creative-writing
Hocbigg - Creative Writing
Path to a free self-taught education in Creative Writing!
Contents
Summary
This curriculum is a complete, MOOC-based Creative Writing major equivalent to a traditional 4-year undergraduate program (minus general education not specific to the discipline).
It builds a rigorous foundation in narrative craft, poetics, literary analysis, writing process, revision, and the professional habits needed by working writers.
Note: When there are courses or books that don’t fit into the curriculum but are otherwise of high quality, they belong in extras/courses, extras/readings or extras/other_curricula.
Communities
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- You can interact through GitHub issues. If there is a problem with a course, or a change needs to be made to the curriculum, this is the place to start the conversation. Read more here.
Curriculum
| Subject | Why study? | Book | Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Creative Writing | Builds foundational skills in imagination, expression, and exploring various genres. | On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King | Start Writing Fiction |
| Fiction Writing | Develops techniques for crafting compelling narratives, characters, and plots. | The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby | Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot OR Writing and Reading Short Stories AND Brandon Sanderson’s Writing Lecture (Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy) |
| Poetry Writing | Enhances mastery of language, rhythm, imagery, and concise emotional expression. | A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver | Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop OR Writing and Reading Poems (MIT OCW) |
| Creative Nonfiction | Teaches blending factual accuracy with narrative flair for memoirs and essays. | On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser | Writing and Experience: Reading and Writing Autobiography |
| Revision and Editing | Refines drafts, improves clarity, and polishes work for professional quality. | Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King | Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization |