Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

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Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

This course is part of Creative Writing Specialization

Instructor: Amity Gaige

70,266 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,413 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,413 reviews

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

94%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Creative Writing Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to the techniques that masters of fiction use to ground a story in a concrete world. From the most realist settings to the most fantastical, writers will learn how to describe the physical world in sharp, sensory detail. We will also learn how to build credibility through research, and to use creative meditation exercises to deepen our own understanding of our story worlds, so that our readers can see all that we imagine.

Writing a great short story is like conveying a dream. As we will see from studying one famous master, a "persuasive" setting is necessary in order to build mood, character, and even plot.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 peer review

7 videosTotal 39 minutes

Why Do We Write?7 minutes
The Power of Persuasion4 minutes
Moving Through Time and Space4 minutes
Nothing Can Happen Nowhere9 minutes
Shop Talk with Brando Skyhorse11 minutes
Feedback Expectations for the Specialization2 minutes
Assignment Overview: Slow-Motion Moment1 minute

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

"The Power of Persuasion" by Mario Vargas Llosa10 minutes
"The Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D.H. Lawrence10 minutes
A Note on Assignments10 minutes
Promo Codes10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Slow Motion Moment60 minutes

Pack your fiction with "vitamin-rich" detail. Looking at the work of both masters and students, we will discuss how funny, meaningful, and powerful details can be.

What's included

4 videos3 readings1 peer review

4 videosTotal 25 minutes

What Is Significant Detail?6 minutes
"Things That Suck"4 minutes
Shop Talk with Salvatore Scibona14 minutes
Assignment Overview: Habitual Ritual1 minute

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Text of "How to Write About Africa" by Binyavanga Wainaina10 minutes
"How to Become a Writer" by Lorrie Moore10 minutes
"Forever Overhead" by David Foster Wallace10 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Habitual Ritual60 minutes

Create settings both familiar and unfamiliar to you, while avoiding common missteps. You will be guided through several meditation exercises as you practice "imaginative research".

What's included

4 videos1 peer review

Setting and description works in realist and non-realist fiction, as well as across literary genres. Consider how to write about your own "primal landscape".

What's included

4 videos1 peer review

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(240 ratings)

Amity Gaige

Wesleyan University

2 Courses72,847 learners

Offered by

Wesleyan University

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Reviewed on Jan 19, 2021

This was such a wonderful course. I got to learn a lot about strange lands, imaginative description etc. Generally how to set my world and describe it in a convincing manner. I totally recommend it.

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2023

This was course was incredibly fun and engaging to do; the skills I've gained are wide ranged, and the assignments and activities were surprisingly helpful in streamlining many of my existing skills.

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2018

Very fun and helpful, thank you so much for the opportunity and the financial Aid. I feel this entire specialization has been great, demanding and inspiring. See you in the next course c :

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Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.