The 13 best writing classes in NYC

Finding the perfect writing class for you requires some thoughtful consideration of the available options to ensure that whatever program you choose aligns with your personal and professional goals. The best place to start is to determine your overall goal in attending a writing class–do you want to finish a screenplay or start a novel? Are you interested in creative writing, or do you need to brush up your business writing skills for a new job or a promotion? From there, you’ll want to determine your schedule and budget. 

Some writing classes can be attended in a single day, while others last for several weeks. Longer classes are certainly more comprehensive and provide more opportunities for feedback and networking, but they are also more expensive and are more challenging to fit into a busy schedule. Ultimately, spending some time evaluating different aspects of writing classes will enable you to select one that will provide you with a productive and enjoyable experience.

When it comes to selecting a writing class, one of the easiest places to start is searching for classes that match the type of project you’re working on. If you have some ideas but aren’t sure where to start, Creative Writing 101 at Gotham Writers Workshop would be appropriate for anyone who wants to learn more about writing fiction. Still, other classes are geared toward more specific writing projects. Gotham Writers Workshop offers courses for memoir writing, screenplays, and even stand-up and songwriting. The Barrow Group Acting School also offers a writing class for anyone wanting to create a solo show. This is an immersive two-day program that is open to anyone, whether they’ve already written some material or completely starting from scratch. 

There are also plenty of writing classes focused on business writing. Programs like the Business Writing Bootcamp at NYC Career Centers focus on writing persuasive professional documents and are geared towards anyone who wants to improve their ability to write effective emails, memos, and proposals. You can also narrow your search based on skill level. Gotham Writers Workshop offers a Level 1 Fiction Writing class that could be a great fit for anyone with a basic story idea wanting to learn more about character development and dialogue. If you’re a more advanced writer, you may prefer a workshop that focuses more on editing and finalizing a project, like The Editor’s Eye, also at Gotham Writers Workshop. This course focuses on cutting whatever doesn’t enhance your work and keeping the story moving at a quick pace to keep your readers engaged.

You’ll also want to evaluate how much time and money you’re willing to spend on a writing class. The price of the program will largely depend on how long it takes to complete. Roughly speaking, a class that lasts for a few hours or a single day will cost between $200 and $300, while writing classes that last for days or weeks will cost closer to $700 on the high end. The longer classes provide multiple opportunities for editing and feedback, so these might be better for people with a more complete project they need help with. People who are just getting started on their writing careers may be better off investing in a shorter class to start.  

It’s also important to look at the credentials of your potential instructors. When looking at potential schools, take a look at their instructor’s biographies and see what types of work they’ve had published. Learning from a published author or playwright could be invaluable as you launch your own writing career. You can also check out recent reviews of the schools you’re interested in to see what other people’s experiences have been. If the school offers multiple writing classes, see if you can find reviews that target the class or the style of writing you want to focus on. For example, if you’re working on a screenplay, you’ll want to check the reviews about those specific classes rather than the school in general.

After enrolling in a writing class, there are some additional ways you can effectively prepare to ensure you get the most out of the experience. Most writing workshops provide students with ample opportunities to receive constructive feedback. You can use this time more effectively if you come prepared with specific questions and areas you want to target in your work. For instance, you can ask your instructor and classmates for advice on how to transition from one scene to the next, whether the dialogue in a particular conversation is believable, or if they have ideas on where the story should go next. 

You’ll also want to make sure that the piece you’re working on is polished enough for the class you’re attending. You can review the course description or call ahead to the school to clarify how complete a piece needs to be for it to be suitable for workshopping. Additionally, there are ways you can mentally prepare yourself for hearing criticism of your work. Writing is a long and vulnerable process, so it’s understandable if you’re not looking forward to this aspect of a writing class. Remember that all of your classmates are likely experiencing the same anxieties and that you’re all going through this together. The feedback you receive is designed to help you improve your writing and achieve your goals, whether they are professional or personal.

Writing classes are certainly beneficial for anyone who wants to write professionally, but there are others who could find a writing class to be extremely valuable:

Aspiring writers

No matter what writing project you’re working on, there are classes and workshops in New York City designed to help professional writers achieve their goals. Most writing classes provide something that many writers aren’t able to do on their own–motivation and accountability. Regular assignments and deadlines can help you stay disciplined and ensure you're consistently working on a project, even when you feel stuck. A professional writing class can also offer networking opportunities that solo writing simply can’t compete with. For example, some of the poetry workshops at The 92nd Street Y offer workshops with professional poets. In a writing class, you can build valuable and long-lasting relationships with peers, mentors, and industry professionals that could positively influence your career. Attending a writing class can also expose you to fresh ideas and perspectives, broaden your horizons, and provide new ideas for your own writing.

Actors

If you’re an actor working on a particular role, you could enroll in a short writing workshop to help explore your character. Writing a poem or a short story in your character's voice can deepen your understanding of the role and help identify new motivations and nuances you hadn’t previously understood. Writing classes can also help actors improve their ability to interpret a script. A deeper understanding of the writing process can help an actor know what to look for when developing a character or searching for themes in a particular piece. A single-session class at Gotham Writers Workshop, like Dialogue Writing Level 1, could be a great option for an actor without taking too much time away from their true passion.

Writing isn’t always creative, but it’s an essential skill for a wide range of professionals. Regardless of your industry, conveying ideas clearly and concisely is extremely valuable since it helps you come across as professional and credible. Improving your writing skills can also help you save time on future projects because these classes often teach students tips on organizing thoughts and presenting information logically. Strong writing skills are also an excellent way to stand out when looking for a promotion or applying for a new job. Some of the business writing classes at NYC Career Centers or Noble Desktop would be a great option for anyone looking to boost their written communication skills in the workplace. Students who are in the process of applying to college or a graduate program could also attend a business writing class to help write cover letters or other application materials.

Whether you’re interested in attending a writing class because you’re hoping to publish a project or simply seeking a creative outlet, there are a few other types of classes that could be valuable for you as well. Any writer knows how it feels to succumb to the dreaded writer’s block, but an improv class could help improve your ability to generate ideas quickly and think creatively under pressure. Many writers struggle with being unable to write if they don’t know where the story is going. Therefore, learning to adapt and react to rapidly changing storylines can also help writers embrace fresh perspectives and lean into unplanned changes to their storylines. Participating in an improv class also allows you to bounce your creative ideas off peers. You never know–you may leave an improv class with a brand-new story idea.

If you’re hoping to write for the stage or the screen, you may also want to check out a beginner-friendly acting class or two. These classes can help deepen your understanding of character development and dialogue. Engaging in a scene study will allow you to step into an actor’s shoes and learn how they dissect the written word to understand their character’s background and motivation. Speaking the dialogue of other writers out loud could also help you hone your authentic voice as an author, as well as give you a better idea of natural speech patterns. Since writers also craft stage directions and descriptions of scenes, performing can also enhance your ability to visualize a scene and craft more meaningful actions for actors to perform. Once you’ve immersed yourself in a performance, you may find that you leave with additional tools to create more dynamic and believable narratives.

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