Introduction to creative writing
A course by Mónica Lavín, Writer
Develop short stories from a germinal idea, exploring narratives and creative literary techniques for aspiring writers
Discover the art of literary creation through the short story. Learn to transform a seed of an idea into a complete story, exploring the beginning and the end as essential elements. Become an observer of the creative process, dissecting other authors' stories to understand their narrative choices. This experience will allow you to experiment with different approaches and styles, from conventional storytelling to exploring alternative narrative vehicles, such as letters or diaries.
Develop your storytelling skills through practical exercises that will help you structure plots, define characters, and create atmosphere. The process will guide you through exploring the climax, ensuring your story maintains the necessary tension. With simple tools like a notebook and a cup of coffee, delve into the world of creative writing. By the end, you'll have created a story in different formats, choosing the one that best conveys your vision. Reading aloud will allow you to fine-tune details for a smooth and effective narrative. Prepare to spread your literary wings and take your stories to new horizons.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 19 downloads
What's included in this course?
Discover the fascinating world of creative writing through the short story. You'll learn to transform nascent ideas into captivating narratives that grab the reader from the very first page. You'll explore how to choose the right narrator, establish the tone, and create a conflict that maintains tension until the climax. Through short story analysis, you'll unravel the decisions authors make to bring their stories to life. Furthermore, you'll write a short story in two versions, experimenting with different narrative devices to find the most effective way to tell your story.
You'll develop skills to create memorable characters and atmospheres that feel real. Through practical exercises, you'll immerse yourself in the writing process, experimenting with the senses to enrich your narrative. You'll also learn to craft compelling titles and consider presenting your story in alternative formats, such as letters or diaries. By the end, you'll be able to critically read your own work, refining it into a piece that resonates with the reader. With these tools, you'll be ready to spread your wings in the world of writing.
- 100% positive reviews (9)
- 510 students
- 14 lessons (2h 7m)
- 19 additional resources (5 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
You will develop a short story from a seed of an idea, experimenting with different narrative forms. You will learn to structure the beginning and the end, exploring the possibilities of narration and the use of different literary devices.
Who is this online course for?
People with a passion for storytelling, interested in exploring creative writing. Writers seeking new narrative techniques, enthusiasts who want to transform ideas into short stories. Literature lovers who enjoy the creative process and want to learn to narrate with emotion and precision.
Requirements and materials
No extensive prior knowledge is required, just the desire to write. You will need a workbook, provided story readings, and some inspiring images. Creativity and curiosity are your best allies during the learning process.
Reviews
Mónica Lavín
A course by Mónica Lavín
Mónica Lavín is a Mexican writer specializing in short stories and novels, with a solid track record in teaching creative writing. She has published more than ten books of short stories and ten novels, including Ruby Tuesday Hasn't Died, a work for which she received the Gilberto Owen National Literature Prize. Her narrative perspective, influenced by her training as a biologist, stands out for its precision, structure, and the suggestive power of the short story.
For more than twenty years, she was a research professor in the Bachelor's Degree in Literary Creation at the Autonomous University of Mexico City. She has conducted workshops and courses in Mexico and other countries and is the author of It's Pure Story, a guide to writing stories. Throughout her career, she has been recognized with various awards, including the Sinaloa Letters Prize and the Chronicle Prize in the Culture category for her career.
Among her most recent publications are the stories collected in The Wild Side (Tusquets, 2024) and the novel The Absence (Planeta, 2025). Her work combines narrative practice with reflection on genres, establishing her as a key voice in contemporary Spanish literature.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
The story and the tales
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The guidelines for story 1
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The guidelines for story 2
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To unravel a story
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Story triggers
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U3
From idea to story
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Choosing the story for the tale
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The start is everything (or almost)
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How will the story end?
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The structure
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The development of the story
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U4
The possibilities of the story
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Powerful prose
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To get the story ready
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Disguising the story
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to creative writing
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
The course is intermediate level, perfect for those with basic writing knowledge who want to deepen their understanding of short story techniques and structure.
You only need basic writing skills, an interest in short fiction, and a notebook for ideas. No special tools or software are required.
You’ll learn how to analyze and write literary short stories, create characters, build atmosphere, plan narrative structures, and refine your style using techniques from classic and contemporary authors.
The course covers the structure, techniques, and creative processes of the literary short story, analyzing examples from notable authors and guiding you on how to write impactful short narratives.
The course explains that a short story focuses on a single event, synthesis, and effect, while a novel allows for more plot and character development. It explores the challenges and joys of both forms.
Techniques taught include the unity of effect, iceberg theory, climax management, and strategic use of the narrator to build tension and intensity in short stories.
You’ll learn to create characters through symbolic actions, memories, and precise details, drawing inspiration from authors like Chekhov and Carver to craft realistic and compelling figures.
muy buen curso. Me gusta mucho las formas de presentar el proyecto y cómo explica los aspectos teóricos del curso. Muchas gracias Mónica Lavìn
¡Es un curso increíble!
La experiencia de la docente como escritora aporta frescura a sus orientaciones para iniciarse en el género del cuento: explica cuestiones teóricas de forma sencilla y con ejemplos propios; el orden del curso te permite seguir un proceso lógico en el descubrimiento de tu proceso de aprendizaje creativo y sus ideas para que empieces a recopilar chispas de inspiración y te inicies rápidamente en la práctica han conseguido motivarme muchísimo a seguir con mi escritura.
Excelente curso.
Course lessons and excercises were helpful in providing structure to write a short story; the segments where the instructor goes word by word through her draft is less helpful. The audio and text translation can be difficult as well. Not sure I would take another course from this particular instructor.
¡Terminé el curso! La profesora me resultó muy inspiradora y, gracias a su metodología, conseguí finalizar mi cuento. El curso es realmente valioso y ojalá Domestika la vuelva a convocar con nuevas ediciones.
Aún no he subido mis actividades, pero documentaré lo que fui realizando para poder participar en los foros. Un abrazo enorme a la profesora y mis mas sinceras felicitaciones, el curso es estupendo.