Creative Writing
Our creative writing courses focus on fiction, poetry, and narrative nonfiction (memoir). We aim to foster a deep appreciation and understanding of the narrative craft and to help you achieve goals related to your writing.
- Each professor within the discipline is a published author or creative offering a variety of writerly skillsets.
- Classes are designed to fit busy schedules.
- Become part of a long-term and supportive community of writers.
- Personal expression and identity are valued and supported in coursework.
Creative Writing Program
Creative Writing Associate in Arts
The Creative Writing AA degree allows students to pursue further education in Creative Writing by preparing them to enter into a 4-year program with lower-division courses completed, so a student may focus on their preferred genre and form.
The degree program instructs students to distinguish key elements of the four genres (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting) while incorporating key elements of each genre in their own work.
For more information, contact: nishimjm@lacitycollege.edu
Creative Writing Certificate of Achievement
LACC’s Creative Writing Certificate pathway teaches students to distinguish key elements of the four genres (fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting) while incorporating key elements of each genre into their own work.
Earning your Creative Writing Certificate is a great intro to the world of creative writing and will help you succeed in a variety of fields such as editing, teaching, advertising, and cinema.
For more information, contact: nishimjm@lacitycollege.edu
Creative Writing Courses
Please note that ENGLISH 124, 127, and 227 are required for the Creative Writing Certificate Program. ENGLISH 78 is an optional course.
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
Students learn the primary structures of memoir writing, including chronology, theme, and tension. Students read full-length memoirs by published writers in order to outline and compose their own memoirs. Students learn to recognize and explore memories and experiences, decide what to include and exclude in their writing process and discover new meanings from their pasts, which give perspectives to the present. All material is submitted in a supportive workshop atmosphere designed to help writers formulate, design, and construct their own memoir.
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
Students will explore and deepen their understanding of the creation of short form prose works, typically called Short Stories. Students will learn the foundational mechanisms of short prose through the engagement of professionally published prose from accomplished authors across a variety of times, locations, and themes. Students will develop the skills in the writing of short fi ction, focusing on character, narrative development, voice, style, and revision.
Offered every fall semester
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, C-ID (ENGLISH 200 or ENGL-CW 100)
Prerequisite: ENGLISH 102
Students receive intensive training in writing poetry, prose fiction, and/or playwriting. Students compose works that are discussed as part of instruction, supplemented by examples of published writers and theoretical essays on the creative process.
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
Prerequisite: ENGLISH 127
Students receive advanced, intensive training in writing poetry, prose fiction, and/or playwriting. Students compose works that are discussed as part of instruction, supplemented by examples of published writers and theoretical essays on the creative process. This course directly builds upon the skillsets established in English 127, providing emphasis on revision and expansion of work.
Faculty Spotlight:
John Lynch
English 240: Literature and the Motion Picture
Summer 2024: Section 11993 (taught asynchronously on Canvas)
John Lynch came to Los Angeles through his graduate studies in creative writing at Boston's Emerson College. After working on television shows (That 70's Show and Third Rock From the Sun), he now focuses on teaching and writing/directing films. His short films have won him numerous screenplay and directing awards.
"My goal is to get our student writing published or produced. I love to share my experience on the actual business of selling/publishing your work in and out of Hollywood."
LACC Creative Writing Club
If you are working on something creative or just curious about creative writing, please join LACC’s Creative Writing Club! Run by students for students, this is a chance to learn and grow in your writing journey.
The club is currently gathering submissions for its first self-published club anthology! Poems, songs, short stories, and nonfiction are all welcome.
This semester, we will meet every Wednesday at 2:30 PM starting September 25th in Jefferson Hall 316. (If construction closes the building, we will Zoom our meetings until it is safe to return to the classroom.) Attendance is not required every week. To join, simply stop by our meeting and sign up.
If you have any questions, email Faculty Advisor Professor John Lynch at LynchJJ@lacitycollege.edu. Come on by! No experience necessary!
Calling Student Writers!
Each spring, English & ESL Department holds an annual writing contest for all LACC students. Students are invited to submit original work in three categories: short stories, poetry, and ESL writing.
The Citadel is a creative literary journal published annually by the English & ESL Department. It welcomes submissions from student writers as well as works from the broader community.
English & ESL Department