Last Updated on September 15, 2022
Creative writing skill is a valuable choice for anyone willing to impact the world through writing. It is usually the first step for aspiring content writers and authors as it involves using imagination, creativity, and story to express a particular idea or message.
A degree from some of the top creative writing schools around the world can really work on improving excellent writing skills and other forms of academic writing. In this article, we shall discuss a list of the best creative writing schools in the world recommended for aspiring creative writers. Before we consider listings these schools, let’s first understand what creative writing is about.
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What Is Creative Writing?
As the name implies, creative writing is the act of putting your imagination and creative thoughts into written words. Originally, creative writing is a form of expressing ideas and thoughts in an imaginative way. It as well has to do with fiction or poetry, which portrays imagination or invention.
Creative writing is such a broad topic classified under different types. The different types of creative writing are seen in these writing categories such as epics, poems, novels, screenplays, songs, short stories, and television scripts.
To understanding the techniques of creative writing, the points listed below may be helpful to start with even before enrolling in one of the best creative writing schools in the world.
Simple Tips And Techniques To Develop In Creative Writing
Creative writing from the beginning may seem very simple and at the same time a bit technical or intimidating. Understanding the tips and techniques of writing as a beginner will help you develop into a good writer, some of which include the following:
- Be an Ardent Reader:
Reading always especially all types of writing can spark ideas in your own imagination. The more you read, the more you get to discover and understand the various patterns of writing from other peoples work.
- Have an Idea Book
At any moment, one could get inspiration or ideas while writing. At this point, being prepared with a notebook dedicated to ideas or even a notes app on your phone is a good skill to adopt in writing. Furthermore, it is as well important to write down some ideas you get from periodically browsing as some of these unrelated ideas may be combined with others to spark a new piece of writing.
- Write Out Your Story First Before Revising
If you have an idea for a story, begin writing without editing as you go. Just let the ideas flow out of your mind. After the story is out of your head, then you can consider revising it.
- Read Your Work
Even after you’ve written out all your ideas, read your work out loud to hear how it sounds. See which scenes jump out at you. Remember which bits of dialogue are particularly powerful.
- Proofread and Edit
When you’re done, proofread and edit any fluffy part of the story. Even though your work is meant to be creative and original, it should still follow standard writing rules.
Now that you’ve discovered some tips and techniques that are essential in becoming a good writer, having a creative writing degree from the best creative writing schools in the world is much more essential as it opens you to know more about writing. Down listed are some of the top creative writing institutions in the world.
List of Creative Writing Schools
Below are some of the best creative writing schools to consider for admission in 2023.
1. Northwestern University (NU)
Northwestern University is a 4-year private research university located in Evanston, Illinois in the Chicago land Area. NU has an excellent academic reputation which it stands by it. The English Department of Northwestern University offers some of the best creative writing programs tailored to produce the most outstanding writers. This institution has acclaimed professors and a consistently good record of turning out successful writers (including Divergent author Veronica Roth and short-story writer Karen Russell) and is highly recognized for being the best creative writing school in the world. This institution also homes a top journalism program which provides several opportunities for students who want to try their hand at nonfiction as well.
In addition to the school’s academic facilities, the NU campus features the Shakespeare Garden and Dearborn Observatory. To escape the rigors of academia, universities’ location in the town of Evanston offers access to theatres, coffee shops, and other wonderful parts of the city of Chicago.
2. Columbia University
Columbia University homes a world-class creative writing program and a top journalism institution in addition to a prestigious English department in the country and the world at large. Students here are provided with a wide range of writing-related course options. Nestled in the city of New York City, Columbia University has so much to benefit from due to its suitable location in the city, some of which include publishing houses, literary journals, and renowned writers. This institution offers a top-ranked graduate MFA program in creative writing and an undergraduate program that enables students to pursue their careers under the serious supervision of an outstanding faculty. This school literary engages students in rigorous writing workshops at all levels in fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, dramatic writing, screenwriting, and seminars organized solely for creative writing students.
3. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public research university in Iowa City and as well the oldest and largest university in the United States. Amongst the best creative writing schools in the world, the University of Iowa’s source of attraction is the infrastructure of its graduate Writers’ Workshop, which is often considered the best MFA program in the country. It offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Creative Writing, as well as a Literary Publishing Track. As an English and Creative Writing major here, you’ll get to choose from a wide range of topics and take tutor from talented writers and established professors in their field. It is a fantastic place to go to gain a higher education as a writer.
4. Emory University
Emory University is a liberal arts university placed neatly just outside of Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, with a second campus in Oxford. This institution is renowned for its dedicated undergraduate creative writing program, which attracts the very best visiting scholars and writers. Here, students also have the opportunity of attending special sessions with award-winning authors and as well compete for scholarships and writing awards. Emory has a large, beautiful campus with modern facilities conducive enough to get the best out of the liberal education. It is a perfect place for students who appreciate creative writing.
5. Oberlin College
Being a small liberal arts school in Ohio, Oberlin offers undergraduates the rare opportunity to major in creative writing as an independent discipline in its own right which. This school provides an intense and rigorous course of study with instruction, studio training, and coursework in a variety of genres that include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translation, drama, screenwriting, and hybrid forms. This college program encourages work across disciplines and prepares students for a range of careers both within and beyond the literary world.
6. Hamilton College
Hamilton is another prestigious institution and one of the best creative writing schools in the world, located in central New York State. The Hamilton College’s Literature and Creative Writing Department offers a creative writing curriculum that takes full advantage of small classes and lots of opportunities to intern and it also has one of the best writing centers in the country. Both inside and outside the classroom, Hamilton’s open curriculum gives students the freedom to follow their interests as they study broadly across the liberal arts. The school’s location provides students with access to some publishing industry across the city.
7. Brown University
Brown University is a private Ivy League research institution Located in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown’s Literary Arts program offers one of the top Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) programs in the literary arts in the US, as well as an undergraduate major. For the major, students must usually take four creative writing workshops and six reading-intensive courses, which cover an array of departments and topics, from music and literature to Middle East studies and Egyptology. Students here have the opportunity of focusing on three tracks for the MFA program such as poetry, fiction, and digital/cross-disciplinary writing programs.
8. Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university that has an excellent creative writing MFA program, lots of super specific class options, and a number of scholarships specifically allocated for creative writing students. This institution’s undergraduate English program as well offers a concentration in creative writing that enables students to specialize in a specific genre: poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Washington University could be a great place to consider if you’re interested in exploring your potential in a specific writing genre.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
This top institution located in Cambridge ranks one of the best creative writing schools in the world for providing an excellent program that offers courses in digital media and science writing, as well as creative writing, although it has several unique classes in science writing in particular. MIT is well equipped to provide several teachings on how graduates can navigate the tricky job market. It is a great place for aspiring writers who want to build writing skills that are profitable in a wide range of industries. MIT offers several different writing genres but has several unique classes in science writing in particular.
10. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a highly rated public research school located in Ann Arbor Michigan. It is one of the top state universities in the country and has a standard MFA program. This school’s creative writing sub-concentration for undergraduates requires students to submit applications for admittance to advanced creative writing courses. The program at the University of Michigan is by far the cheapest compared to other top universities mentioned in this article. It is the right place to go if you are looking for premier education in creative writing.
Conclusion
Creative writing is considered one of the most innovative skills that require lot of ethical thinking. It is quite possible to become a good writer through developing your own skill over the years, but obtaining a degree in creative writing will help you understand and learn various skills and tactics of writing, as you get to learn from professionals and acclaimed writers. From the above list of best creative writing schools in the world, hope you’ll make a great choice and get started.