We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Amy Bloom, Amity Gaige, Salvatore Scibona, and Brando Skyhorse

This Specialization covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. You will master the techniques that good writers use to compose a bracing story, populated with memorable characters in an interesting setting, written in a fresh descriptive style. You will analyze and constructively evaluate peer writing. In the Capstone, you will draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story in the genre of your choosing.

Read more

This Specialization covers elements of three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. You will master the techniques that good writers use to compose a bracing story, populated with memorable characters in an interesting setting, written in a fresh descriptive style. You will analyze and constructively evaluate peer writing. In the Capstone, you will draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story in the genre of your choosing.

Our courses are designed for anyone from the aspiring short story writer to established novelist. Whether you have a finished novel sitting on your desk calling for a fresh look or have had the germ of an idea for a decade, this Specialization gives you tools to achieve your goal. Through 4 courses focused on a key aspect of writing, and taken in any order you choose, you will develop a stronger ability to not only refine your writing, but critique writing in general and find inspiration in the works you are already reading.

Thanks to our sponsors, upon completion of their first assignment, learners in each course will receive up to an 80% discount from Write-Bros and a 30% discount off their first purchase from Scrivener to use on their writing software. Additionally, learners who complete an assignment will receive 30% off membership at the online writing community Scribophile. For more information about our partners, see the FAQ below.

Enroll now

Share

Help others find Specialization from Coursera by sharing it with your friends and followers:

What's inside

Five courses

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

(0 hours)
In this course, aspiring writers will learn about plot, the most challenging element of story. We will examine how plot keeps a story moving, manipulates our feelings, and keeps us engaged. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing, and reversals, and connect the beginning, middle, and end.

Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

(0 hours)
At the heart of any captivating story are its characters. This course empowers aspiring writers to craft complex, vivid, and unforgettable characters.

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

(0 hours)
In this course, aspiring writers will learn techniques to ground a story in a concrete world. From realist to fantastical settings, writers will describe the physical world in sharp, sensory detail.

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

(0 hours)
Your style is distinctive, but you can enhance it. This course introduces aspiring writers to the art of writing with impact. We'll study the use of metaphor and imagery, and demonstrate how clarity, grace, and inventiveness in word choice are imperative to a story's success.

Capstone: Your Story

(0 hours)
Everything comes together in the Capstone. Draft a complete story, narrative essay, or memoir of 8–15 pages. Revise, rewrite, and complete it with peer feedback. Skills in plotting, setting, characterization, and style culminate in an original work. Discuss steps professional writers take to publish their work. Learn revision habits of writers.

Save this collection

Save Creative Writing to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser