Looking for Creative Writing Courses in NZ? This guide covers top courses for all levels, online. Whether you’re new to writing or want to improve your skills, you’ll find the right course here
Key Points
- Creative Writing NZ offers online creative writing for all genres and skill levels.
- One-on-one guidance from experienced tutors is a key part of these courses which helps participants develop and succeed in their writing.
- Studying online fosters a community that boosts creativity, critical thinking and helps you achieve your personal writing goals.
Explore Creative Writing Courses in New Zealand
Creative Writing NZ offers courses in novel writing and poetry taught by published authors. These are online so you can fit them into your busy schedule or perfect if you prefer remote learning. For example, the Beginner’s Creative Writing course is 6 weeks long and covers various writing techniques and genres.
Doing a creative writing course will improve your storytelling. With a community of creative writing students and writers, New Zealand is the perfect place to start or continue your writing journey.
Browse the many courses and find the one that matches your passion and goals.
Who Should Take an Online Creative Writing Course?
Our curriculum suits a wide range of people. Aspiring writers looking to improve their skills will love these courses. Professionals in many industries can also improve their writing skills for project proposals, reports, marketing content and campaign storytelling.
For those looking for a creative outlet Creative Writing NZ is a great opportunity to try out different genres and literary techniques. We provide the tools and guidance to express your creative ideas whether through poetry, fiction or short stories.
Also, online courses are perfect for those who want to transition into a writing career. We cover topics from children’s literature to novel creation, so there’s something for everyone to explore their creativity.
Online Creative Writing Courses
Online creative writing courses offer the flexibility and convenience many writers need in today’s fast-paced world. These courses come in different formats to suit different interests and skill levels so you can work at your own pace and from anywhere. Whether you want to write fiction, short stories or poetry, there’s an online course for you. One of the benefits of online writing courses is the personal guidance from published authors. Our courses offer one one-on-one mentoring, with feedback and support to help you develop your manuscript or anthology. Whether you write for personal pleasure or to get published these courses will help you achieve your goals.
Now let’s get into the specifics.
Creative Writing Level 2
The Creative Writing Level 2 course is for those who have a basic understanding of writing and want to improve their skills further. This course is a bridge between beginner and experienced writing skills, giving you the opportunity to hone your techniques and deepen your understanding of the craft.
You’ll do writing exercises and receive feedback, and leave the course with improved skills in writing short fiction and a deeper understanding of genres and narrative structures.
Novel Writing
Aspiring novelists will love the Novel Writing course. You’ll learn how to bring your ideas to life with guidance from an experienced tutor and structured course materials. There’s plenty of inspiration to be found on this course.
Poetry Writing
Led by Mark Prisco, the Poetry Writing course delves deeply into the craft of writing poetry. You’ll learn about different poetic forms and techniques and enhance your creative expression and understanding of the art.
Short Story Course
The Short Story course focuses on developing characters and shaping narrative structures, key skills for any new writer. This includes exercises to help you develop a daily writing habit and character development. You’ll learn how to craft short fiction with guidance from published writers.
Memoir Writing Course
The Memoir Writing course offers a space for writers to explore their personal histories and the memoir market. This course will help you craft personal narratives and structure your stories while maintaining authenticity. The 6-week Intermediate Memoir Course covers various writing techniques including characterisation, narrative structure and setting memoirs.
This course will give you valuable insights into the memoir genre and equip you with the skills to write personal stories and navigate the publishing landscape. By the end of the course, you’ll have a well-structured memoir.
Writing For Young People Course
Writing for Young People requires a unique approach, and this course is designed to help writers develop age-appropriate narratives and unique voices. It’s about finding your voice and creating stories that resonate with young readers. Students are taught to create characters and narratives for different age groups, from easy books to more complex stories for older kids. This age-appropriate storytelling means the content is fun and educational for young readers.
Completing the Writing For Young People course will give you the skills to write stories for the next generation of readers.
Meet Your Tutors
The tutors at Creative Writing NZ are a talented team of published authors with impressive credentials and achievements. Some of the tutors include Kelly Ana Morey, Nikki Sheehan, Jessica Miller, Abby Connolly, Kerry Hadley-Pryce and Helen Jukes who have won literary awards and competitions. Their combined experience and expertise will give you individual guidance and inspiration.
Key Skills and Topics Covered in Creative Writing Courses
Story Structure and Plot Development
- Learn how to construct a well-organised story with a clear beginning, middle and end. Understand pacing and how to build tension and resolution.
Character Development and Dialogue
- Master the art of creating characters who are compelling and writing dialogue that drives your story forward.
Writing Styles and Genres
- Try different writing styles and genres, short stories, poetry and creative non-fiction to find your unique voice and preferred medium.
Writing for Different Audiences
- Write for different audiences and purposes, whether you’re writing a children’s book, writing for publication or creating content for a specific demographic.
Editing and Revising
- Develop the skills to edit and revise your work so it’s polished and publishable.
Developing a Writing Routine
- Learn how to establish a writing routine and overcome common obstacles like writer’s block.
These skills and topics are essential for any writer who wants to improve their craft and achieve their writing goals.
Why Study Creative Writing in NZ?
Studying creative writing in New Zealand has many benefits. Online courses are designed to give you individual attention and direct guidance from experienced tutors, a supportive community that fosters creativity through constructive feedback. This community is invaluable for aspiring writers, a space to share ideas and grow together.
Creative writing is a therapeutic outlet for personal reflection and growth. Completing these courses will give you self-awareness as a writer and improve your critical thinking about your craft. Memoir writing courses in particular will have you delve into your personal history and the memoir market. Overall the benefits of studying creative writing in NZ are huge.
Job Opportunities After Completing a Creative Writing Course
An online creative writing course can open doors to many opportunities. With a creative writing background, you could become a content manager, editor or social media writer. These roles allow you to use your writing skills in different professional settings, contributing to marketing, communication and content creation.
Freelance writing becomes a viable career option. A creative writing course gives you the skills to tackle many projects, from articles and blog posts to marketing content and technical documentation.
Choosing the Right Course For You
Choosing the right creative writing course means considering your learning style and goals. Evaluate a course by how much time it gives you for personal writing practice and understand the broader context of writing.
Courses that focus on short fiction techniques including character and plot development are good for those interested in short story writing.
Understand these factors and you’ll choose a course that suits your aspirations.
Upcoming Courses
Creative Writing NZ has several exciting online courses in the coming months. In March, Poetry and Advanced Poetry courses begin on March 4, 2025, followed by the Start Writing course on March 11, 2025.
The 6-week Creative Non-Fiction course also starts 4 March, 2025 for those interested in this creative approach. These courses offer excellent opportunities to develop your writing skills and connect with professional writers.
Tips for Successfully Completing an Online Creative Writing Course
Set a Writing Schedule
- Online courses offer flexibility but setting aside dedicated time each week will help you stay on track. Treat your writing practice like an appointment you can’t miss.
Create a Distraction Free Workspace
- Find a quiet and comfortable space to write where you can focus. Turn off notifications and minimise distractions to make the most of your writing time.
Apply What You Learn Immediately
- Put new techniques into practice as soon as you learn them. Whether it’s a writing prompt, a character development exercise or editing tips, apply what you learn. Feedback can be daunting but it’s essential to improving your writing. Embrace constructive criticism and be willing to revise your work to develop your skills.
Set Realistic Goals and Track Progress
- Define what you want to achieve by the end of the course—whether it’s completing a short story, developing a novel outline or improving dialogue skills. Track your progress to stay motivated.
Balance Learning with Writing Practice
- While learning course material is important, spending too much time on lessons without writing can hold you back. Make sure you’re actively writing and applying lessons not just studying them.
Use Additional Resources
- Supplement your learning with books, podcasts and writing blogs. Explore these to go deeper with your skills development.
Celebrate Your Achievements
- Acknowledge your progress no matter how small. Completing an assignment, getting positive feedback or simply finishing a tough piece is worth celebrating!
Summary
In summary, Creative Writing NZ has many creative writing courses to suit everyone’s interests and skill levels. We offer flexibility, one-on-one guidance and hands-on learning—something for every budding writer. The benefits of studying creative writing in NZ are huge—skills, personal reflection and a community.
We encourage you to take the next step in your writing journey and enrol in a course that suits your interests and goals. With the guidance of published tutors and the inspiration of New Zealand’s beautiful landscape you can achieve your writing goals and bring your ideas to life.
FAQs
What types of creative writing courses are available?
Creative Writing NZ has a range of creative writing courses covering fiction, poetry, short story writing, novel writing and memoir writing to suit all levels of writers. This means every budding writer can find a course that suits them.
How long are they?
Our online creative writing courses are 6 weeks long so you can learn at your own pace from anywhere.
How much time should you allocate?
Our courses are flexible and you can work on the exercises at your own pace. However we recommend setting aside at least 2 hours a week to work on the course material and exercises.
What career opportunities are available after completion?
After completing a creative writing course you’ll have career opportunities within the writing industry—freelance writing, content creation and roles in publishing, editing and social media.
What are the benefits of Creative Writing NZ?
One of our creative writing courses gives you personalised feedback from published authors, a community of writers and self-awareness and critical thinking.
How do I choose the right one for me?
When choosing the right course prioritise flexibility and what aligns with your interests. Online courses are convenient and you can learn at your own pace so they fit into your schedule and you can manage your writing. Choose a course that lets you tailor your learning to your goals and passions.
Start your writing journey today!