We all want to write better. But just like any other skill, becoming a better writer takes time, energy, and often money (and numerous trips to the library)!
However, it’s your wallet’s lucky day as I’ve managed to find a list of free online writing courses to improve writing skills that still take time and energy, but at least they don’t take money.
10 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Writing Skills
If you are interested in building your writing skills, you might want to look into these free online writing courses:
Free Creative Writing Course from The Crafty Writer
This eight-part writing course covers the basics of creative writing, including how to think creatively, how to write poetry, how to write characters, how to write dialogue, and more. It’s perfect for new creative writers!
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy from MCET
This course started as a local-access TV show on an educational channel. Now the course is hosted online. The course is designed to help young (or old) writers learn techniques for creating more effective and compelling science fiction stories.
What is Good Writing? From OpenLearn
This course overviews the very basics of writing and covers topics such as styles used in writing and the importance of writing effective essays.
Intro to Humor Writing from Grace Bello
The ability to add humor to writing can make a huge difference in how enjoyable it is to read. This mini-course is video based and offers practical tips from an existing humor writer. Assignments and hands-on activities make this course worth the time.
Cleaning Your Copy from Poynter News University
This free course focuses on basics of editing and improving copy before editing. The self-paced course teaches students how to use things like AP style, effective grammar, basic writing styles, and similar content.
Start Writing Fiction from OpenLearn
This simple course breaks down the essential elements of fiction writing including character, setting, and genre. If you are interested in writing fiction at all (and even if you already have practice in the area) then this course can help you figure out the basics. It’s always helpful to have someone else’s prospective! Even if you never plan to write fiction, the same “storytelling” elements that make fiction work help create more compelling non-fiction copy.
Help! For Writers from Poynter News University
This course covers everything you need to know about preventing procrastination, finding the motivation to write, and other practical solutions to common writing problems. The course even offers multiple quizzes to help you determine solutions to your weakest areas.
Get Me Rewrite from from Poynter News University
This course is exactly what it sounds like- help with revision. Most writers agree that about 80 to 90 percent of effort comes in the revision process. Without the ability to revise properly, your writing suffers. This course is designed to help make writing clearer from the start to prevent common writing errors and grammar mistakes.
Writing and Reading Short Stories from MIT Open Courseware
This course simply outlines tips for creating effective and interesting short stories. The biggest advantage to this class is that it offers students hands-on practice in creating their own short stories.
Core Skills for the 21st Century Journalist from Poynter News University
This course covers the basics of journalism in the 21st century covering topics like necessary skills, ethics, necessary skills, and more. Even authors and blog owners can benefit from this course, which is now offered free courtesy of The Knight Foundation.
Bonus Tip
I find I write much better when I am reading quality literature. One of my favorite ways to improve my writing is to read book quotes based on the style I want to emulate. For example, if I want to write something with an romantic tone, I read romantic quotes from books.
Have you ever taken any free online writing courses? What are your favorites?
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