If you’ve been thinking about creative writing for a while but aren’t quite sure how to begin, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions people ask! You might have great ideas, a love of stories, maybe even a notebook or two filled with half-written thoughts – but you may feel like you don’t have a clear sense of what the first proper step should be.
The truth is, if you’re interested in creative or fiction writing this doesn’t mean diving straight into a novel or waiting until you feel “ready” or “qualified”. The most helpful way to begin is to learn the foundations of creative writing. That’s because you remove the guesswork and uncertainty. And you make your writing feel more confident – and far more enjoyable.
This guide will walk you through what it really means to start creative writing, the skills that matter most early on, and how to choose a course that sets you up right from the start.
What does it mean to start creative writing?
Starting your journey into creative writing isn’t just about writing more. It’s about understanding how writing works. Why? Because it will save you a lot of time down the track!
For many people, the inspiration to write actually comes well before the knowledge of craft. You might already read widely, notice what works in stories, keep a journal, or write when you have the time. That’s a wonderful place to be! What often feels like it is missing is structure – an understanding of how ideas turn into scenes, how characters come alive, and why some writing feels effortless while other pieces don’t quite land.
Starting creative writing means learning those underlying skills so you’re not guessing every time you sit down to write.
What skills do you need to start creative writing?
When people ask how to start creative writing, they often assume they need one big idea. Like, the Big Novel Idea that’s going to become a bestseller! In reality, what helps most is learning a small set of core skills that support everything else.
To start creative writing, it’s useful to develop skills such as:
- Generating and shaping story ideas
- Creating believable, engaging characters
- Writing natural, purposeful dialogue
- Understanding basic story structure
- Building a regular writing habit.
These are the skills that take the mystery out of the creative writing process – and make writing feel much more doable!
Do you need to be a beginner to start creative writing?
You don’t need any prior experience to start creative writing – but you also don’t need to think of yourself as a beginner.
Many people who start creative writing courses are professionals, confident communicators, or long-time readers who may have never formally learnt the rules of creative writing. Others are genuinely new to writing and simply curious to see where it might lead.
What matters isn’t how you label yourself. What matters is whether you want to build strong foundations. Foundational skills give all writers – new or experienced – clarity on what works when writing fiction.
Learning the fundamentals is a smart move at any stage of your writing life.
Can you teach yourself creative writing?
You can teach yourself creative writing, and many people do. Reading widely, writing often, and experimenting on your own all matter. The challenge is that without guidance, it can be hard to know why something isn’t working, or what to focus on next. And, quite frankly, it will just take you A LOT longer to get to where you want to go. Plus, there is a the risk that you may learn some bad habits from well-meaning aspiring writers who share their ideas in an effort to be helpful – but this could unwittingly lead you down the wrong or inefficient path.
A good creative writing course provides structure. It explains key techniques clearly, shows how they fit together, and offers practical exercises so you can apply what you’re learning straight away. For many writers, that structure is what turns good intentions into real progress.
How do you choose the right creative writing course?
Choosing the right creative writing course can feel overwhelming. A helpful place to start is by asking yourself a few honest questions.
- Do you feel confident about story structure, character, and voice?
- Have you studied writing craft before?
- Do you know what kind of writer you want to be?
If you’re unsure about any of these, a foundational course is usually the most supportive option. Genre and advanced courses tend to work best once those core skills are in place.
Which creative writing course should you start with?
If you want a clear, structured way to start creative writing, a foundational course is the best place for most people. Creative Writing Stage 1 focuses on the essential skills that underpin strong creative writing, without assuming any particular background or experience.
Creative Writing Stage 1 is offered by the Australian Writers’ Centre for people who want to explore the world of creative writing. The course concentrates on building confidence, understanding technique, and helping you find your voice.
Many writers find that beginning here makes everything they do afterwards feel clearer and more purposeful.
What should you do after you’ve started creative writing?
Once you’ve built strong foundations, the next steps tend to reveal themselves. That’s because once you get started, you’ll often discover a path that really appeals to you. Some writers move on to more advanced creative writing courses. Others explore genre writing, short stories, memoir, or longer projects.
Starting with the fundamentals gives you a framework for making the next decision in your creative journey. Instead of wondering what you should do next, you’ll be able to choose what suits you and your goals.
And that’s where the magic begins!
