This 6-week introductory cocombinesining lectures and practical writing exercises. It is designed for beginners or anyone who wants to refresh their creative writing skills and confidence. Are you eager to explore creative writing but unsure where to start, or have you written previously and want to reignite that passion? This course guides you safely into the writing life with encouragement and structure, helping you develop confidence in your voice and abilities.
Throughout the course, you will explore the fundamental principles and practices that writers use to observe the world, generate ideas, and craft compelling narratives. There is no pressure to commit to a specific project or writing genre; instead, you will experiment with various approaches, see situations with a writer's perspective, spark new ideas to life, and gain confidence working with both fiction and nonfiction forms. Creative writing is one of the most fulfilling ways to express yourself, and this course welcomes writers of all ages and backgrounds.
Course Structure:
- Week 1: OIL (Observation, Imagination, Language) - The importance of having fun with writing and exploration of these creative writing cornerstones
- Week 2: Show and Tell - Understanding the difference between showing and telling with practical techniques including sensory detail, specificity, and scenic construction
- Week 3: Individuality - The power of journaling, writing what you know, writing what you want to know, and finding your unique writer's voice
- Week 4: Fiction - Types and forms of fiction, where to find story ideas, and the basics of creating memorable characters, plot, and point of view
- Week 5: Nonfiction - Exploration of three forms of creative nonfiction: memoir, personal essays, and narrative nonfiction, plus techniques for developing nonfiction ideas
- Week 6: Getting Better - Good writing habits, overcoming writer's block, approaches to revision, reading as a writer, and resources for continued growth
Important Notes:
- This course includes both fiction and nonfiction prose writing.
- The 101 courses do not include workshopping of full student projects, but students do write and receive personalized feedback on writing exercises and assignments throughout the course.
- Content may vary slightly among individual class sections.
About Online Learning at Gotham:
- These online classes bring students from around the globe to Gotham, New York City's most prestigious writing school, creating a diverse and vibrant learning community.
- Online classes operate asynchronously, not in real-time, allowing you to participate whenever convenient for you, day or night. Classes advance week by week, with specific assignments and milestones to complete during each weekly session.
- You can take an online writing class from anywhere with an internet connection. While most students are based in the United States, we also welcome students from nearly every country in the world.
- Comprehensive tech support is available throughout the course.
- You will have permanent access to all class materials, resources, and feedback for future reference. The materials include text and images; note that classes are not delivered as video content.
