With everything that is currently going on in the world, I just wanted to remind you about a wonderful writing resource available out there.  They currently have an offer on, to support us during Covid-19. Buy an All-Access Pass and get one free for a friend 🙂

So, MasterClass…

This is definitely a resource you want to check out if you are an aspiring writer or even a published author.

 

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Today I just wanted to touch on my top picks from the writing MasterClass options. While there are many areas to study from on the MasterClass platform – my interest – and probably yours, is “Writing”.

 

So, here are my top picks and recommendations for Creative Writing Classes from MasterClass, and yes, they are definitely worth it!

 

1. Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling MasterClass

I am so excited about this class! As soon as it came out, I was incredibly excited. Neil Gaiman is my all-time favourite author. He writes awesome modern/contemporary fantasy (basically urban fantasy), with a more literary style. I’ve always found him so witty and inspiring, and have always chased after his teachings and his instruction on writing, but have always found them so elusive.

So when MasterClass finally released a class featuring Neil Gaiman as a teacher, I was couldn’t believe it!

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to take the class yet. I’m already taking a couple of Holly Lisle classes, plus I’ve been busy with my fantasy writing prompts book (which is coming out next week) and writing my YA fantasy series, that I haven’t had a chance to try this his class yet.

 

But even though I haven’t yet taken the class, I’ve heard only excellent feedback on it.

With the world in chaos right now, with so many of us stuck at home in insolation and quarantine, there is an opportunity to try to distract ourselves and to do something creative. To Write and Study. That is if you have the time (away from kids especially) and some spare cash to do it.

 

But:

Now, the caveat is: this class, and all the other MasterClass writing classes, are not complete writing courses. They cannot give you all the tools you need to write a novel or help you to build your writing career. But they do provide valuable insight and guidance from masters in the writing genre. If you go into these classes knowing this, you won’t be disappointed.

The price tag is a little on the hefty side, especially for a single class. And I guess this is why the yearly all-access pass price is so attractive. You get access to all the classes for the price of two.

My goal is to grab an all-access pass and work my way through all of the writing classes, and then try out some of the other classes, such as the Gordon Ramsay class on cooking and the Judd Apatow class on comedy.

 

But back to my recommended list…

2. Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing MasterClass

 

I just love Margaret Atwood – she is another one of my favourite authors, especially since her more recent fiction is a nice blend of sci-fi (dystopian) and literary fiction. This would be my ideal genre to write in… if I could pull if of… which I can’t 🙁

More insights from a master writer! If you are a fan or a literary writer, I urge you to go check out this class.

I haven’t taken this class yet, but I did source feedback for a review I posted a while back. You can check out the review here: Margaret Atwood MasterClass Review.

 

3. Joyce Carol Oates Short Story MasterClass

Now this one is really in my top 3 to take. I can’t believe I even missed its release, as Joyce Carol Oates is truly a master short story writer. I am very excited to take this class! If anyone has tried it yet, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it below:) Now that I’ve realised it’s available, I’m not sure which to take first – the Gaiman one or this one :/

 

4. R. L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences MasterClass

This is another on my list to take. I was a big, big fan of the young adult thrillers I devoured in my early teens, especially those Point Horrors from the ’90s…. and a lot of those books were written by R.L. Stine…

Do you remember them?

Some of my favourites were Blind Date and The Babysitter. I never really got to read his later Goosebumps series. By the time it came out, I definitely wasn’t reading middle grade, and had moved onto more young adult fantasy novels.

This class is a great option for those of you into thriller, horror, and middle grade and young adult fiction. Expect to get excellent tips from an excellent genre writer.

 

What You’ll Get From a Writing MasterClass:

Who’s This Class For? These classes are perfect for all writers. They give advice for the novice, aspiring writer, and also tips for the more seasoned writer.

Format: The lessons come in video format – so you’ll need good internet access, and usually include about 4 hours of video content. Typically, there about 20 lessons, approximately 10 minutes long. There are also accompanying worksheets and other information, depending on which class you choose.

Summary Lessons: Lessons range, but you can expect to get some excellent content. The different authors deal out their own individual wisdom and tips, and the respective lessons reflect that. Gaiman gives you his take on the art of storytelling. Stine gives you the art of plot and outlining for kids and young adults. Atwood gives you her advice on writing speculative fiction. Joyce Carol Oates shares her wisdom on writing the short story. You get the idea 🙂

What You Get: You get advice and information from masters in the writing genre. These can’t be beaten, and often you can’t find the information anywhere else. Trust me – I’ve tried – especially with Neil Gaiman and his tips on writing.

Cost: The price of one class is US$90. The best deal is to purchase the All-Access Pass at US$180 a year, which you pay annually. This way you get access to ALL the classes, the writing ones, plus everything else for 1 year, so if you have interests other than writing then this is a nice bonus.

Duration: About 4 hours, which you can complete in a day, or over a week, or however long you want. If you buy the single class, you’ll have lifetime access to it. If you buy the all-access plan, then you have access for 12 months, after which you can subscribe for another year.

Cancellation Policy: MasterClass has an excellent cancellation policy; a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.

 

 

Other Options for a Bulkier Writing Class:

But what if you’re after something a bit heftier? If you are looking for something in a decent price range, but want something more substantial in the craft area, I recommend Holly Lisle’s writing classes. Her big classes are weekly lessons over a period of months, rather than the 4 hours of video training MasterClass gives you.

But, as you can see, they are just a different type of class, and either Holly’s or a MasterClass might be right for you depending on where you are on your writing journey.

Holly’s big classes have a hefty price tag, and she also has smaller classes that are about 8 weeks long.  One of these is How to Write Short Stories, and has a similar price tag to MasterClass – just something to think about…

 

Well…

I urge you to get online and have a look. This is a tough time in our world at the moment, and anything we can do to stay positive and in the moment is good for our physical and mental health. And, if you have the funds, check out the All-Access Pass. It is an interesting option, especially since you can do a whole range of other classes in different areas.

Above are my 4 top picks from MasterClass in the writing arena. But there are so many more to choose from, including:

• Aaron Sorkin
• Malcolm Gladwell
• James Patterson
• Dan Brown
• David Sedaris
• Billy Collins
• David Mamet
• David Baldacci
• Judy Blume

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Click Here To Learn More

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I hope this sheds some light on what’s currently available from MasterClass. In my opinion, they are well worth the money, as long as you take the classes with the right expectations 🙂

Are you planning on getting one of the classes soon? Or have you already taken one? I’d love to hear your feedback on any of the classes (and especially the Joyce Carol Oates and R.L. Stine ones 🙂 ).

 

Stay safe, and happy writing!

 

Erica

 

 

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