Posted on October 20, 2020 at 2:54 PM by Guest Author

Online creative writing workshops give you another way to invest in your craft. Learn how you benefit from this investment and check out some available courses.   

Table of Contents 

The Importance of Investing in Your Craft 

Whether you’ve built a solid career out of writing or are just getting started, you should look for every opportunity to do it better.

Like a lot of skills, writing does require some natural talent. But more importantly, it takes time and effort to develop. 

Further, it’s not something that you just stop working at. Consider popular authors with substantial bodies of work. Even they continue to learn and grow over the years.    

Now, there are many ways to go about becoming a better writer (and a more successful author). There are writing resources you can use to refine your grammar, develop well-rounded characters, and get a boost of creativity.

The beauty of the Internet is there’s no shortage of free tools, articles, and videos you can take advantage of.

But you shouldn’t stop there. If you have the means, you should also consider taking part in online creative writing workshops. 

Here’s the thing... You can improve your writing skills quite a bit just by reviewing all the free writing materials you can get your hands on.

However, you may eventually hit a wall and struggle to move forward. Making a financial investment in your craft by signing up for online creative writing workshops helps in two ways:

  • It allows you to learn from accomplished instructors. 

  • It makes you more committed to applying what you learn. 

Just like how it’s worth putting ad spend behind an ebook to promote your work, it’s worth putting money down on a workshop.

Moreover, if it’s something you’re truly passionate about, you owe it to yourself to make an investment in your craft so you can take your writing to the next level.  

What Online Creative Writing Workshops Can Offer 

First things first, all writing workshops — virtual and on-site alike — offer benefits that you can’t always get from independent study. The organized structure alone makes it much easier to absorb new information.

Moreover, participating in such programs can provide greater value than you may realize.  

Here’s why...

  • They allow you to learn about various aspects of writing and authorship. 

  • They often give you the chance to form relationships with other writers. 

  • They can provide you with a new source of inspiration. 

  • They can help you see things from a different perspective. 

  • They may let you receive outside feedback on current projects. 

However, given the current climate, it makes sense to highlight the benefits of virtual programs in particular. After all, more and more courses are switching to online formats in response to the ongoing pandemic.

Plus, the fact is there are a few advantages to participating in online creative writing workshops versus in-person programs... 

They’re more convenient for those with busy schedules.  

Chances are you have other responsibilities that make attending any kind of in-person event tricky. But the good news is online creative writing workshops are better suited to those with busy schedules.

Instead of having to find a babysitter (or pet sitter), block out time for driving to and from the physical location, and lug around your materials, you can learn from the convenience and comfort of home.   

They’re often a more cost-effective option. 

Naturally, online creative writing workshops vary in price. Some require a small monthly subscription fee for access to several short courses; others cost upwards of $500 for a multi-week course.

In general, however, they tend to be more affordable than those you attend in person. Furthermore, going the virtual route eliminates the expense that goes with driving (or even flying) to an in-person program. 

If you’re trying to stick to a budget but still want to hone your craft, looking at a virtual option may be the way to go. 

They tend to be less stressful than face-to-face sessions. 

Many writers are uncomfortable with the idea of in-person programs. And if you’ve never taken part in a workshop before, you might find it more than a little nerve-racking. In this case, a virtual course may be more your speed. 

Although you still need to interact in the workshop — if you want to get the most out of it, that is — an online setup can help alleviate some of your stress.

Depending on the structure of the workshop you choose, you’ll simply have to unmute your microphone, turn on your camera, and/or type out your responses. 

Resources You Should Check Out 

The great thing about online creative writing workshops is that, especially now, there are tons to choose from. The key is to find a program that fits your budget and needs.

To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of resources worth checking out. 

Writer’s Digest University 

Writer’s Digest University boasts a wide range of workshops and webinars that can help you along your journey to author success. In addition to craft-focused courses such as 12 Weeks to a First Draft and Creative Writing 101, they provide virtual classes on the business side of writing. 

Price: $20 - $800 per program

Availability: Offerings vary and include self-paced courses as well as scheduled workshops.   

Skillshare 

Skillshare is a membership site that gives you unlimited access to thousands of classes, many of which are led by successful authors and industry professionals. You can participate in everything from the month-long Creative Writing Bootcamp to the 42-minute Storytelling 101 class. 

Price: $99 per year

Availability: Offerings vary and include self-paced courses as well as scheduled workshops.   

Udemy 

Udemy is another site that has an impressive catalog of writing courses. Although their offerings aren’t true workshops, you can still learn a lot from classes such as How to Write a Children’s Book and Bring Your Character to Life. 

Price: Free - $130

Availability: Courses are flexible and allow you to go at your own pace.    

MasterClass 

With MasterClass, you’re able to sharpen your skills by listening to lectures from authors you know and love. A few noteworthy courses include Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story, Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling, and R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences. The one downside is you’re unable to get feedback from the instructors. 

Price: $15 per month, billed annually

Availability: Courses are flexible and allow you to go at your own pace.    

Gotham Writers Workshop 

Gotham Writers Workshop, based in New York City, allows writers to get together and develop their craft through a number of scheduled classes. The good news is they also offer online creative writing workshops throughout the year, such as Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing and Poetry Writing.  

Price: $400 - $600 per program

Availability: Workshop dates vary.

Of course, there are plenty of other options out there. Don’t be afraid to search for additional workshops online. Just take care to look at reviews and make sure they’re trustworthy.  

Takeaway 

To achieve greater success as an author, you need to invest in your craft. And it starts by putting time (and usually a little money) into improving your writing.

So, if you’ve been thinking about taking your writing to the next level, consider signing up for one or more online creative writing workshops.

You’ll likely end up coming away with valuable insight that will help you along your journey. 

>>>Ready to invest in your craft even further? Click HERE to promote your free ebook in our newsletter and get more eyes on your work!<<<

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writing advice

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