Any good writing classes?

Question

Does anyone know of any good writing classes? I would prefer one that is online, since I work fulltime. They can be any sort of class (from a university/college, workshop, etc).

Answer 1

There are some excellent online courses for all kinds of fiction, non-fiction and screenwriting courses at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension department. They offer many of their courses online at www.uclaextension.org.

If you are interested in TV writing, here's an online article I wrote about it... http://wehow.ehow.com/how_2021178_write-tv-spec-script.html

Answer 2

Are you looking for creative writing classes or just classes on how to improve your writing? If you want the former, nothing beats being able to share your writing with other writers or at least someone who can give you a good critique of your work in progress. Lots of good brick and mortar programs will do that, but otherwise you could post your writings to some of the online writers groups and see what happens. If you want the latter, Google "online writing lab" to find OWLS, the free online writing help labs at a lot of university campuses.

Answer 3

You didn't say what type of writing so I'll presume it's fiction. Otherwise be more specific in your questions.

You won't find any storytelling classes in college so I wouldn't even bother looking, unless you're in film school.

But there are seminars. Syd Field and Robert McKee offer the best ones. You can by their books too:

Screenplay by Syd Field

and

Story by Robert McKee

Both are used as texts in film schools. You can find their websites and their seminars near you and sign up (they're expensive though!).

Also, there are many tutorials and sites online that will help you although nothing in a class structure. Try the tutorials and articles on http://www.storyentertainment.com

Answer 4

Look into the Long Ridge Writers Group. Also check out the following magazines they have a lot of ads about programs in many states from many schools. The Writer and Poets & Writers Good luck.

Answer 5

There are some interesting fact sheets with writing exercises here:
http://www.open2.net/reading/getwriting1.html

There are some cool free mini-courses here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting/

Barne and Noble also once had writing courses. You may want to check on that. They're free. Otherwise, if it's for casual learning I also recommend community colleges. The classes are small and intimate, and they are sometimes better than the state and private college classes.

Answer 6

How far are you from a community college? Sometimes they hold creative writing classes at night, or on weekends.
Here is a website:http://www.writingclasses.com/index.php

Answer 7

Personally, I would avoid Long Ridge as one poster suggested. They are costly and I don't think they are all that great. Enroll in a community college writing class if at all possible.