Coursera Creative Writing Specialization Review
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Introduction
While many people dream of writing a book, it’s not uncommon for them to view creative writing courses with a sense of suspicion. Writing is often held up as some kind of mystical art form that can’t be taught. As though it’s a talent you either possess or you don’t, rather than a skill that can be developed through study and practice. And I must admit, this is a belief I used to hold. That is until I undertook Coursera’s Creative Writing Specialization. It’s an online course developed by Wesleyan University and hosted on the Coursera learning platform. The specialisation aims to make you a better storyteller and is designed for both new and experienced writers alike.
What is the Coursera Creative Writing Specialization?
The specialisation is an online course comprising five distinct course units. The first four cover elements of craft, while the last is a capstone project. Although the courses can be undertaken individually, they are designed to be completed together. The specialisation is taught by the teachers from Wesleyan University, a liberal arts college based in Middletown, Connecticut.
What does the course cover?
Coursera’s Creative Writing Specialization is split into five individual courses, each of which I will outline below. They are designed to be worked on over a 3-6 month period but can be finished faster if you prefer to work at a quicker pace.
Course 1. The Craft of Plot
Taught by novelist Brando Skyhorse, this unit teaches you the different elements of a plot and how they come together to form a story. Brando does a great job of explaining different structures and gives examples of how these have been used in famous works of literature. Once you understand how these structures work, it becomes easier to apply them to your own ideas.
Plot can be one of the most challenging elements of writing, but I found Brando’s explanations both helpful and enlightening. Within this course, he also touches on crafting scenes as well as editing and revision.
Course 2. The Craft of Character
An engaging protagonist is often the driving force of a compelling story. In the specialisation’s second unit, Amy Bloom covers what goes into creating captivating characters, focusing on how different physical and emotional qualities shape an individual. She offers insights into how flaws, goals and desires can help to drive a character through the story’s plot.
Amy encourages you to draw from your own life experiences and use these to create believable and intriguing characters. She also touches on dialogue and character voice.
Course 3. The Craft of Setting and Description
In this unit, Amity Gaige explains the importance of setting and description, outlines the different phases of research, and offers useful tips for constructing a fully fleshed-out fictional world.
One of the most interesting elements of this course was the meditation exercise. Here, Amity explains how you can use meditation to finely tune your focus and benefit from increased clarity in your writing.
Course 4. The Craft of Style
Style is subjective, and as such, prose can be hard to judge. Given how much of this subject is based on interpretation, Salvatore Scibona does an amazing job educating learners on how they can use style to their advantage.
Salvatore guides us through meaning and clarity, teaches the pyramid of language, looks at word choice, and explores the use of nouns and verbs. He takes examples from famous works and puts them under a microscope, inspecting their use of language and explaining how it benefits the piece. After Brando Skyhorse’s course on plot, I found this to be the most useful and interesting of the bunch.
Course 5. Capstone: Your Story
The capstone section is where you take all of the knowledge you have acquired during the previous courses and utilise it in a final piece of writing. Salvatore Scibona teaches the final unit of the overall specialisation, where you’re guided through the writing process from the inception to the completion of your first draft.
Throughout each course, teachers also undertake what they call ‘Shop Talks’. These are interviews conducted with either the other teachers or with visiting writers. During these videos, the writers discuss their work and muse over the subject topics taught within course modules.
Assignments
At the end of each course is an assignment module. Here you’re given a task to complete based on the teachings of that unit. Some of these tasks are more entertaining than others, but this is all down to personal taste. All are designed to test your knowledge and improve your skills as a writer.
Important note – all assignments are peer-reviewed. In order to have your work reviewed by other learners, you are required to review three pieces of writing in return. This is a disadvantage if you want feedback from a teacher, but a great way to gauge how your peers receive your work.
Is there a certificate for completing the course?
Upon completion you will receive a certificate. These can be shared on your LinkedIn profile or added to your CV.
How much does it cost?
When you sign up for the course you’re given a week-long trial period. You’re free to cancel within this time if you feel the course isn’t right for you. The specialisation runs as a subscription and you pay monthly until completion. The cost of the course depends on the country (currently $59/month for those in the US, £44/month for those based in the UK).
Did this course improve my writing?
Undoubtedly, yes. Since completing the lessons, I’ve found myself not only writing differently but also reading in a new way. Every time I open a book, I recognise so many of the tools and methodologies taught, and this only confirms the legitimacy of the content. My writing process has become more refined and focused, and the skills gained are advantageous in all areas of my writing, creative or otherwise.
Conclusion
The Coursera Creative Writing Specialization is great for anyone looking to improve and develop their writing. The course is perfect for complete newbies hoping to grasp the basics of plot, character and style. I found the teachers to be both knowledgeable and engaging, and the videos were easy to watch. Seasoned writers will also benefit from the content, particularly those who feel they’re in a rut and in need of a new direction. Undertaking this course should help reignite their passion for writing and put new life into their work.
And after sitting through all five modules and practising the associated exercises, I’m not ashamed to admit my view of creative writing courses has changed. In fact, I now actively encourage anyone with a desire to write fiction to undertake this course.