There are so many writing courses out in the world that it can be rather daunting trying to find the right one that works for you. If you’re anything like me, who is an epic procrastinator, a complete scaredy cat, and with accessible needs, then choosing a study mode that is flexible and open is incredibly important. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to undertake the online Creativity for Writers course, produced by the Professional Writing Academy (PWA) in collaboration with Jericho Writers. What it made me realise was that not all online courses are created the same.

The Creativity for Writers course: you are not alone

It took place over four weeks with tutor Francesco Dimitri, an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction, a screenwriter, and a comic book scriptwriter. He was previously on the faculty of the School of Life, founded by British philosopher Alain de Botton. While I’ve tried taster sessions and creative writing workshops in the past, it was my first proper foray into formal learning in the subject. Of course, it approaches the topic from a different angle, because many people feel rather daunted by the process of writing a book in the first place. Hence, before putting the cart before the horse, Dimitri recommends building some foundations into your practice so that it can be a regular part of the process.

As a result, there are several areas covered in the CPD-accredited curriculum including learning how to become open to creativity, harnessing your imagination, getting better at problem-solving, committing to the task at hand, establishing creative rituals, being playful, and embracing failure. It may seem rather basic, but it’s surprising how many barriers we put in front of ourselves because of various hang-ups such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and fear of judgement.

Read: Jami Attenberg: 1000 Words shows writing as a formidable collective act – review

You’re also far from alone in this course. Due to the lively discussion forums, there is constant feedback from your peers in a safe environment. And as someone who particularly detests relying on the nuances of written messages, the Zoom sessions are a great way of meeting others, who surprisingly have the same questions as you. My own queries ranged from “Who do you trust to read your first draft,” to “How to commit to writing if life gets in the way?” A sentiment shared by many others.

Online courses tend to get a bad rap, partly due to the hangover from the pandemic. Aside from Zoom fatigue, the haphazard approach to shaping face-to-face material for a different medium certainly didn’t do it any favours. The good news is that the Professional Writing Academy has been around since 2009, and is considered a digital pioneer in the field.

Watch: Julia Cameron: The Artist’s Way author on AI and creative blocks

On its website, it states that the team is behind the world’s first fully online Master’s degree in writing and that it teaches on a digital learning platform designed specifically for writers. As someone who can’t take traditional in-person classes due to my access needs, the PWA reminds us that “Not all online learning is created equal.” Hence the classes are small, consisting of fewer than 15 people, with regular interaction with a tutor. 

PWA is the brainchild of Christina Bunce and Susannah Marriott, who had worked together at a university running a successful writing Masters programme. Apart from this, the pair had years of experience in publishing, writing, digital content development, and online community management. They say: “We became frustrated with the limitations of the university model  – focused more on formal academic objectives than what our student writers wanted to achieve.

“Our vision was to create an accessible place online where writers could come to learn regardless of their background, level of experience, and location — at a time of the day or night that suited them,” they added.

How accessible are Professional Writing Academy courses?

Now down to the nitty gritty. The intermediate course is structured to guide participants through a process of harnessing their creativity. With weekly assignments, it’s about applying, experimenting, and evolving. The skills developed are said to help writers navigate through creative obstacles, set empowering rituals, and meet deadlines with ease. 

This aspect was especially important for me, as living with a chronic neurodegenerative illness means being prepared for anything. Using my read-aloud extension, I was able to get through large chunks of text, which is helpful if you have zero concentration and are neurodiverse. Consequently, there is also an accessibility toolbar that gives different options for font size as well as colour. To accommodate a multitude of needs, the final 2,000-word piece can be anything from a short story and can be submitted as an audio file.

For me, being able to do the course mostly on my phone was incredibly helpful. It helps ease the struggle of either sitting at a desk or getting a headache in front of a big screen. I’ve also made a few recommendations to increase the platform’s accessibility, which they willingly took on board.

Apply for the Penny Batchelor ADCI Bursary

With that being said, a Penny Batchelor ADCI Bursary is being offered to disabled creatives, specifically for their Fictions Foundation course. The six-week course is usually £446.00, but the bursary will cover this for two applicants. To apply, you will need to answer why you’d like to participate, how you will benefit from online access, and why you’re unable to take part in a face-to-face course, not to mention talking about any previous writing you may have done. Apply before April 12 to get a chance of winning a place on the course, which begins promptly on April 22.

So, if you think that you can’t be a writer because you don’t have an MFA, there are other avenues to try before closing that door altogether. You’re a writer, but you might not even know it yet.