List of best creative writing courses in Edinburgh

Top 7 Creative Writing Courses in Edinburgh With Placements

November 2, 2024 Kundanika Nanda

Writing creatively is an art form that can be developed with consistent practice. However, as demand grows, it is necessary to upskill yourself to meet evolving needs. Many creative writing courses in Edinburgh are available to help you keep up with the pace. In this article, we will discuss the best training programs for various writing genres such as fiction, poetry, writing a book, novels, memoirs, and so on.

What do we mean by Creative Writing?
What kind of writing cannot be deemed creative?
Types of Creative Writing
What Components Make Up Creative Writing?
Can creative writing be taught?
How to get started with Creative Writing
Opportunities for Writers
7 Best creative writing courses in Edinburgh to get started

What Do We Mean By Creative Writing?

As its name implies, creative writing is a type of writing that transcends the conventional boundaries of formal, academic, professional, or technical writing. Instead, it includes a variety of diverse genres and writing styles from both the fiction and non-fiction writing professions, including storytelling, playwriting, poetry, prose, journalism, and more.

Despite the definition’s occasional fuzziness, in general, any form of writing that is original and self-expressive can be referred to as creative writing. It is usually differentiated by a focus on narrative craft, which highlights elements like character development, narrative, and storyline while also including creativity, uniqueness, and tale into its structural structure.

In this sense, creative writing can be characterized as any modern, original composition that defies established rules and makes use of a wide variety of stylistic devices. In an academic setting, creative writing classes are typically divided into fiction, poetry, or scriptwriting, with an emphasis on writing in an original style that is not defined by pre-existing structures and genres.

What Kind of Writing Cannot Be Deemed Creative?

Research papers, on the other hand, are not the same as creative writing. Essays that are analytical, argumentative or any other type of academic writing are not included. Because both personal and business communications are not deemed to be creative writing, your emails, social media posts, and official company announcements all fall under the category of non-creative writing.

This type of writing conveys messages rather than themes. Their goals are to educate and inform readers while also collecting information from them on occasion. But although they can arouse readers’ emotions, it isn’t their main objective. What about items like blog postings, though? or private essays?

These are broad categories, but particular works within them may be considered creative writing if they meet the criteria listed above. For instance, this blog article is informative rather than creative writing, but one that guides the reader through a first-person account of an event would qualify.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many different genres and techniques of creative writing. There are numerous types of creative writing, which can be classified as fiction or nonfiction, and which will be covered in the creative writing courses in Edinburgh. Among the most popular are:

Biographies

A biography is a detailed account of another person’s life written in the third person. It contains basic information about the subject’s life, such as their birthplace, educational background, and interests. A biography may describe the subject’s relationships with family members, as well as significant early experiences and how they influenced their upbringing.

A biography provides information on the accomplishments and significant moments in a person’s life, but it is more than just a list of facts and numbers; it is a compelling narrative that takes the reader from beginning to end.

Playwriting/scriptwriting

Plays are intended to be staged performances. Both screenplays and TV scripts are intended to be turned into films or television shows. This group also includes scripts for videos created for other platforms. Novels and short tales have a lot in common with plays, TV scripts, and screenplays.

They narrate tales that arouse feelings and convey themes. The fact that they are intended to be performed rather than read makes them different, and as a result, they frequently rely heavily on a conversation because they lack the luxury of extended descriptive sections.

However, writing a play or screenplay involves more than just writing dialogue; it also entails writing stage or scene instructions.

Personal Essays

A true tale is recounted in a personal essay using a narrative structure. In this type of essay, memories of occurrences are frequently mixed with reflections on those events and your own interpretations and feelings about them.

Fiction: Novels, Novellas, Short Stories, etc.

The eighteenth century was the beginning of the novel. Most people today think of novels when they think of literature. A novel is a work of fiction, typically 60,000–100,000 words long, though it can be as little as 40,000 words or as long as 100,000. Novellas are sometimes used to describe stories that are neither short nor long enough to be considered true short stories.

A novella is often a narrative between 10,000 and 40,000 words. The term “novelette,” which is used to describe stories with a word count of between 7,500 and 19,000, may also come up.

Fictional tales classified as short stories often include 5,000–10,000 words. Similar to novels, they describe whole storylines and contain at least one character, a conflict of some description, and a subject. A narrative is considered to be a work of flash fiction if it is shorter than 1,000 words.

Poetry and Spoken Word

Because poetry is such an open-ended form, it can be challenging to describe. No set length is required for a poem. It is not required to rhyme. The many diverse types of poems, including sonnets, haikus, sestinas, blank verse, limericks, and free verse, come from all across the world’s cultures.

Unless you’re composing a certain style of poem, like a haiku, which has strict guidelines surrounding the number of lines or structure, poetry rules are often flexible. A poem does need to provoke the reader’s emotions, come from a certain point of view, and express a theme, even though it is not obliged to follow a set length or formatting requirement or utilize faultless grammar.

Moreover, a song is created when a poem is placed into music. Creative writing courses in Edinburgh can help you to understand the nitty-gritty of creative writing.

What Components Make Up Creative Writing?

You must comprehend the components of what constitutes creating a fantastic book in order to improve your creative writing skills. Do you know how you can’t design a car engine without knowing the function of each component? The same applies to writing. Creative writing courses in Edinburgh can help you to understand the nitty-gritty of creative writing.

Here are the components of creative writing and the reasons why each is equally crucial.

Underlying Theme
Character development
Unique Plot
Visual Descriptions
Imaginative Language
Emotional Appeal
Point of View

Can Creative Writing Be Taught?

Without a doubt! Creative writing is a subject that can be taught and is very popular among university students and others. Those who study Creative Writing will typically study a variety of texts from various periods of time in order to learn more about the various genres of writing within the field.

They’ll become acquainted with some of the industry’s most prominent creative writers, from previous generations to the present, as well as some lesser-known and emerging writers. It’s not uncommon for Creative Writing students to participate in regular workshops and scratch sessions, where they bring a piece of their writing to class and have it read by other students and the tutor, inspired by what they’ve learned in the classroom.

They’ll leave with constructive feedback on how to improve their writing or recommendations of other works to read to gain inspiration. Taking up creative writing courses in Edinburgh can help in understanding the process and production of writing pieces.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing

Read some of our advice on how to start creative writing below if you’re interested in boosting your writing skills and getting those creative juices flowing along with taking up creative writing courses in Edinburgh:

Read as much as you can

Inspiration for creative writers can come from a variety of places, but it usually comes from reading works by other authors. All authors should draw inspiration from the great works of creative writing that have been produced throughout history. To really acquire a sense of the kind of writing you might like to undertake, read widely across a range of genres and writers.

Start Journaling

An excellent method to develop your creative side is to keep a notebook. You can practice writing by making it a daily habit to write about literally anything that has been bothering you that day. Your confidence will increase the more frequently your journal. You never know, something you wrote about in your journal can inspire your next big idea!

Practice using literary devices

Metaphors, similes, and rhymes, for example, can help you write more vividly and create highly descriptive imaginative scenes. Use them on a regular basis, and you’ll soon see your own creative writing flourish. Need some inspiration to get you started? Look around your house and select an object at random. Then, use 5 literary devices to describe the same object and see where your imagination takes you!

Keep on writing

One of the most important pieces of advice we can give on how to start creative writing is to pick up your pen or laptop and start writing. You will only begin your creative writing journey when you physically do it, whether you have a single conversation starter for a character or a complete narrative arc.

Even if you have no idea what to write, look for writing prompt inspiration everywhere. The more you practice letting your imagination run wild, the easier it will be to write for longer periods of time.

Attend a Creative Writing Course

Joining a creative writing course could be a great option if you’re just starting out as a creative writer and want to collaborate, share ideas with others, and workshop your writing. These courses are designed to help you expand your creative writing toolkit; you’ll analyze some of the industry’s best writers and workshop some of your own work with your peers.

Opportunities for Writers

Advertising copywriter
Arts administrator
Creative director
Digital Copywriter
Editorial Assistant
Higher education lecturer
Lexicographer
Magazine journalist
Newspaper journalist
Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
Talent agent
Writer

Also, check here the best:

7 Best Creative Writing Courses in Edinburgh

The following list gives you some of the best creative writing courses in Edinburgh:

1. IIM SKILLS

IIM SKILLS offers a content writing master course in which you can learn to unleash your creativity, write flawlessly, and gain confidence as a writer. The course is a comprehensive overview of all types of writing forms that a writer should be familiar with, whether content or creative writing.

When you enroll in the course, you will be exposed to a variety of modules that will help you generate unique ideas for your next draught. If you are serious about advancing your career, IIM SKILLS should be at the top of your list for creative writing courses in Edinburgh.

Content Writing Course Structure

4 weeks of live classroom online
3-month guaranteed internship(optional)
30 hours of training includes(16 hour lectures+14 hours)
Free tools worth 362.75 Pound sterling
Cost: 154.43 Pound sterling

Course Advantage

Freelance opportunities
Portfolio development
Opportunities to write for renowned platforms like the Times of India
Publication support for book articles and press releases on online platforms
certification ( govt recognized)
Preparation from HubSpot Content Marketing Certification (USA)
Lifetime support

What all You’ll Learn

WordPress
Keyword research
Blogging
Article writing, Press release
Product Description, Business listing
Commercial page
E-book, book review
Copywriting, Video Scripts
SOP, Resume, Portfolio
Email writing, Social writing
Instructional booklets, brochures, flyers
Infographic
Technical writing 101, legal writing
Research paper, white paper
SEO
Publishing a book(live)
Search console and web analytics
Affiliate marketing and Adsense

2. Masterclasses

The Masterclass is a streaming platform that allows anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by more than 150 of the world’s best. What distinguishes the master classes from others? You can work on projects and activities as part of a planned curriculum.

Sharing your work with a group of interested peers and receiving feedback from qualified teaching assistants will allow you to actively participate in the session. This course’s primary goal is to teach students how to write timeless, relevant stories ranging from historical to futuristic fiction.

Key Characteristics

Class Duration: 23 videos, or 3 hours and 43 minutes
Listed Under: writing, creative arts
Instructor: One of the most renowned authors, Margaret Atwood, is the instructor. The author of The Handmaid’s Tale teaches how she crafts compelling stories from historical to speculative fiction that remain timeless and relevant.
Cost: All classes and sessions start at Rs. 1295 per month, billed yearly.
30-day money-back Guarantee

3. Reedsy Learning

There is no such thing as an inexperienced writer who cannot learn something new about their profession. With the help of Reedsy Learning’s online writing classes, anyone, regardless of ability level, can easily develop their art, establish better routines, and live the creative writing life they’ve always desired.

What Does Reedsy’s Teaching Include?

Reedsy’s online writing classes are taught by professionals such as best-selling fantasy author Ben Galley and former Simon & Schuster editor Kate Angellella.

Topics Include:

composing brief stories
Don’t tell, show
creating a book for children
writing a novel
The use of dialogue
Developing a rigid writing schedule

What is the price?

They offer free writing classes to anyone. Reedsy believes that knowledge should not be limited to those who can afford to pay for it. With a little surfing, you can learn about any topic.

4. Skillshare

On Skillshare, creative writing professionals offer a variety of online courses. Their online course is made up of short lectures as well as completed and shared hands-on projects. You will have numerous opportunities to experiment and learn new things. They offer classes led by celebrities as well as those led by passionate professionals.

Cost:

$19.99/month or $99/year

5. Edx

Edx, an American provider of massive open online courses, was founded by Harvard and MIT. It offers a diverse range of creative writing courses specializing in various fields.

Various Courses Offered

Structure and Outline for Writing a Novel: University of British Columbia

Course span: 6 weeks (4-6 hours per week)

Cost to Enroll: INR( 23397)

Writing a Novel (Writing the Draft): University of British Columbia

Course span: 6 weeks (4-6 hours per week)

Cost to Enroll: INR( 23397)

Writing Successfully for the Stage: University of Cambridge

Course Duration: 4 weeks( 8-10 hours per week)Cost to Enroll: free

6. XIC (Xavier Institute of Communication)

XIC provides a useful program for aspiring authors who want to know the various elements of creative writing and learn how to use them to enhance their skills.

Course Content

Critiquing pieces by professional writers
Critiquing pieces by fellow writers
Writing exercises

Course Length

8 sessions of 2 hours each

Starting from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm(online)

Fees:

INR 8000 (including GST).

7. British Council

The creative writing course offered by the British Council teaches unique writing techniques. This course offers the chance to learn several techniques for enhancing creativity and the writing process.

Duration :

36-hour course duration (9 weeks)

Fee for Course:

INR 10,000

Content of the Course

Children Fiction
Memoir
Writing short stories
Poetry and poetic tools
Travel writing
Plot
Blogging
Screenwriting
Writing Dialogue
Character and setting
Experimental writing
Getting Published

Course Requirement

Participants should be above the upper-intermediate level (level B2)

All of these are very helpful and certified creative writing courses in Edinburgh.

FAQs

Question 1: What are the essential skills for creative writers?

A: The primary requirements for being a creative writer are language proficiency, creative thinking, a strong vocabulary, research prowess, knowledge of core technical concepts, and the ability to market one’s work.

Question 2: How can creative writing courses help us?

A: As a result of the creative writing courses in Edinburgh, you will be able to stimulate your imagination, empathy, better-thinking organization, a broader vocabulary, critical analysis, and more opportunities.

Question 3: What are the most in-demand writing jobs?

A: Some in-demand writing professions include grant writers, speech writers, content writers, copywriters, ghost writers, and medical writers. Many jobs are available to you after taking up creative writing courses in Edinburgh.

Question 4: Are creative writing classes really worthwhile?

A: One of the most commonly misunderstood facts about creative writing is that it is never considered a mainstream career option, and as a result, creative writing courses are frequently treated as hobby courses. In reality, creative writing is an essential tool for developing your content writing, content strategy, or content marketing.

Creative writing courses in Edinburgh provide the ideal platform and environment for aspiring writers and authors to gain hands-on experience in various writing forms and share their ideas with like-minded individuals, all while being guided by experienced mentors. It provides the much-needed confidence and support that many people lack, causing them to suppress their talent and creativity. Because consumers today demand fresh and enticing content, top media houses, newspapers and magazines, niche online portals, creative and digital marketing agencies, and so on are always on the lookout for talented creative writers.

Writers can’t deliver compelling content on a consistent basis and keep the audience engaged unless they have a strong sense of creativity and the ability to see beyond everyday mundane reality. You can also start and expand your niche blog, write and publish your own book, or collaborate with other authors to create masterpieces of writing.

Question 5: What is the most effective way for me to begin writing?

A: Create some examples, Look for a writing service to help you. Make a blog, Create something for your family and friends. Make friends with other freelancers. Begin by signing up for a content network. Revise and improve your grammar. Discover more about SEO and other related topics. However, you should enroll in creative writing courses in Edinburgh to boost your confidence and learn new writing concepts.

Conclusion

In order to effectively portray a particular idea, feeling, or narrative, creative writing demands you to use your own imagination, creativity, and story. It goes beyond the restrictions placed by traditional writing formats and is entirely dependent on our own choices and experiences. It’s essential to immerse oneself entirely in the realm of literature if you want to start writing creatively.

Read and write as much as you can, and workshop your writing whenever it makes sense. A terrific way to meet other like-minded students, share knowledge and comments, and really advance your skills is through creative writing in summer schools and evening sessions. Creative writing courses in Edinburgh can be a good starting point for your writer’s journey.

Vaibhav Kakkar