8 Best Fiction Writing Courses For Beginners in 2024

Coursesity Team -

Imagine crafting intricate worlds, shaping multidimensional characters, and weaving gripping narratives that transport readers to places they've never been. Fiction writing is an art form that holds the power to captivate minds and hearts, but mastering this craft requires dedication, guidance, and a profound understanding of storytelling.

Are you an aspiring novelist eager to breathe life into your characters and transport your readers to far-off lands? Or perhaps you're an avid storyteller looking to refine your skills and take your writing to new heights. No matter where you are on your writing journey, the quest to become a better fiction writer is exciting.

In our fast-paced digital age, the options for learning and improving one's writing skills are abundant, but finding the perfect course to suit your needs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we have researched creative writing education to compile a list of the Best Fiction Writing Courses. Whether you prefer interactive workshops, personalized feedback from seasoned authors, or comprehensive self-paced modules, our handpicked selection caters to every writer's dream.

Top Fiction Writing Courses List

  1. The Foundations of Fiction (Writing Mastery)
  2. Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot
  3. Reverse Engineer Riveting Fiction & Write Best Selling Books
  4. Creative Writing Specialization
  5. Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
  6. Fiction Writing: A Complete Novel Outline Chapter by Chapter
  7. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)
  8. Start Writing Fiction

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1. The Foundations of Fiction (Writing Mastery)

Unleash your creativity and embark on a transformative journey to become a master fiction writer. This comprehensive course will equip you with the essential tools every accomplished fiction writer knows and uses to craft their stories. Whether you dream of writing novels, short stories, memoirs, flash fiction, screenplays, or stage plays, we'll guide you through the 6 Universal Foundations that underpin all great fiction.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following:

  • Master the 6 universal foundations that make up all great fiction.
  • Create complex, realistic characters who will jump right off the page.
  • Write vibrant, riveting dialogue that will breathe life into your scenes.
  • Construct vivid, memorable settings that will shape the world of your story.
  • Compose intricate, scintillating prose that will pull readers in from the first word.
  • Structure masterful, gripping plots that will hook readers and keep them turning pages.

Throughout the course, you'll delve into the art of character development, creating complex and realistic characters that leap off the page and captivate readers. You'll learn to craft riveting dialogue that breathes life into your scenes, revealing character traits and driving the plot forward. Navigating the intricacies of narrative perspective, you'll immerse readers in your characters' minds and emotions, building a strong connection between them and your story.

With a focus on narrative style, you'll develop your unique writing voice, composing intricate and scintillating prose that draws readers in from the very first word. Additionally, you'll explore the creation of immersive and memorable settings, shaping the world of your story to enhance the narrative's impact. Finally, master the art of plot construction as you weave together gripping story arcs, keeping readers engaged and eager to turn the pages.

  • Course rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (5,826 Rating total)
  • Duration: 6 Hours
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

2. Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

Welcome to this Fiction Writing Specialization, a transformative journey that will unlock the secrets of crafting compelling plots and captivating narratives. Throughout this specialized course, aspiring writers will explore the most elemental and challenging element of storytelling: plot.

This Fiction Writing specialization includes four modules:

In this foundational module, we'll dive into the essentials of plot definitions and mechanics. Learn what plot truly entails, how it shapes a narrative, and the crucial distinction between plot and story. Through analyzing renowned works like the Harry Potter series, you'll grasp the vital connection between character and action, and how they give life to the plot. As you create dynamic characters, you'll be guided by five key questions to infuse depth into your storytelling.

The second module will discover the significance of story structure and how understanding it can enhance your storytelling abilities. Unravel the concept of Freytag's pyramid and the five-act structure, and explore how classical literature beautifully exemplifies these structural elements. Embrace the power of outlines in organizing your stories effectively.

Scenes are the building blocks of a great narrative, and in this third module, we'll explore their true essence. Distinguish between telling and showing, and understand the five key elements that make a scene impactful. Experience effective scene examples and delve into the significance of setting and description in breathing life into your writing.

The final module delves into the crucial process of editing and revising your work. You will learn to refine and polish your writing from the first draft to the final submission. Follow a comprehensive twenty-one-point checklist to fine-tune your work and create characters with strong motivations. Understand the balance between rewriting and cutting language to ensure your story flows flawlessly.

By the end of this Fiction Writing Specialization, you will emerge as a skilled storyteller with the knowledge and expertise to craft plots that keep readers spellbound.

  • Course rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (4,598 Rating total)
  • Duration: 5 Hours
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

3. Reverse Engineer Riveting Fiction & Write Best Selling Books

Are you aspiring to be a prolific writer capable of captivating your readers from the first page to the very last? Look no further! This course will equip you with the skills to present exciting and engaging stories to keep your readers invested throughout your book.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following:

  • Outline best-selling fiction books.
  • Improve any story by adding more tension and excitement.
  • Write quicker and easier with an outline as your guide.
  • Analyze great stories and use them to inspire your own amazing stories.

Through practical examples, you'll learn how to break down popular fiction into its essential elements - the skeleton of the story. From this simple outline, the course demonstrates how to create two new stories in different genres, showcasing the effectiveness of my outlining method.

The simplicity of this approach guarantees that by the end of the training, you'll be fully equipped to craft your book with thrilling storylines. We'll explore how to build each section of your story using straightforward techniques, employing strategic questions to unleash your creativity.

By joining this training, you'll not only create compelling books, but you'll also be able to write them at a faster pace. This course will empower you to outline your story effectively, breaking it down into manageable sections, and making the writing process smoother and more efficient.

  • Course rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (1,271 Rating total)
  • Duration: 1 Hour
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

4. Creative Writing Specialization

This Specialization encompasses three major creative writing genres: short story, narrative essay, and memoir. Through this program, you will acquire the techniques employed by skilled writers to craft compelling stories featuring memorable characters set in intriguing environments, all conveyed through a fresh and descriptive style. You will engage in peer writing analysis and constructive evaluation. In the Capstone, you will draft, rewrite, and complete a substantial original story in your chosen genre.

In this creative writing specialization, you will learn the following 5 modules:

Module 1 - Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

Discover the essence of storytelling as we explore the most elemental and challenging element: plot. Uncover how the plot moves a narrative, manipulates emotions, and keeps readers engrossed in a fictional world. Learn to outline and structure a plot, discussing narrative arc, pacing, and reversals, ultimately connecting the beginning, middle, and end in an inevitable surprise.

Module 2 - Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

At the heart of a compelling story lie its characters. Unearth the art of creating complex, vivid, and unforgettable characters. Explore techniques to bring characters to life on the page, using both writing and pre-writing exercises. Develop inner and outer lives for characters, drawing from personal experiences without overreliance. Breathe life into your characters and let them surprise you.

Module 3 - The Craft of Setting and Description

In this module, aspiring writers will discover the techniques used by fiction masters to ground stories in vibrant and sensory-rich worlds. From realistic settings to fantastical realms, you'll learn to describe the physical world with sharp detail, employing creative meditation exercises to deepen your understanding and make your readers envision the immersive landscapes you create. By the end of this course, you'll be skilled in crafting credible and captivating settings that breathe life into your narratives, elevating your writing to new heights.

Module 4 - Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

Embrace the uniqueness of your writing style and learn how to enhance it. Study the art of using metaphor and imagery, as well as the importance of clarity and inventiveness in word choice. Refine your revision skills to elevate the quality of your stories and prose.

Module 5 - Capstone: Your Story

In this culminating module, you'll draft a complete story, narrative essay, or memoir of 8–15 pages. Benefit from peer feedback to revise, rewrite, and complete your work. Employ the skills acquired in plotting, setting, physical description, characterization, and stylistic clarity to create an original masterpiece. Discover the steps that professional writers take to bring their work to the public world and embrace the patience required for successful revision.

  • Course rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (4,899 Rating total)
  • Duration: 10 Hours/week
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

5. Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey into the realms of science fiction and fantasy storytelling? This course is here to help you unleash your creativity and transform your ideas into captivating tales that will enthrall readers and transport them to magical worlds.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following:

  • Learn all about the most popular science fiction and fantasy genres.
  • Explore plot techniques for space travel, time travel, psy power, magic, and more.
  • Discover the easy way to structure your character's story.
  • Learn techniques that will bring your writing to life.
  • Publish your novel using these simple steps.
  • Brainstorm marketing and sales techniques that will make you a bestseller!

Throughout this course, you'll learn the tried-and-true techniques successful authors use to structure their stories, making them come alive with vivid characters and compelling settings. You will dive into the fascinating possibilities of space travel, time travel, and supernatural powers and understand how to make them feel authentic and captivating for your readers.

With the six-step process, you'll find a structured and practical approach to writing your science fiction or fantasy novel or screenplay. From crafting a compelling story to polishing your manuscript, this course will be your side, offering guidance and support every step of the way.

  • Course rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 (509 Rating total)
  • Duration: 7.5 Hours
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

6. Fiction Writing: A Complete Novel Outline Chapter by Chapter

This course will help you learn the art of crafting compelling whodunit mystery novels. It will equip you with the skills and knowledge to delve into the intriguing world of mystery writing and create captivating tales of suspense and intrigue.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following:

  • Comprehensive whodunit mystery novel outline ready for your first draft.
  • How to stagger scenes from character to character to maintain tension.
  • Understand what a comprehensive novel outline should look like to give you the best chance at writing a complete first draft.
  • Understand character traits and how to use them to create meaningful characters.
  • Comprehensive Whodunit outline that can be modified for future novels.

By the end of the program, you will have a comprehensive outline ready for your first draft, ensuring a strong foundation for your story. You'll discover how to stage scenes effectively to maintain tension, understand the key elements of a comprehensive novel outline, and learn how to create meaningful characters using character traits.

  • Course rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (462 Rating total)
  • Duration: 3 Hours
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

7. Fiction for Young Writers (Writing Mastery)

In this writing course, you will embark on an exciting journey to unleash your creativity and elevate your storytelling skills through a series of engaging writing prompts. You will learn the art of crafting awesome characters that leap off the page and breathe life into your narratives. Additionally, you will master the intricacies of writing dazzling dialogue, infusing your scenes with vibrancy and depth.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following:

  • Unlock your creativity and spark your imagination with lots of fun writing prompts.
  • Create awesome characters who will jump right off the page and take your stories to the next level.
  • Write dazzling dialogue that will transform lifeless scenes into vibrant stories.
  • Build memorable settings that shape the world of your story and bring that world to life.
  • Narrate stories from an engaging and interesting point of view to hook your readers and draw them into your fictional worlds.
  • Develop exciting plots that will keep your stories on track and have your readers on the edge of their seats to find out what happens next!
  • Expand a single idea into a compelling finished story.

Throughout the course, you'll expand a single idea into a compelling finished story, equipped with the tools and techniques to take your writing to the next level. The course delves into the secrets of plot development, ensuring your stories stay on track and keep your audience on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel what comes next.

  • Course rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (337 Rating total)
  • Duration: 3.5 Hours
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

8. Start Writing Fiction

Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course.

In this fiction writing course, you will learn the following topics:

  • Creation of characters in fiction
  • Different sources for characters in stories
  • Ways of presenting characters in stories
  • Reading as a writer
  • Writing practice, including creativity, research, observation, and editing
  • Peer reviewing, workshops, and the importance of feedback

This course will embark you on a transformative journey into the world of fiction writing, where you will learn the rituals of journaling and the art of developing ideas. You will delve into the reflection and editing process as you fine-tune your writing and gain insight into the research methods used by established writers.

Through this course, you'll engage in peer reviews, honing your ability to read as a writer and respond to valuable feedback. You will discover the art of creating compelling characters and generating gripping stories. Explore the power of a writer's notebook in developing ideas and enhancing your observational awareness.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the skills and insights to craft fiction with confidence and finesse. You will learn to appreciate the significance of other authors and their works in shaping your reading as a writer.

  • Course rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 (897 Rating total)
  • Duration: 8 weeks (3h/week)
  • Certificate: Certificate of completion

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