Creative Writing

Creative Writing on Breni is a path for anyone who wants to write fiction or poetry, whether for pleasure or to share their work. Its 8 courses cover starting to write, character, plot and structure, point of view and voice, setting and dialogue, poetry, short fiction, and editing and sharing. Learners finish able to build a character, outline a short story, write natural dialogue and revise a draft. Character comes before plot because stories grow from what people want, and each course unlocks after the previous one.

8 courses
12 learning objectives
Level: beginner
Language: English
Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

Keep a daily writing habit using prompts and a notebook
Create a character with a clear want, a flaw and an arc
Outline a short story using three-act structure
Write dialogue that is punctuated correctly and reveals character
Write a short poem using imagery and line breaks
Revise a draft from structure down to sentences

Full curriculum

Part 1 · Foundations

1. Starting to Write: Build a Daily Habit

Build a writing habit and find ideas worth writing. Units, in order: Why people write; Finding ideas; Keeping a writer's notebook; Writing without stopping to judge; Reading as a writer; Getting past writer's block.

— Why People Write
Discover your personal reasons for starting to write today.
- Finding Your Motivation
- Setting Simple Goals
— Finding Ideas
Learn how to spot good story ideas all around you.
- Observing Daily Life
- Asking What If
— The Writer Notebook
Start a notebook to collect words and sudden ideas safely.
- Choosing Your Notebook
- Saving Random Thoughts
— Writing Without Judgment
Turn off your inner critic to let words flow freely.
- Free Writing Fast
- Silencing Your Inner Critic
— Reading As A Writer
Read books closely to learn how other writers build stories.
- Noticing Author Choices
- Stealing Good Techniques
— Beating Writers Block
Use simple tricks to start writing when you feel stuck.
- Changing Your Routine
- Starting Very Small

2. Character

Create characters readers believe in. Units, in order: What a character wants; Flaws and contradictions; Showing character through action; Minor characters; Character arcs; Giving characters distinct voices.

3. Plot and Structure

Shape a story with a beginning, middle and end that hold attention. Units, in order: Conflict; Three-act structure; Scenes and sequels; Pacing; Endings; Weaving in a subplot.

Part 2 · Craft

4. Point of View and Voice

Choose who tells the story and how it sounds. Units, in order: First, second and third person; Close and distant narration; Finding your voice; Choosing a tense; Unreliable narrators.

5. Setting, Dialogue and Description

Bring scenes to life with place, speech and detail. Units, in order: Show, don't tell; Sensory detail; Writing dialogue; Dialogue punctuation; Setting as mood.

6. Poetry Basics

Write short poems using image, sound and form. Units, in order: Imagery; Line breaks; Rhythm and sound; Forms such as haiku and sonnet; Poems that do not rhyme; Reading poems aloud to hear rhythm.

Part 3 · Finishing work

7. Writing Short Fiction

Complete short pieces from first line to final draft. Units, in order: What flash fiction is; Starting in the middle of the action; Common short story shapes; Finishing a complete story in a week; Titles and first lines.

8. Editing and Sharing Your Writing

Revise a draft and share finished work. Units, in order: Revising the big picture first; Line editing; Getting and using feedback; Submitting to magazines and competitions; Building a writing routine.

Sample: Starting to Write: Build a Daily Habit

The opening tier, (Why People Write). Discover your personal reasons for starting to write today.

Finding Your Motivation

Explore why writing matters and what you want to share.

Setting Simple Goals

Set small writing goals to build a daily habit.

Questions about Creative Writing

Can creative writing be taught?

Yes. Talent helps, but craft skills such as structure, dialogue and editing can be learned and practised. Creative Writing on Breni teaches them one at a time.

Does the path cover fiction and poetry?

Yes. Most courses focus on fiction, and one full course covers poetry.

How do I start creative writing as a beginner?

Write a little every day and read as a writer. The first course shows how to find ideas and build that habit.

Will this help me get published?

The last course explains how to submit to magazines and competitions, but no course can promise publication.