Where Can I Find Free Online Fiction Writing Courses?
Free online fiction writing courses are available at universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Open University. Courses include writing what you know and reading and writing short stories.
What You Need to Know
The following colleges offer free courses in writing fiction, focusing on topics such as the short story and character development. Students can access course materials at any time.
The Open University
The Open University offers an introductory non-credit fiction writing course, in addition to a Writing What You Know course, through the school's OpenLearn website. Materials are available as audio, Word or PDF files.
What Can I Learn?
You could explore how writers create fictional characters, settings and plots, in addition to examining different genres and gauging your fiction-writing abilities. You could also learn how to use your experiences as a foundation for writing fiction. The Writing What You Know course focuses on sharpening observation and memory to improve your descriptive writing skills.
What Assignments Can I Complete?
You could complete several reading assignments. You could then create different types of fictional characters or write scenes in which they interact with their surroundings. Using all of your senses, you could write detailed descriptions of your surroundings. You might also use personal memories as the impetus for your storytelling. Discussion questions are included to help you digest the reading materials.
What Materials Are Provided?
Materials include excerpts from the course's fiction writing textbook and a list of tips on creating characters. Audio files of authors discussing character development and suspense are available. Also included will be an interview with an author who is a creative writing instructor. There are PDF files of essays and stories, as well.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) initially provided a writing and reading short stories course to undergraduate students on campus. You can now access this course online for free through MIT's OpenCourseWare (OCW) system.
What Can I Learn?
You could learn how short fiction is constructed. Additionally, you may study plot development, characterization and metaphor by reading classic short stories.
What Assignments Can I Complete?
You could write your own stories during your studies. However, because this is a non-credit course, you will not be able to turn in assignments or participate in workshops.
What Materials Are Provided
Materials include lecture notes, workshop guides and five examples of student short stories. You will need a PDF reader to download these files.