Specialization
Creative Non-Fiction Writing Specialization
4
Teachers
Transform ideas into captivating stories using creative writing techniques and overcome writer's block through practice
Transform ideas into captivating stories using creative writing techniques and overcome writer's block through practice
4
Teachers
Specialization
·
6 modules
Master the craft of storytelling across multiple genres in this comprehensive writing program. Whether you're crafting fiction, memoirs, or creative nonfiction, you'll learn to turn compelling ideas into powerful narratives that resonate with readers.
Our expert instructors—including acclaimed authors Shaun Levin, Courtney Maum, Amy Irvine, Tom Bromley, and Kate Englebrecht—will guide you through essential techniques. You'll develop memorable characters, construct engaging plots, and discover your authentic voice. Learn to weave personal experiences into universal stories that capture readers' hearts and minds.
The program also equips you with practical industry knowledge. You'll learn to craft attention-grabbing book proposals, write effective query letters, and develop synopses that make your manuscript shine in today's competitive publishing landscape.
Perfect for both beginners and experienced writers looking to elevate their craft, this program provides the tools and guidance needed to bring your stories to life.
What will you learn in this specialization?
A total of 6 modules and 64 lessons
A total of 9h 22m of vídeo lessons
Taught by 4 selected expert teachers
Module 1
Introduction and Influences
Welcome to this Domestika Specialization course!
Join an incredible group of masters in this comprehensive specialization designed to unleash your storytelling potential. From creative writing and life writing to crafting personal memoirs, you’ll learn to transform your experiences and ideas into compelling narratives. Step by step, you’ll master techniques for engaging storytelling and even explore how to publish your work.
Get ready to share your voice with the world!
1
Introduction
2m
2
Influences / Shaun Levin
In this lesson, you will explore the key influences that shape Shaun Levin work, focusing on single books, entire bodies of work, and writers' lives. You’ll learn how Jack Kerouac, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jamaica Kincaid impacted Levin approach to storytelling, voice, and simplicity.
4m
3
Influences / Tom Bromley
Now, you'll het to know the influences on Tom Bromley journey, including Nick Hornby, Raymond Carver, and Keith Richards, focusing on voice, simplicity, and relatable themes.
7m
4
Influences / Julia Bell
It's time for you to know the influences os Julia Bell! During this lesson, she talks about how writers like John Berger, Virginia Woolf, Deborah Levy, and artists like Teju Cole and Vivian Maier inspire her creative nonfiction. You’ll learn to observe the world, find decisive moments, and use photographs, walks, and personal experiences to shape powerful, reflective writing.
13m
5
Influences / Courtney Maum
Deep dive in the influences of Courtney Maum. You'll explore how storytelling exists everywhere—in film, music, comedy, and writing. You’ll examine influences like Martin Amis, Samantha Irby, and Mira Jacob, focusing on the role of humor in addressing serious topics. You’ll also learn how she balance candid honesty with an appreciation for life’s absurdity.
3m
6
Influences / Courtney Maum
To finish this unit, you'll explore how humor and candidness influence Courtney Maum engaging nonfiction. Drawing from works like David Rees’ How to Sharpen Pencils and Lori Gottlieb’s Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, you’ll learn how she balance utility, raw honesty, and humor to connect deeply with readers while respecting your subject.
6m
Module 2
Creative Writing for Beginners: Bringing Your Story to Life
This module is designed to enhance you craft impactful stories by channeling your imagination into vivid, memorable narratives.
Guided by Shaun Levin, a seasoned author and creative writing teacher, you will explore practical exercises to sharpen your writer's voice and shape your unique personal narrative.
Through the gathering of ideas, scenes, and inspirations, you will discover how to turn fragments into compelling stories. Whether you're new to writing or seeking to refine your craft, this course will help you develop a complete written piece inspired by a subject you care deeply about.
1
Materials
Choosing a certain pen, pencil and notebook can influence when you write and what you write about. In this lesson, I’ll talk about the writer’s tools and how experimenting with a variety of notebooks, pens, and pencils can increase the types of stories you write.
6m
2
Techniques to Write Everywhere
In this lesson, I’ll talk about the importance of starting to write right now and show you how to use what’s around you to dive into writing. The great thing about being a writer is that you don’t need much: just a pen and a piece of paper. I’ll also talk about the risks of thinking too much about writing, and how the best way to learn how to write is to write, and just keep writing.
12m
3
Techniques to Approach a Single Subject
There are many ways to tell the same story, but only one that will be engaging and challenging to you. Here we’ll look at some of the techniques and choices you have as a writer when approaching a story, and I’ll show you a few techniques to help you experiment and find the best way to tell your story.
Using the few pieces of writing from Lesson 2, you’ll try out different techniques to tell a story.
17m
4
Techniques for Sketching with Words
Stories, like any work of art, are made, composed, and created. Here I’ll talk about approaching your story as an artistic creation, and demonstrate how to use great works of literature for “support.”
I’ll show you how to look for echoes and repetitions between elements of your story so that it works as a well-constructed piece of writing.
11m
5
When You Get Stuck
There’s no such thing as writer’s block. In this lesson, I’ll talk about how to avoid being overly-critical about your writing, use books as loyal companions, and show you ways to go deeper into your writing process.
7m
6
How to Look at a Strawberry
This is the lesson that will teach you most of what you need to know as a writer: observe closely, strive to find the precise words for what you see and feel, and take the time to notice small details. Writing is art and art takes time!
13m
7
The History of Your Feet
In this lesson, we’ll look at how to expand your story, brainstorm through writing, and use the act of writing as a space to explore, remember, and invent.
7m
8
What’s More Important, the Facts or the Story?
I’ll talk about approaching “the bigger picture” of your story, and about the importance of choosing the right perspective from which to tell your story.
6m
9
Our Final Story
Now that we have a first draft of the final project, we’ll explore ways to shape a story into its final form. We’ll look at the importance of a dynamic beginning, and I’ll talk about how to connect the start and end of a story.
3m
10
Editing and Rewriting
With writing, as in life, you have choices! Your first draft is the beginning of a journey to finding the final form of your story. Sentences can be reshaped and rewritten. In this lesson, I’ll talk about editing your work.
9m
11
Share Your Work with the World
Share your work, build an audience, and discover what resonates with others. Here I’ll talk about different ways to get your work out into the world.
10m
12
Final Tips
Write about what you want to write. In this lesson, we’ll consider how your final project could be part of a much bigger body of work you can create. I’ll also talk about staying true to your vision and writing the kinds of stories you enjoy writing.
2m
Module 3
Life Writing for Beginners: Telling Your Own Story
In this module, you will explore the art of life writing, uncovering ways to transform your memories—both joyful and challenging—into captivating narratives. Led by author and editor Tom Bromley, you will learn how to create a vivid, truthful "portrait in words" that resonates deeply with readers.
From conducting research to drafting and editing, you will master the techniques needed to retell experiences with rich detail and authenticity. By the end, you will develop a seamless narrative that brings your personal story to life, capturing its essence with clarity and impact.
1
What Is Life Writing?
First, I’ll discuss what life writing is and show some examples of excellent prose in the subject.
8m
2
Using Senses to Bring Emotions to Life
Here you'll look at the first of three ways to trigger memories and help bring life writing to life.
9m
3
Employing Music as a Trigger
In this lesson, I'll talk about how music can transport you back to different events and moments in your life.
8m
4
Objects and Small Details
During this lesson, I'll share with you a third way of kickstarting your ideas, using objects and small details as prompts.
9m
5
Rewriting Historical Events from Your Own Perspective
Now, I'll encourage you to think about putting yourself in the picture, starting with reframing famous events from your own perspective.
9m
6
Bringing in and Bringing Out the Emotions Even When It Hurts
In this lesson, I will discuss the challenges of writing from your own perspective and how to write with feeling and emotion.
8m
7
Creating a First Draft
You are about to begin your final writing project for the course. Are you ready?
9m
8
Research
I'll talk you about the research topic and how to use both to get the details right and add more information into your pieces.
8m
9
Structuring and Shaping Your Narrative
Now you’ve got your draft and fleshed out with research; you can start the process of tightening and editing the piece. In this lesson, you will look at doing so from a narrative perspective.
6m
10
Line Editing
Let's see some ways of tightening the piece still further, on a line by line level.
8m
11
How to Give and Receive Feedback
In this lesson, you’ll look at the art of giving good feedback: what works, what doesn’t, and how to take those comments to work forwards.
7m
12
Taking Further: Thoughts on Building Towards a Memoir
Finally, if you've enjoyed writing this short piece of Life Writing, I'll offer suggestions for those interested in writing and developing a longer manuscript.
5m
Module 4
Creative Nonfiction: Write from Life
Learn how to transform real events into immersive narratives through creative nonfiction. Guided by writer and teacher Julia Bell, you’ll explore techniques to blend facts with imagination, turning true stories into captivating reads that resonate with authenticity.
Discover how to find your unique voice, develop storytelling skills, and use creative writing tools to craft compelling nonfiction. From recounting personal experiences to composing page-turning essays, this course will inspire you to bring the stories of life to the page with vivid detail and originality.
1
Paying Attention
In this lesson, we'll consider the importance of paying attention to the world and do some exercises which will help you to develop observational and descriptive skills.
8m
2
Developing Your Voice
A key stepping stone to your success as a writer is finding your voice. I will guide you through some exercises that will help you to identify and extend your own unique way of writing.
10m
3
Working with Memory
Let's build on the observation exercises from the previous lessons! I will encourage you to think about how memory works, how we remember, and the ways in which we write from memory.
11m
4
The Situation and the Story
Building on what you've learned about detail, memory, and the unreliability of memory, we'll move on and consider how to structure a piece. I will explain how to distinguish the situation and the story.
7m
5
Structuring Stories
Drawing on what we've covered previously with memory and story development, it's time to think about how to structure what you're writing! You will learn the science of storytelling.
12m
6
What Makes a Good Story?
This lesson picks up from the previous lesson and considers how I wrote my piece The Night Owl, which you can download from the Additional Resources section if you'd like to have a read! Learning from example is a great way to familiarise yourself with the art of storytelling.
8m
7
Gathering Your Knowledge and Research
Now that you know the theory behind writing a good story, the next step is to start gathering together your material. I will help you to think about what you know and what you need to know and delve into how I did my research for my piece, The Night Owl.
9m
8
The Voice of the Piece
In this lesson, I will discuss the importance of finding the voice of your piece and the ways in which non-fiction differs from fiction.
17m
9
Making a Scene
We will now explore the art of making something active and alive in prose, borrowing techniques from fiction. How can you bring your story into the moment so that the narrative can move forward in the reader's mind?
9m
10
Refining the Ending
How can you finish your piece to bring the story to a strong close? In this lesson, we will consider how an ending implies meaning for all the things which have gone before it.
9m
11
Different Approaches to Editing
In this lesson, I will review the different ways in which you can edit your pieces and consider how layout, design, and word choice can affect the way we read. You will also discover how this can contribute to how and what we can say.
20m
12
Planning and Developing a Longer Project
How can you apply the skills you've learned to much bigger endeavours? In this lesson, we'll consider how to develop something from a short piece into a longer project.
12m
13
Taking Your Work Forward
Well done. You now have the knowledge and skills to write successful creative non-fiction. But how do you get your work out there? In this lesson, we'll look at the market for short personal essays and consider the next steps for your projects.
17m
Module 5
Memoir Writing: Write a Personal Story for a Universal Audience
Let's discover how to craft compelling personal narratives with structure and purpose. Led by acclaimed author and book coach Courtney Maum, you’ll learn to use the three-act structure and a double timeline to shape real-life stories that captivate readers from start to finish.
Explore techniques to balance emotional depth with narrative clarity while weaving together authentic characters and events. By the end, you’ll have the tools to write engaging stories that resonate, offering readers a seamless journey through your personal experiences.
1
Conquering Fear and Guilt
Here I will provide three essential steps you should consider before starting to write.
5m
2
What Memoir Is and Does
I will show you the different types of autobiographical writing so that you have a clear vision of where your work could fit.
4m
3
Deciding What Will Make It Into Your Story
Sometimes it is hard to decide what parts of your non-fiction work you should leave out. Here I will give you some tips to make this process easier.
8m
4
Voice: What Is It and How to Find Yours?
Finding the right voice for your project is another important element to consider. I like to divide voice into several categories which help me find the right one for each work.
8m
5
Plot, Sub-Plot and the Double Timeline
We will now focus on the plot and sub-plot, two elements every good book should have, and on how to identify them.
6m
6
The Three-Act Story Structure
Here we will take a look at this classic but effective story-telling tool.
6m
7
Putting It All Together!
In this lesson, I’m going to walk you through how I wrote a difficult personal essay about a miscarriage using the tools we have learned together: the creation of a double timeline and a three-act story structure.
12m
8
Accountability
Here I talk about the importance of scheduling some time of your day exclusively for writing and I'll give you some tips on how I manage to do it.
2m
9
Generating “Buzz” Around Your Story
Social media is a great tool to make your book known, so it's important that you leverage their full potential to reach a wider audience.
4m
10
Giving Yourself Permission to Write
It is not unusual to feel that you are not entitled or professional enough to tell a certain story. Here you will learn that trying to overcome that thought is a key element of the writing process.
3m
Module 6
Book Proposal Writing: How to Get Published
Learn how to craft a compelling book proposal that grabs the attention of editors and publishers. Guided by seasoned author Courtney Maum, you’ll uncover the key elements of proposals that sell, from presenting your book concept to highlighting its market potential.
With insider tips and strategies, you’ll gain the confidence to pitch your work effectively and understand what publishers are looking for. By the end, you’ll be ready to transform your ideas into a proposal that opens doors, bringing your book one step closer to publication.
1
What Is a Book Proposal and How Does It Work?
In this lesson, we’re going to learn what a book proposal is and what it should include.
7m
2
The Two-Step Chapter: Summary Approach
Now, you’ll see my special two-step approach to chapter summary writing that will make your book proposal easy, enjoyable, and selling for your reader.
8m
3
Establishing Your “Hook”
I will show you how to communicate what makes your book special and how to pitch yourself as the author. This is called your book’s “hook.”
5m
4
Understanding Platform
In this lesson,we’re going to talk about what “platform” is and use a worksheet to analyze our own.
10m
5
How to Write an Overview
Now, we are going to see how to write the “overview” portion of your book proposal.
10m
6
Determining Comp Titles
It's time for you to learn what “comp titles” are and walk through how you can find the book titles that are comparative to the one you want to write.
7m
7
Writing Your Bio and Marketing Plan
We’ll talk about how to write a marketing plan and incorporate your personal bio to support that plan.
20m
8
Best Practices for Submission
In this lesson, we are going to see the best practices for preparing our book proposals to meet the larger world.
5m
9
How to Find an Agent and/or Editors
Let me show you how we can find the right agents and editors for our projects.
8m
10
Strengthening Your Platform
In this lesson, we’ll talk about how we can strengthen the areas of our platform that need a little help.
9m
11
What to Do with “No”
Lastly, we'll talk about what happens if we’re not getting the responses we’d hoped for during the submission period.
9m
- 169 students
- 64 lessons (9h 22m)
- 54 additional resources (15 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Audio: English, Spanish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Students will transform initial ideas into compelling narratives, developing characters and engaging plots, while overcoming writer's block. Through structured practice, they will enhance storytelling skills, craft relatable memoirs, and produce professional book proposals.
Who is this specialization for?
Aspiring writers and storytellers seeking to transform personal experiences into captivating narratives will benefit from this course. Ideal for beginners and those looking to refine their creative writing skills, it offers practical techniques for crafting engaging stories and memoirs.
Requirements and materials
No extensive prior knowledge is required. Basic necessities include a passion for storytelling, a notebook, and a writing tool. Access to a computer with internet is recommended for accessing course materials, exercises, and peer feedback opportunities.
Select to get to know your teachers in this specialization course
What to expect from this specialization 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 for every specialization 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
What are Domestika's online specialization courses?
Domestika's specialization courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's specializations also allow you to share your own projects with other students, creating a dynamic course community.
When do the specialization courses start and when do they finish?
All specialization courses are 100% online, so once they're published, specialization courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.
What do Domestika's specialization courses include?
The specialization courses are divided into different modules. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with other students, as well as share your work and your final project, creating a community around the specialization course.
Have you been given a specialization course?
You can redeem the specialization course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
When do I get the specialization course certificate?
Plus
If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online.
Learn more about certificates.
