- Online
- $695
From short stories to full-length novels, fiction writing uses core principles to create believable, immersive stories that will capture a reader’s attention.
In this course, discover three foundational elements of fiction to help you write engaging, imaginative stories. Learn to invent compelling characters, design a structured, intriguing plot and create a setting that will enhance the story you are writing. Discover strategies for finding creative inspiration, techniques for overcoming writing blocks, the dos and don’ts of editing and revising, and tested methods for expanding your creative ideas and setting future writing goals.
This course is designed for anyone who is interested in writing fiction or improving their creative writing skills. It is particularly helpful for those who are new to creative writing and who are interested in learning practical, applied techniques in a community of emerging writers.
Whether you are considering writing fiction for the first time, returning to a writing practice later in life or looking to take your creative writing practice from a hobby to a more serious pursuit, this course will help you develop your foundational skills in a supportive community.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Develop independent strategies for finding inspiration and persevering through creative blocks
- Create compelling, motivated fictional characters
- Develop a plot from character conflict and link scenes in logical, purposeful arcs
- Invent a fictional setting that supports the other elements of the piece
- Utilize revision strategies to improve prose and story structure
- Develop short and long-term goals for fiction writing and future projects
Course activities will include weekly learning modules, short readings, creative writing exercises, online discussions and two assignments submitted to the instructor. There will be an optional one-hour Zoom session each week with the instructor, where students can discuss weekly learning, ask questions and participate in an optional group writing exercise.
Course outline
Each week combines readings, a short, recorded lecture from your instructor, writing exercises and discussion forums where you share work and respond to your classmates.
Week 1: Creative Inspiration and Common Frustrations
Week 2: Creating Compelling Characters
Week 3: Plot (Structure and Conflict)
Week 4: Setting (Time and Place)
Week 5: Revision
Week 6: Going Further
How am I assessed?
This course is marked complete/incomplete, and the assessment is based on your attendance and participation. Your instructor provides you personalized feedback on the assignments you submit.
Record of completion
Students who have successfully completed a course can access completion documents two weeks after the course ends. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Expected effort
Expect to spend three to four hours per week completing coursework, participating in the online forum, and attending the optional group video chat.
Technology requirements
To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:
- an email account
- a computer or laptop using Windows or macOS or a tablet
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection.
For virtual office hours, you’ll also need:
- a video camera and microphone.
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online and instructor supported with weekly optional Zoom sessions on Tuesdays from 6pm-7pm Pacific Time. Course work is done independently and at your own pace within deadlines set by your instructor. Log in anytime to your course to access the lessons as they become available.