Writing Short Stories Based on Personal Experience
A course by María José CaroWriter
A course by María José Caro, Writer
Create fictional stories based on your memories and turn your anecdotes into unforgettable tales
Sometimes the best ideas are born from hurts and failures. For María José Caro, a writer whose works have been published in Spain and Latin America, writing is also a journey of self-discovery. In this online course, he will teach you how to use your experiences to create a fictional story.
Throughout the units, you will learn to write short stories based on your memories. Upon completion, you will have storytelling tools to create powerful stories and explore your inner world. You will explore the different versions of your memories and you will understand that memory is a way of making fiction.
María José will take you on a journey into your inner world and will teach you strategies to reconnect with your memories and put them on paper. You will discover how childhood can be a rich source of inspiration to create powerful narratives.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 32 downloads
influences
11 minutes, 22 seconds
The childhood of a writer
9 minutes, 37 seconds
revisit the memories
7 minutes, 7 seconds
Selection of the narrator and the tone of the story
4 minutes, 12 seconds
Outlining the characters and creating a storyline
9 minutes, 16 seconds
How to overcome a creative block
2 minutes, 7 seconds
What's included in this course?
You will start the course getting to know your teacher María José Caro better, who will tell you how she started in the world of writing and will share with you her greatest sources of inspiration.
Next, you will see what turns an anecdote into a narrative and you will study different strategies to reconnect with your memories and put them on paper. You will also discover some authors who used childhood as material for their creations.
In the next unit, you will analyze the structure of a story and learn to build believable characters. In addition, María José will give you some advice for writing beginnings and conclusions that engage.
Then, you will define the starting point of the text of your final project which, in the case of your teacher, will be a photograph. You will select the type of narrator, you will outline the main and secondary characters and you will develop a storyline. With that guide, you will finally write the story, to later review it and choose its title.
To close the course, you will discover some tricks to overcome creative block and avoid clichés. In addition, you will know the advantages of having an editor.
What is this course's project?
In the final project for this course, you will use a photograph as a starting point to write a fictional story. Applying the techniques and concepts learned, you will bring characters to life, develop an engaging plot, and create a unique story that reflects your creative vision.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at all those who wish to explore the world of narrative writing and transform their experiences into captivating stories. Whether you're taking your first steps in writing or a professional author looking for new sources of inspiration, this course will give you the tools you need to unleash your creativity and excite readers with your stories.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you will need a pen and paper to take notes during classes. We also recommend that you have access to a computer with an internet connection to access the course content. No prior writing knowledge is required, just a desire to explore your creativity and learn to translate your experiences into compelling stories.
Reviews
- 8 months ago
O curso é bem interessante e prático.
- 9 months ago
This course is very interesting and the exercices have improved my writing skills. l highly recommend this course.
- 9 months ago
Escritura de historias cortas a partir de vivencias muestra, de forma clara y cercana, cómo convertir experiencias personales en relatos breves con emoción y sentido. Un curso inspirador que anima a escribir desde lo vivido. ¡Lo recomiendo!
- 10 months ago
Estoy empezando el curso ...lo encuentro muy bueno ... dan una estructura para poder escribir coherentemente , Felicitaciones .
- 10 months ago
Through presentation of material but I wished I could read her documents.
María José is the author of several books, including "Perro de ojos negros", "What's wrong with me?" and "Corazón de titano", published by Penguin Random House on the Alfaguara label. Her specialty lies in exploring the intimate world and childhood, and her writing is characterized by being accessible and emotional for all kinds of readers.
With extensive experience in literary festivals and international recognition, María José Caro shares her knowledge and passion for narrative writing in this course, providing students with the necessary tools to turn their experiences into powerful and exciting stories.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- influences
- U2
Revive the inner child
- From the anecdote to the story
- The childhood of a writer
- look for the wound
- U3
Elements of the story
- Structure and point of view
- Start and end of the trip
- flesh and blood characters
- U4
Project development
- revisit the memories
- Selection of the narrator and the tone of the story
- Outlining the characters and creating a storyline
- write the text
- Selection of the title and rereading
- U5
Tips to create more freely
- How to overcome a creative block
- Avoid the common place
- My text in front of the others
- FP
Final project
- Creation of short stories
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
The course is designed for people with an intermediate level but does not require prior professional writing experience. It’s perfect if you’re interested in storytelling and want to deepen your skills in crafting stories and characters.
All you need is internet access, a notebook or computer for writing, and a willingness to explore personal memories and emotions. No special software or advanced prior knowledge is required.
You’ll learn how to turn memories and personal experiences into fictional stories, create believable characters, structure short stories, and use inspiration techniques like photos and personal journals.
The course covers autobiographical storytelling, building child and teen characters, using memory, story structure, developing a personal literary voice, and strategies to overcome creative blocks.
You’ll be guided to identify meaningful memories, analyze emotions, and build detailed biographies to develop authentic characters based on your own experience.
You’ll learn how to craft engaging openings, plan main and secondary storylines, create conflict, and choose closed or open endings to keep readers hooked.
Yes, the course includes practical tools to recognize blocks, manage them with audiovisual, physical, and literary exercises, and encourage a creative, flexible mindset.