Writing Courses.
Do you believe in writing courses? I don’t. I fail to see how even a week’s course can entirely suit an individual’s needs, because writing courses are not genre-specific. They may teach the basic aspects of novel writing, but I believe you can learn much more from reading quality adult or children’s literature in your favourite genre.
Have you attended a writing course?
What tasks did they get you to do?
I'll be honest. I'll take any help I get.
My degree was in creative writing. I walked into my university an ok writer, I walked out a stronger writer.
I'd love to do a masters.
I think everyone would agree, we should all read as much as we can. Not just to be better writers but because reading is awesome. I certainly would never dismiss any form of help that'd aid me in becoming a better writer, a better story teller. Nor would I want to discourage any one from attending a writing course. I learnt from my degree.
I've also recently completed an online grammar course (yawn), because it was clear that my grammar can let me down. I've read alot of books, but I still needed that extra help.
If it's not for you then that's cool, but keep an open mind.
Lorraine, I completely agree.
The best way to learn the art and craft of novel writing is to read widely and self-interestedly. The best traditional and contemporary literature and the best novels in your favourite genre.
I always set out with the intention of deconstructing a piece of quality literature as I read, but I often become so absorbed in the writing that I forget what I set out to do, however, I do eventually succeed.
It's much harder with a great like, Jane Austen. Her novels have such depth, its no wonder people re-read them many times.
Rather than teach people how to write, maybe it's better to teach them how to read. No, not as in elementary school, but as in deconstructing a piece of work.
The best way to understand the craft of writing is to recognise what it is about your favourite author or genre that attracts you. How do they catch your attention and hold it? How do they create tension or romance or atmosphere? Unless you know what to look for - the brevity of sentences, for instance, or the use of sounds and light, the attention to detail - it is very hard to learn their skills.
(Who would have thought that all those Lit Crit lessons would pay off?)
We write because we have something to say; but we have to learn how best to say it. Maybe lessons would give good general pointers, but one size doesn't fit all. Look to your peers first, and see how much you can learn from them.