Last updated: July 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Creative writing spans fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, so the best starting point is a broad, well-taught course — The Complete Creative Writer: All Genres (4.6★, 5,500+ ratings) is the best value. For inspiration from a literary master, Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing on MasterClass is superb.
Creative writing is less about rules than about developing your voice and the judgment to use techniques well — which is why the best courses combine craft instruction with lots of prompts and practice. A broad course lets you explore genres before you specialise, and pairing it with a master's perspective raises what you think is possible. We have picked the strongest of each.
1. Best overall — The Complete Creative Writer: All Genres
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A genuinely comprehensive course that moves across fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction with plenty of exercises, so you build range as well as skill. At 4.6★ across more than 5,500 ratings it is both the highest-rated broad course and the best value for a developing writer.
Best for: writers who want to explore multiple genres and build craft. Worth knowing: breadth is the point — go deeper on your chosen genre afterward.
2. Best for inspiration — Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing (MasterClass)
Learning craft, character, and the discipline of writing from one of the great living novelists is a different kind of education. It is premium and more inspirational than instructional, but for lifting your sense of what writing can be, it is one of the best classes on MasterClass.
Best for: writers who want depth and inspiration from a literary master. Cost: MasterClass subscription; craft and inspiration over checklist.
3. Best approachable master — Judy Blume Teaches Writing (MasterClass)
Judy Blume's class is warm, practical, and especially good on character and writing for younger or broad audiences. At the more accessible end of MasterClass in tone, it is a lovely complement to a structured course if you want encouragement alongside craft.
Best for: writers who want approachable, character-focused guidance. Cost: MasterClass subscription.
creative writing courses compared
| Course | Best for | Rating | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Complete Creative Writer | All genres (best value) | 4.6 | Udemy |
| Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing | Literary inspiration | MC | MasterClass |
| Judy Blume Teaches Writing | Character / approachable | MC | MasterClass |
How to choose a creative writing course
Start broad, then specialise. A comprehensive multi-genre course helps you discover what you love writing before you commit, and it is the more efficient way to build core skills. Add a MasterClass when you want inspiration and to see how a master approaches the work. Above all, choose courses that make you write — prompts, exercises, and drafts — because creative writing improves through doing, not just watching. Free workshops and writing communities are a valuable, no-cost supplement.
What a creative writing course can (and cannot) give you
A course can teach technique, give you prompts, and expose you to how good writers think — all genuinely useful. What it cannot give you is voice, taste, or the reading habit that underpins good writing; those you build over years. Be wary of any course selling a fast track to publication or literary success. The writers who improve are the ones who keep writing and reading long after the course ends.
Related: our fiction writing courses, playwriting courses, and self-publishing courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best creative writing course?
For a broad, affordable grounding across genres, The Complete Creative Writer: All Genres (4.6 stars, 5,500+ ratings) is the best value. For inspiration from a literary master, Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing on MasterClass is superb.
Can you learn creative writing online?
Yes – technique, structure, and craft teach well online, and prompts and exercises translate perfectly to self-paced courses. The parts that need time – developing voice and taste, and the reading habit – are on you, but a course gives you the tools and momentum.
Is a creative writing course worth it?
A good one is worth it for learning technique efficiently and staying motivated. Just keep expectations realistic – courses build skill and inspiration, not guaranteed publication. Pair any course with consistent writing and wide reading.
Should I take a Udemy course or MasterClass for creative writing?
Udemy for structured, affordable, exercise-driven craft instruction; MasterClass for inspiration and a master’s perspective. Many writers benefit from both – a foundations course to build skills and a MasterClass to raise their ambition.