Have you always wanted to write, but never quite had the courage to start? This free course, Start writing fiction, will give you an insight into how authors create their characters and settings. You will also be able to look at the different genres for fiction.
Whether you're already taking this free course on FutureLearn on a week by week basis or would like to take the same course on OpenLearn to fit in with your schedule, or course can fit in with your lifestyle and time. Before, during or after the course you may also like to view a variety of related content on OpenLearn, we've collated a range of free content to enable you to take your learning further, with more in-depth, free features - including activities and exercises, interviews with writers and relevant free courses to support your learning and give you a wider perspective on this fascinating subject.
You may also like to watch a video of Dr Derek Neale, senior lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University read from his short stoy 'Land of their Fathers' and tell us what inspires him to write in an interview.
Become an OU student of Creative Writing
Find out how Creative Writing is taught at The Open University. Want to read more about Creative Writing? These books may help: A215 Creative Writing Workbook (The Open University), A363 A Creative Writing Handbook (The Open University), Writing Poetry by W.N.Herbert (Routledge), Writing Across the World: Contemporary writers talk edited by Susheila Nasta (Routledge), A World of Difference: An anthology of short stories from five continents edited by Lynda Prescott (Palgrave MacMillan).
The Open University offers a range of degree courses and modules in English Literature and Creative Writing. We will also offer an MA in Creative Writing from 2016, as well as our existing Masters in English .
To find out more about our range of short courses starting from £160 visit our short courses page.
Not ready for that step? Take a look at our free OpenLearn courses on this subject.
Try more free creative writing courses
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Writing what you know
Do you want to improve your descriptive writing? This free course, Writing what you know, will help you to develop your perception of the world about you and enable you to see the familiar things in everyday life in a new light. You will also learn how authors use their own personal histories to form the basis of their work.
Learn moreWriting what you knowLevel: 1 Introductory
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Start writing plays
In this album, some of our current and most well-respected playwrights offer an insight into the mechanics and beauty of writing for the stage. Contributors include Alan Ayckbourn, David Edgar, Bryony Lavery and Willy Russell, who discuss their own work and the pleasures and pitfalls of crafting a script. All of the fundamental topics, from character and structure to dialogue and editing, are covered in detail in a series of entertaining and insightful interviews. This material forms part of The Open University course A176 Start writing plays.
Listen nowStart writing playsLevel: 1 Introductory
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Writing Poetry
Poetry is a delicate and intricate art form, practised by many people but rarely mastered. In this album, poets Jackie Kay, Paul Muldoon, W.N. Herbert and Jean Breeze talk about their respective approaches and attitudes to poetry. They explore many aspects of their craft, from the initial spark of inspiration and rewriting to more technical matters such as rhyme, using real speech and narrative poetry. This material forms part of the course A175, Writing poetry.
Listen nowWriting PoetryLevel: 1 Introductory
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Creative Writing
The tracks on this album offer an invaluable insight into a wide range of techniques and practices surrounding Creative Writing. Writers as diverse as Alan Ayckbourn, Ian McMillan and Tanika Gupta talk openly about their approaches and attitudes to all aspects of writing from original concept to final drafts and productions. Writing for stage, print, television and radio is discussed in engaging and articulate detail. This material forms part of The Open University course A363 Advanced creative writing.
Listen nowCreative WritingLevel: 1 Introductory
Free creative writing resources
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Writing tips: Write about what you know
Advice on becoming a writer: write about what you know, part of the BBC/OU's Writing Lab
Read nowWriting tips: Write about what you knowLevel: 1 Introductory
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Iain Banks talks writing, world events and Mastermind
Author Iain Banks talks to the OU's Derek Neale about the digitisation of books, his writing process, the impact of world events on his work and much more.
Watch nowIain Banks talks writing, world events and MastermindLevel: 1 Introductory
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Ian McMillan's Writing Lab interviews: Julian Barnes on... starting writing
A sense of a start: Julian Barnes shared how he set about starting the process of creating a book.
Listen nowIan McMillan's Writing Lab interviews: Julian Barnes on... starting writingLevel: 1 Introductory
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20th century authors: making the connections
Which writers were fast friends - and who had book-throwing beefs? Unpick the cliques and clans of 20th century literature
Take part now20th century authors: making the connectionsLevel: 1 Introductory
Dr Derek Neale reads from his short story
Interview with Derek Neale
Continue the conversation
The Start Writing Fiction Alumni Forum continues the insightful discussions and topical debates with other learners who studied the OU's free Start Writing Fiction course on FutureLearn.
We invite you to discuss this subject, but remember this is a public forum.
Please be polite, and avoid your passions turning into contempt for others. We may delete posts that are rude or aggressive; or edit posts containing contact details or links to other websites.