Best Free Writing Classes

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Get Working on Your Dream of Becoming a Successful Writer with Free Writing Classes Online!

Writing a novel is on my "bucket list" but I don't have time to sit in a traditional writing class. What I needed to find was the best free writing classes online to get started writing a book.

I have created this interactive lens with the hope you can help me, and in turn help other aspiring writers and novelists, find the best free writing classes online.

Please take a moment to add and/or vote for your favourite free writing classes. I've already added mine. Want to know when I added a new one? I will let you know through Facebook so send me a friend request at my Facebook page.

Let's start a community of aspiring writers who are learning from free writing classes online! Share progress reports for your new book. Join our "Aspiring Writers" Book Club. Watch videos of best selling writers giving you tips! Check out a writer's bookshelf. Come on, I know you've got a book in you and you want novel writing made easy for once!

Photo by a_drian at Flickr. Photo requiring attribution and no derivative works.

Why We Need Free Writing Classes

Inside the Process | Learn from the Best

Photo by Markus Rödder from Flickr. Photo requiring attribution and no derivative works.

If you are like me, you want to understand exactly how writers do it. What strategies do they use to produce novels? How do they get going on books? Where do they find story starters? What do they do when they get stuck? What I want is a glimpse into the creative process. And, oh yeah, I want it to be free.

Writers aren't in the habit of letting you stare over their shoulders outside of the classroom. Or are they?

Free Writing Classes with a Pulitzer Prize Winner?

Without Ever Stepping Into a Classroom?

Photo by Max Klingensmith at Flickr. Photo requiring attribution and no derivative works.It's true! Robert Olen Butler is a professor from the English Department at Florida State University and author of ten novels and four collections of short stories. He's also a Pulitzer Prize winner. Enough said!

Butler lets you watch while he writes a short story real-time on the Internet. The sessions are archived and you can click the calendar and stream each video from the beginning. It's all here, from how he gets inspiration to the finished product. He offers commentary at the end of the segments. You can find Robert Olen Butler's on-line experiment by following the link I provide below.

The Best Free Writing Classes

Let's start building a list!

Give me your suggestion, a few words on why you loved it and the link!

  • kitcalder Apr 13, 2010 @ 1:50 pm | delete
    I've added my second recommendation. It's called Ian McMillan's Writing Lab and it's free online learning thanks to the Open University and the BBC. Be sure to check out the the "get writing" link on the right for the tips and tricks and also the "writer links" on the left for mp3 files of interviews. Be aware, the writing lab does have a "go further" option linking to courses at the OU. There is a fee associated with those courses but I feel there is enough on the writing lab site itself to keep you busy for a while!
  • d-artist Mar 28, 2010 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    nice informative lens...5*...looks like an interesting class...for sure I need it.
  • inkserotica Mar 28, 2010 @ 7:03 am | delete
    Just a quick note from a Squidoo Greeter! Unfortunately I don't have any links I could share :( Will favourite this lens so I can return if I can find any. 5*
  • kitcalder Mar 27, 2010 @ 2:52 pm | delete
    Here is the link to my first suggestion Florida State University's "Inside Creative Writing" with Robert Olen Butler can be found at this link! Enjoy
    http://www.fsu.edu/~butler/

Free Writing Classes | The List

Explore! Discover! But, Above All, Write!

You will find the growing list of links to the best free writing experiences on the web. If you want to make a recommendation, please use the guestbook above! Thanks.
Inside Creative Writing
This is my first recommendation and an all-time favourite.
BBC/OU Open2.net - Ian McMillan's Writing Lab
Tips and Tasks to help you improve your writing skills

Go Deeper! Recommended Reading

What You Should Read Now!

My first book suggestion will remain on the theme of Inside Creative Writing Class with Robert Olen Butler. Please feel free to suggest books that complement our Free Writing Class recommended reading list.
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Join the Aspiring Writers Book Club

We study one book on writing a month!

Flickr photo by Gibson Claire McGuire Regester requiring attribution and no derivsCome visit the Aspiring Writers Book ClubI

I'm looking for aspiring writers who want to take part in a book club! We read one writing book that will help build our writing skills per month. I'll be sending out monthly meeting reminders through Facebook so send me a friend request at my Facebook page.

Say "I'm a Writer" with Pride

Feel the Part While You Are Taking Free Writing Classes

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Top 10 Books for any Aspiring Novelist's Bookshelf

What Should Be On Your Bookshelf?

Flickr photo by zigwamp requiring attribution and no derivative works.Take a moment to look at this list of Top 10 Best Books for Aspiring Writers. Make a suggestion! I'll rank it!

The Aspiring Writer's Essential Link List

Take some time to explore the other lenses I created on the topic. They complement each other and they were designed to give you essential information to get you started on your novel today!
The Aspiring Writer Book Club | Books On Writing
I'm calling all aspiring writers, wanna-be novelists,and how-to book lovers. I'm looking for aspiring writers who want to take part in a book club! Let me know if you are interested in 'hosting' one meeting online: which means suggesting a book, sending out a 1 page summary, and leading an online discussions.
Books for Writers | Top 10 Books for Aspiring Writers
I am building the ultimate Top 10 list of books for aspiring writers. I encourage writers, whether new or seasoned, to leave their recommendations and to rank their favourites.If you are interested in building your writing muscles, you will find a 'must-have' collection of books on this lens.
Learn How to Write a Book
Have you always wanted to write a book but haven't even tried because you don't know where to start? Maybe you tried to start a novel but found the writing to be far more difficult that you'd imagined. Perhaps you attempted to write a novel draft but got bogged down in the middle of it.
What Does It Takes To Write a Book? | Learn from Famous Writers
This lens is dedicated to helping aspiring writers find inspiration from famous writers on the web. Check out some of these great places on the web to find famous writers talking about their craft and recommend others.Watch for a common theme to emerge.

by

kitcalder

My (user)name is Kit Calder. I help a charity share its story with the world. I've also been a freelance writer for about 15 years.
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