Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life

Shaun starts the course by telling you why he became a writer, and how his personal experiences and the people in his life continue to shape how he writes stories. He also shares the books and writers that influence his work.

In the second unit, discover why writing is important to Shaun, see what you’re about to learn in the course, and do some practical and “simple” exercises to get you started, such as writing about the details of your day.

Next, learn about the narrative options available to you when you write a story, and see how to boost your writing by looking closely at the work of other writers. Explore the materials you can use to write and experiment with different notebooks and pens. Learn how to write by observing your surroundings, using the here and now as your starting point.

See the different points of view and perspectives you have at your disposal and find the right one for the story you’re writing. Then, start sketching with words to approach your story as an artistic creation. See how to use great works of literature for inspiration and learn about the shapes, echoes, and repetitions that are there in your writing. Learn how to avoid being overly critical about your work and have faith in your writing process.

Go deeper into the details of your story, see how to use the writing itself to brainstorm for new ideas, and develop your observation skills by trying out different approaches to writing. Learn how to find precise words and take notice of the small details with some of Shaun’s practical exercises.

Once you’ve completed the first draft, explore some techniques to shape your final story. Look at how to edit and rewrite your work, and see how to share it with the world. Finally, get Shaun’s tips and motivation to keep you developing and expanding your creative writing.