. From Sonnet to Haiku: A Journey Through Timeless Poetic Forms

Haikus distill fleeting moments of nature into a minimalist 5-7-5 format, evoking sensory depth and surprise via kigo and kireji. Concisely capturing themes like cherry blossoms or dawn's silence, they focus more on the spirit of the experience than rigid syllabic adherence. 19 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Settings Matter: Painting Worlds with Words

Settings create vivid worlds for characters to inhabit, enhancing the narrative through sensory details that ground the reader's experience. They can be physical, such as a bustling city, or emotional, capturing internal struggles—each contributing to the story's thematic depth. 15 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. Unveiling the Layers of a Novel: Comprehensive Guide

The creative process of novel writing spans from idea generation and research to character development and meticulous editing, forming a polished, engrossing narrative. Writers must remain resilient during creative lulls, finding motivation from community support and celebrating milestones to maintain inspiration. 50 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 11: Creating Characters
  • Assessment: Lesson 11: The Long Haul: Writing a Novel
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Words in Action: Collaborative Storytelling through Drama

Playwriting and screenwriting open unique narrative avenues, connecting audiences through the rich traditions of theater and the modern allure of film. These distinct yet complementary art forms challenge creators to master conflict, character, and dialogue to craft stories that resonate deeply. 43 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Complete: Assignment 12: Dialog Creation
  • Assessment: Lesson 12: Upstage, Downstage: Writing Drama
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Creative Writing: Embracing the Journey Over the Destination

Stepping back post-drafting allows for fresh perspectives, akin to Stephen King’s rest period approach, which fosters objective critique upon revisiting. This detachment is crucial, nurturing genuine reflection and the ultimate refinement of story potential. 174 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Your Opinion Matters: Course Rating; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: The Final Creative Writing Assignment
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Review Exam
533
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Commit to a daily writing habit by dedicating a consistent time each day to free-writing exercises, filling two sides of a notebook page with original content.
  • Identify the tools and methods they prefer for their creative writing practice, such as choosing between longhand writing or typing.
  • Define and articulate personal fears related to the creative writing process and describe methods to overcome them.
  • Demonstrate the ability to create a routine or setting that encourages free expression and mitigates self-doubt in writing.
  • Define and apply the practice of freewriting to enhance creativity by engaging in spontaneous writing sessions at least three times a week, producing a minimum of 500 words each time.
  • Identify and document at least five potential story elements or creative ideas from journaling exercises by the end of the course, utilizing these observations for future writing projects.
  • Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate writing tools and environments that enhance creativity, focus, and productivity in personal writing practice.
  • Describe how sensory details can be effectively incorporated into writing to create vivid and immersive narratives for readers.
  • Demonstrate the ability to craft vivid imagery by employing the 'show, don't tell' technique in a creative writing piece.
  • Identify and incorporate specific details and metaphors effectively to enhance narrative depth and engage the reader's imagination.
  • Define authors whose writing style enriches your narrative approach by exploring diverse genres and engaging with their works.
  • Demonstrate imitation of selected authors' writing techniques through structured exercises to uncover unique stylistic elements in your own writing.
  • Define and articulate your unique voice in writing by reflecting on personal experiences and values, ensuring authenticity and originality in your creative work.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Creative Writing Workshop
Course Number: 9770551
Lessons Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (5,163 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: You can take this course online in every U.S. state including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. International availability includes English-speaking countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa.
Last Updated: May 2024
CEU Value: 1.4 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Dana Kristan
Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

  • "The course was very useful because in having to submit assignments, I had to sit down and write. It also reminded me that the first draft is exactly that and the important thing is to get it down, warts and all, and then I have some clay to work with. Thank you." -- Hester C.
  • "I loved the course. I learned much about the writing process as well as much about myself. Thank you!" -- Arlene R.
  • "She was prompt in sending my classroom work. She was attentive and complimented me on my good work when I did well." -- Svetlana D.
  • "I have completed other courses but enjoyed and learnt more. It was easy format and content was great. Process was excellent. Fast marking from teacher. Flexible to do anytime. The instructor was encouraging. Recommended to others." -- Liz S.
  • "The course was extremely well structured and well explained. My instructor was extremely nice, readily available and able to explain any corrections. I would like to have her again." -- Grace O.
  • "I loved doing the class. I loved getting emails with results and feedback from my instructor." -- Catherine W.
  • "This was a fun experience that helped me learn more about my writing." -- Emilie H.
  • "I loved it! And the instructor was really nice and marked my stuff pretty quickly. I appreciate it!" -- Sarah M.
  • "Everything was great." -- Melissa D.
  • "Excellent course and excellent teacher." -- Lori B.
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