The Writing Class That Actually Makes You Better (And Others Worth Checking Out Too)
Let’s be honest.
There are approximately 74,000 writing courses online right now. Probably more. Everyone’s promising to “elevate your skills” or “unlock your inner writer” — but half the time, you end up watching awkward pre-recorded videos, zoning out, and questioning your life choices by module 3.
Been there.
So this post isn’t just a list. It’s a filter. A handpicked breakdown of writing courses that actually help — whether you’re a total beginner, a stuck-in-a-creative-funk novelist, or someone trying to finally finish the thing you started 2 years ago.
Because yes, you can keep scrolling Instagram for “writing inspiration.”
Or… you could finally commit to leveling up. On your own terms.
1. Why Take a Writing Class Anyway?
No shade to the self-taught crowd (hi, hello, I’m with you), but here’s the thing:
Good writing isn’t just talent. It’s technique.
It’s reps. It’s feedback. It’s knowing when to break a rule — and why.
Courses can:
- Give you structure so you stop flailing
- Teach you tools you didn’t know you needed
- Help you write faster, clearer, and with more confidence
- Remind you you’re not alone in this weird writer journey
Plus, committing to a class (even a short one) can kickstart your momentum when you’re stuck in “I’ll write tomorrow” land.
2. The Best Writing Courses Right Now (I Did the Digging So You Don’t Have To)
Here’s a mix of courses I’ve tested, stalked, or heard consistently good things about. Not sponsored. Not fluff. Just solid value.
✍️ 1. Writing With Flair – Shani Raja (Udemy)
Best for: Business writers, professionals, anyone who wants clean, polished, non-boring writing.
Why it’s great: Teaches elegance and precision without sounding like a snob. You’ll rethink every sentence you write — in a good way.
Access: Available via Udemy (often discounted).
📚 2. The Creative Writing Specialization – Wesleyan University (Coursera)
Best for: Beginners or returners who want a college-style intro without the college debt.
Why it’s great: Covers everything from plot to point of view to polishing. Includes peer-reviewed assignments so you actually write.
Access: Free to audit with optional certificate upgrade.
💡 3. MasterClass – Roxane Gay / Margaret Atwood / David Sedaris
Best for: Writers looking to refine their voice, experiment with form, or get unstuck with honesty.
Why it’s great: These classes feel like intimate, practical lectures from writers who’ve carved out bold paths. Less fluff, more “here’s how I actually do it.”
Access: Go to Masterclass, a subscription-based platform with multiple writing classes.
🔥 4. The 90-Day Novel – Alan Watt (Book + Coaching Program)
Best for: Novelists ready to stop tinkering and start finishing.
Why it’s great: Structured but soulful. Gets deep into story architecture without being robotic.
Access: Book available online; coaching option available via author’s site.
🧠5. Write of Passage – David Perell
Best for: Writers building an online presence or writing for the internet.
Why it’s great: Focuses on writing to be seen, shared, and remembered.
Access: Cohort-based course with application.
3. Real Writers, Real Results
“Writing With Flair made me rethink how I wrote emails. My boss noticed. My clients noticed. Honestly, I noticed.”
– Marketing Manager, Seoul
“I thought online writing courses would be dry. But Coursera’s Creative Writing track made me fall in love with fiction again.”
– Aspiring Author, Toronto
“I started watching MasterClass to feel inspired — now I steal structure ideas from Roxane Gay while stirring soup.”
– Freelance Writer, Berlin
“I used the 90-Day Novel to actually finish a first draft. It wasn’t perfect, but it existed. That was the win.”
– Self-Published Author, Melbourne
4. So... Should You Take a Writing Course?
Here’s the honest answer: Only if you’re ready to show up for it.
No course can write your book for you. But the right one?
It can shift your mindset. Clean up your messy drafts. Give you tools. Help you find your rhythm again.
If you:
- Procrastinate even though you love writing
- Feel stuck or stagnant
- Want real structure or feedback
- Just miss learning...
Then yeah. It might be time.
✏️ Quick Tips Before You Enroll
- Pick ONE course. Don’t hoard. Don’t stack 10 tabs and do none of them.
- Commit to the first 3 modules. If you hate it, move on. But give it a chance.
- Don’t just watch — write. Take notes. Do the exercises.
- Join the discussion/forum/group. Accountability changes everything.
Final Thought
You don’t need a writing course to call yourself a writer.
But if you’ve been circling the same draft for months, or doubting your own words more than usual… maybe a little structure, support, and skill-building is exactly what your creative brain needs right now.
It’s not about being the best. It’s about getting better.
Go on. Sign up. Then actually write something.
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