Although I’ve written stories since I was a kid, I’ve never felt the need to take a course in writing.
I studied English until second year of university, and there were elements of creative writing throughout school, but the main focus was always on work by other people.
This was never really an issue for me because I’ve always maintained that you learn by doing, so I spend a lot of my time reading, writing and then reading and writing a bit more. Then watching fifteen episodes of 30 Rock back to back with a pot of tea.
However, lately I’ve been wondering whether there might not be a couple of problems with this approach. Beavering away writing books and stories and blog posts and articles is all good practice, or so they say – but how do you know what you’re doing right or wrong? Practice is supposed to make perfect, but what if your writing practice is buttock clenchingly awful? What if, by going it alone, I’m simply conditioning myself to carry on making the same mistakes over and over again?
It’s a bit disconcerting to think that by never taking a course or joining a writing group, I may be depriving myself of all important feedback from people who know what they’re doing. What if the nuggets of wisdom from total strangers will turn me into some kind of literary genius, but I’m too daft to go and collect them?
Thing is, if I were to suddenly get proactive and go looking for the constructive criticism I probably need, who would I ask? I feel bad asking friends, honour bound to say yes with that sinking feeling that they will then have to spend hours of their own precious time mired in my nonsense when they could be drinking mojitos or learning how to Charleston. But I don’t feel like I know any professionals well enough to approach them with this. Oh yeah, and half the time I don’t actually get things to the point where I can send them to people, because I spend my editing and rewriting time blogging about how I don’t know who to send my unfinished work to.
It’s a first world problem of tedious proportions, but nevertheless I’m starting to think a class might help. If I do a writing course, I will presumably get sensible feedback from a) a professional and b) a group of peers; helping me to improve to a point where they might even be happy to vouch for me. I won’t have to bother my loved ones, and I know from experience that structured classes focus the mind better than willpower alone.
As I don’t have the resources to go and do something full time, I’m currently pondering enrolling in an evening class. I’ve talked myself in and out of it four times now, for reasons that are mostly incarnations of “I dunno if it’ll be a good use of my time or not.” £85 (the price of 10 evening classes on The Art and Craft of Children’s Writing at The University of Edinburgh, as my frinstance) feels like a lot to spend if it turns out not to be useful – but it’s pretty cheap if it helps me to move forward rather than sitting here whinging.
What say you, internet? Have you ever taken a writing class? Did you find it helpful?
12 Books in 12 Months 
September 11, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Do it
Fear of failure is crippling; it will eat you alive. Fear will keep you where you are. Fear is the mind killer, the little death.
Do it.
Do it now.
September 12, 2012 at 3:56 pm
OK, well none of the ones I’ve found in Edinburgh start *right* now, but maybe in a couple of weeks… But I will be brave till then.
September 11, 2012 at 7:59 pm
I took one, once, with a pretty established author. It was amazing and taught me things I’d never even thought about, but it was really because of him. He didn’t try to teach writing, actually. More on how to refine your own.
September 12, 2012 at 3:58 pm
That sounds good – the one I was thinking about is being run by a kids author with a few books out, so I was thinking I might read some of those to get an idea of her first..
September 13, 2012 at 2:51 am
Probably best way to figure out if the class is right.
September 11, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I took a few courses at the University of Toronto’s learning annex. I was on track to get a Creative Writing Certificate but moved only 4 courses shy of its completion. Comsidering each course was roughly $800 for 7 weeks, Say go for it!
I was like you and was super sceptical about it. I figured those of us with the storytelling ability will naturally figure things out but sadly that’s not the case. I found it was absolutely worth enrolling and it was a highlight of my week.
Try it out for one course and see how you like it. When it comes to craft development and experiences, there’s no harm in trying something new!
September 12, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Ouch! I guess if you’re paying that much it was a high quality course though? I think you’re right though, no harm trying once!
September 12, 2012 at 10:00 am
I have been a student on some writing course; including some that were quite pricey! Here’s a couple of tips I would recommend before you spend money on a course:
1) Google the name of the person teaching the class. Look at what comes up. Not every writer has to have pages of listings on Amazon but it might be helpful if they’ve had some experience in the writing world.
2) Find out what the class size is. One writing class I went to had almost 20 people in it which made it difficult to get round everyone.
3) What format will the classes be? Workshop? Will it involve writing in the class? Is work circulated around in advance? What type of feedback will you be required to give? This leads onto my next tip.
4) Work out how much extra time you will need to devote to doing coursework outside of the class. The class might be 2 hours every Tuesday evening but you can expect up to 6 hours of doing prep work; perhaps more if work is circulated in advance. It’s worth considering so you’re not frantically scribbling notes on the bus to class (something I was quite guilty of doing!).
5) Put on your thick skin. It can be daunting when a room full of people are critiquing your writing but you can get some valuable feedback.
Hope this helps and let us know if you decide to take the plunge! I’ve met some great people at writing classes that are great impromptu proof readers (and handy for a writing chat or two).
September 12, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Brilliant tips there Laura, thank you very much! I did my research and had all but made up my mind to enrol… but the class I was thinking of is now full! I will keep my eyes peeled for more.
September 12, 2012 at 1:11 pm
So I have my MLitt in Creative Writing from Glasgow Uni, and it has helped me no end. But how? From the workshop element. I was in a group of brilliant writers, all of whom could critique my work. Then we were friends, and having a network of writers to contact and meet with is the best resource any writer could possibly have. So go for it, so long as you get to meet people and take advantage of that. It’s the people that make the learning, so keep that in mind.
September 12, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Thanks Bethany, that’s really helpful. I think over the past couple of years I’ve been too solitary and secretive with what I’ve produced, so it’s time for me to start talking to people!
September 12, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I think it’s worth saving money for a good quality one. I felt like I should do something a year or so ago, so I signed up for a Writer’s Bureau course. It was very cheap for a comprehensive creative writing course and you do get what you pay for. Not that it’s terrible but the focus is entirely on making money instead of really honing your skill, and involves doing lots of tedious assignments that have nothing to do with anything I want to write. I only wanted to do a course (I’m on the non-fiction bit and probably won’t bother to do the fiction bit because it’s at a level I’m pretty sure wouldn’t add much to my experience so far) just to give me a few deadlines and make me accountable and it does that, and my tutor is good, but nothing more. It’s making me write stuff I wouldn’t write, but not making me a better writer.
Of course, if I’d wanted to I could have done a more focussed course on fiction and that might have been better, but I just wanted to expand my horizons a bit.
I really want to save to do a residential Arvon course. A friend of mine did the American equivalent and said it was so much better than even his master’s in creative writing. Since taking that course he’s made his first big sales of stories and got an agent for a novel.
September 12, 2012 at 4:15 pm
The Arvon courses do look amazing actually. I’ve entered a few competitions with a place on one of those as a prize, but no joy so far… but you’re right, no reason why I can’t save up for one myself! Especially as the evening course in Edinburgh I was thinking about is now full (that’s what I get for havering about it on here instead of just signing up!). Thanks for your comment 🙂
September 25, 2012 at 12:51 am
The Art and Craft of Children’s Writing course looks like so much fun! I’ve just booked a one way ticket to Edinburgh for 2013 and am very seriously looking at signing up for that class!
My first writing course was a Diploma in Professional Writing – it was online through a reputable Australian university and I absolutely LOVED IT. I learned so much and all the teachers and students were just so supportive and helpful in offering constructive criticism and positive feedback. The course itself was really great in that it looked at all the different ways of being creative and honing ideas, without advocating a particular style (or genre) of writing, and also offered the opportunity to partake in loads of voluntary exercises. It was the perfect mix of learning and support group.
After the success of that course I decided to sign up for a Masters of Creative Writing at my local university. Unfortunately the “craft” of writing aspect of the course has not been nearly as good as the last one, and whilst I still benefit from receiving feedback from a room full of writers, most of them are “literary” writers and have little to no understanding or interest in genre fiction and so much of the feedback is unprofitable for a fantasy writer such as myself. Comments usually end up something like: If it’s set in modern times then the protagonist needs an iPad; where are the computers?; You can’t name your town after a town that actually exists if it doesn’t look the same; Harry Potter has no technology because it was set in the 50s (You should’ve seen my face at that one!).
That said, it is through the course that I have met a writer who has since become a close friend and writing buddy who I now talk through everything with. That in itself has been worth joining up/paying for the course.
For me, I’ve found that having a support group of writers that really understand what you’re trying to do is essential. It’s such a solitary activity, and up until that first course I was too afraid to show anyone anything. The benefits of a writing course are so worth the time and money if you find the right people and teachers. If nothing else this Masters course is helping me to reach deadlines (not just write when I’m “in the mood”), as well as teaching me to better receive criticism and, more importantly, filter it; I’ve come to realise that amongst certain circles I know my genre better (find your ideal reader/s!), and to be confident in my own work and what I want to achieve despite the naysayers.
Hope that helps and sorry for the essay – I didn’t realise I had so much to say on the matter! 🙂