Personal Development
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Creative Writing Specialization

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Course Features

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Duration

6 months

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Delivery Method

Online

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Available on

Limited Access

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Accessibility

Desktop, Laptop

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Language

English

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Subtitles

English

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Level

Beginner

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Effort

1 hour per week

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Teaching Type

Self Paced

Course Description

This specialization includes elements from three major genres of creative writing: memoir, narrative essay, short story. The techniques used by good writers to create a compelling story that is populated with memorable characters and set in an engaging setting. This will be done in a unique descriptive style. You will critically evaluate and constructively critique peer writing. The Capstone will require you to write, revise, and finish a substantial original story in the style of your choice. The courses are suitable for everyone, from novice short-story writers to experienced novelists. This Specialization will give you the tools you need to reach your goals, whether you already have a completed novel on your desk and are looking for inspiration or you've had an idea for a decade. You will learn how to improve your writing skills by taking 4 courses that focus on one aspect of writing. These courses can be taken in any order. Our sponsors have provided a 30% discount on Scrivener's first purchase and an 80% discount for learners who complete their first assignment. Learners who complete an assignment receive 30% off their membership to Scribophile, the online writing community. See the FAQ for more information on our partners.

Course Overview

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Virtual Labs

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International Faculty

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Post Course Interactions

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Instructor-Moderated Discussions

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Case Studies, Captstone Projects

Skills You Will Gain

What You Will Learn

Introduction to the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot

Develop inner (thoughts and feelings) and outer (appearance, habits, behavior) lives for your characters and see how that can leads to richer and more interesting stories

Introduction to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world

Introduction to the art of putting pressure on written language

Course Instructors

Brando Skyhorse

Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

Brando Skyhorse is a Visiting Writer at Wesleyan. His debut novel, The Madonnas of Echo Park, received the 2011 PEN/Hemingway Award and the Sue Kaufman Award for First Fiction from the American Acade...

Amy Bloom

Distinguished University Writer in Residence and Director of the Shapiro Center for Creative Writing

Amy Bloom is the Distinguished University Writer in Residence and Director of the Shapiro Center for Creative Writing at Wesleyan. Previously, she was senior lecturer of Creative Writing in the depar...

Amity Gaige

Visiting Scholar in Creative Writing

Amity Gaige is the author of three novels: O My Darling, The Folded World, and Schroder, which was shortlisted for The Folio Prize in 2014 and named one of the best books of 2013 by The New York Time...

Salvatore Scibona

Frank B. Weeks Visiting Professor of English

Salvatore Scibona is the Frank B. Weeks Visiting Professor of Creative Writing. A Guggenheim Fellow and a National Book Award finalist for his novel The End, published in 2008, Scibona has also been ...
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