Are you a writer or someone who wants to start writing and live in Orange County, California?
Do you want to take a writing class to brush up on your existing skills, or to learn about the basics of professional writing and get some practice doing so?
Below we’re featured 16 top writing classes in Orange County for you to take a look at.
1. Creative Writing Course by Dorothy Spirus
For more than a decade now, Dorothy Spirus has been teaching writing classes in the city of Irvine. Since January, she has added more classes in Huntington Beach. Dorothy has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities in English at USC. The classes offered include Creative Writing and Writing Jumpstart.
Dorothy Spirus offers writing classes in poetry, non-fiction, books, short stories and scripts. The creative writing course on offer allows you to work on your own project whether its fiction or non-fiction. You have the opportunity to develop a book idea you may have, start writing a short story, children’s book, a screenplay, or a novel that you’re part way through writing. In this class, you’ll also get a thorough evaluation of your work.
The location for the creative writing course in Irvine is held at Rancho Center, 3 Ethel Coplen Way * Irvine, CA 92604 near the 405 Fwy and Culver. To register, contact the City of Irvine “Creative Writing” Course #6259 or visit www.YourIrvine.org to register online or call (949) 724-6610. Creative writing courses cost $175 for six meetings. If you live outside Irvine you will be charged $10 extra. The fall sessions start from September 18th onwards. The specific details and locations for courses are mentioned on this page.
2. First Class Ticket: Setting Your Hook by California Writers Club
California Writers Club (CWC) is a non-profit organization that works to empower and support writers in the region. Aspiring authors, future writers, published authors are all welcome. 1800 members are a part of this prestigious organization. Glen Erik Hamilton is a successful mystery writer. He is also the president of Southern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. On August 10th, he will hold a workshop teaching writers the art of setting a hook. It will allow promising new writers understand how to use a hook and get your readers interested. The price of the workshop is $7 for non-members and no charge for members. Further details are available on this page.
3. Creative Writing Classes by North Orange Continuing Education
North Orange County Community College District – School of Continuing Education is in partnership with ed2go to offer training alternatives through online courses. They offer various instructors led writing courses, including beginner’s courses, fiction writing, young adult fiction and much more. The courses help learners to develop story structuring skills and techniques used to build scenes. Each assignment in the course will help to develop the learner’s novel or story.
Steve Alcorn will take learners through the course and help them write fiction like pros. He is a published author of fiction and non-fiction pieces and he has helped over 30,000 students to turn their ideas into reality. Some of his novels include Theme Park Design and Everything in Its Path. Steve Alcorn is the CEO of a leading design company. For more details, please visit https://www.ed2go.com/noce/online-courses/write-fiction-like-a-pro?tab=detail.
Courses take six weeks starting from August 14th at a cost of $115 USD.
4. Self Publishing for Newbies by OCCRWA
Orange County Chapter Romance Writers of America was founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization. It is an excellent way for new authors to find support and guidance in the industry. Existing members or writers can attend classes, workshops and events to build on their skills or learn new styles.
They have an exciting roster of online classes in the upcoming months. For example, the Self Publishing for Newbies class is ideal for amateur writers. With the changing scenario in publishing, understanding the nuances and struggles of self-publishing is beneficial. It is taught by Rebekah Ganiere, a popular author and screenwriter. Beginning on August 12th, the course lasts till 6th September. It costs $20 for members and an extra $10 for non-members. You can find application details on this page.
5. Creative Writing by Orange County School of the Arts
The Santa Ana-based school was founded in 1987 by Dr. Ralph Opacic. It is an innovative public charter school that encourages and embraces artistic creativity and academic excellence. The school is donation dependent and tuition free, making it accessible to all students. Creative writing students are tutored in literary biography, non-fiction, screenplays and plays. The Creative Writing Conservatory offers students MFA-modeled courses with writing opportunities in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and dramatic writing. Students also get a chance to test their skills through projects, networking events, and festivals.
Core classes include four classes within two years. They include Core Poetry, Core Non-Fiction, Core Screenwriting and Core Screenwriting and Core Short Story Applications for the 2020-2021 session will begin in October 2019. You can visit the application link here and check their requirements.
6. Narrative Writing at Bridges Reading & Writing Institute
Narrative writing for upper elementary students (4th & 5th graders) is offered to students. The course is divided in two semesters. It will help familiarise students with fiction, contemporary writing, building a narrative, and providing plot structure. Students will get to form strong characters, plot devices, literary elements, and write a complete book. They will have guidance to research, edit, write, rewrite, and format a book.
There is a registration fee of $45.00 and $400 for the first 4 sessions. You can register for the course using this link and learn more about application requirements.
7. Children’s Writing Class by Irvine Valley College
Irvine Valley College is offering writing classes for both beginners and successful writers to help them explore new opportunities and markets for their work. The writers will be able to explore children’s literature and understand various formats such as chapter books, picture books, middle grade or young adult novels. They’ll also acquire tips on creating manuscripts and writing queries.
The course instructor is Steve Alcorn, a published author of fiction and non-fiction works. Steve is the CEO of a leading theme park design company known as Alcorn McBride Inc. He has for the past decade helped over 30,000 students to publish novels they developed in his classes. Some of his novels include Everything in its Path, How to Fix Your Novel and more.
https://www.ed2go.com/ivccommunityed/
Classes start on August 14th and costs $105.
8. Creative Writing by Concordia University
Concordia University provides creative writing minor courses that introduce creative writers to literary tools for poetry, screenplays, creative non-fiction and fiction. The students are able to compose and revise a collection of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. The University provides small classes with personalized attention from instructors to develop skill and knowledge of creative writing.
The creative writing program is a section of the English department, with dedicated faculty members who hold M.F.A degrees in Creative Writing. Each course comprises of three units. For more information, please visit this page. The deadline for spring 2019 application is December 1.
9. Writing the Fantasy Novel by Santa Ana College
One of the most popular genres and styles today is fantasy. This highly niche style of writing can be difficult to master. You need to know how to write your characters and story in a fantasy setting. In this online course lasting 24 hours, you will learn fantasy fiction and its intricacies, how to publish your novel and how to get noticed by publishers. Laura Anderson is the instructor and she has years of experience as a writer and teacher. The cost of this course is $100. You can find further details on this page.
10. Creative Writing by California State Summer School for the Arts
The CSSSA Creative Writing Program offers interactive and personalized workshops for seventy talented young writers. The learners will be instructed on poetry, fiction, dramatic writing and memoir. CSSSA offers free and creative environments for young artists. The course takes four weeks.
The core class is a foundational writing workshop that will take four mornings each week. Students will be taken through the course by faculty members on poetry, prose fiction, memoir and dramatic writing. The courses will give students an opportunity to go deep into particular genres. The CSSSA creative writers will have the opportunity to participate in engaging discussions of creative strategies and lives of renowned writers.
Tuition for four weeks is $1,850 for California State residents and $5,700 for non-California residents. Visit https://www.csssa.ca.gov/academic-programs/creative-writing/creative-writing-requirements/ for more information on requirements.
11. Writing in the Glory Orange County: How to Write and Publish your 1st Book
A lot of writers are afraid to take the first step. Their dream languishes in incomplete folders or ideas. If you want the courage to pick up your pen and finally get moving, it would be a good idea to get some professional help. Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D, the instructor, has aided several people to become published writers. This workshop is meant to explore your thoughts, personality, and setting a goal for yourself.
The workshop will take place on August 10th, 2019. In just 4 hours, you will be able to focus on what is important and get to pursue your dream. The fees for this workshop is $99 and $69 for BSSM alumni, pastors, leaders in full time ministry, missionaries and onwards. You can book a place by clicking on this link.
12. Infinite Writing by Beth Lapides
If you want to try writing poetry, comedy, stand up, memoir, and other unconventional genres, this is the program for you. The workshop is structured freely so attendees and writers can express themselves honestly. A writer and teacher by profession, Beth has taught at prestigious colleges and universities. She also coaches students personally so they can unleash their true potential and get published.
While traditional methods are good, sometimes you need to try something bold and new. The ‘Infinite Writing’ picks up material you may have written or rejected and tries to create something completely new out of it. You can create something fresh or reshape your existing work, depending on how you feel. The dates for the workshop are October 15th, 2019 and it costs $345 and onwards for tickets.
Find the link to tickets on this page.
13. Script Writing Classes by The Orange County Screen Writers Association
Orange Coast College and Irvine Valley College Department of Community Education offer a not-for-credit practical screenwriting course by Mark Sevi, a professional screenwriter and has been teaching for more than 15 years. Students will learn scriptwriting techniques and are evaluated in a dynamic workshop. You can either opt for the Intro to Scriptwriting course or Intermediate Scriptwriting depending on your experience and skills. The introductory course lasts for 8 weeks,
The introductory course begins on 3rd October while the intermediate class starts on 8th October. You can find more details and application requirements here.
14. Creative Writing by Think Write Academy
Think Write Academy has core-aligned programs that teach students to think critically and write with clarity and in depth imagination. The programs are meant for children from third grade to middle school, and are taught by Cheryl Yoon
Cheryl Yoon has several degrees from different universities with 15 years of teaching experience and five years as a corporate and securities attorney. She is also a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling & Western Association for College Admissions Counseling, among other accreditations. For more information call or text Cheryl Yoon at (949) 910-3640 or email thinkwriteacademy@gmail.com to register. Her address is 18 Truman #201 Irvine, CA 92620.
All the courses cost $280 USD.
15. Creative Writing by Writers at Work
The creative writing workshop meets every Tuesdays from 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Fountain Avenue. It is open to writers at any stage for a book-length work, creative non-fiction or fiction. The workshop is under the tutelage of Terry Wolverton. Writers are made to learn writing books by writing them.
Writers are engaged in learning how to structure a book and the strategies of getting the work in print. Terry Wolverton gives honest and caring feedback and responds to the work and questions. She is familiar with all types of writing and styles and takes learners through all writing processes.
To register, one is required to apply here. The workshop costs $150 per month.
16. Tin House
Tin House workshops comprise of one-on-one meetings with faculty, morning workshops and afternoon craft discussions accompanied with generative exercises. The workshops will take place at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, OR. Writers with completed books of stories or poems, novels or memoir can apply for mentorship with the faculty and editors. The workshops take place on weekends. The entire course costs $1500 for program, room, and board. Applications open on September 1st.
Acceptance at Tin House workshops is based on the strength and promise of the writer’s sample.
Are you aware of any other creative writing classes in Orange County? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Kevinson Libama is a full-time non-fiction writer, proofreader, and editor. He’s currently accepting new clients who need help with their eBook proofreading and editing as well as blog writing.