Should I take a creative writing class?

Question

I am interested in writing. I do not plan on getting an english degree or anything like that. I just want to write the best I can as a hobby. I am considering taking a creative writing class and have read a little bit about them, but what I've read sounds a bit discouraging. For example, I've read that creative writing classes are basically students teaching students how to write. I am not interested in getting tips from others who probably know as little as I do. I would love to take this class if it'll be truly beneficial, but I would hate to have to waste time and money on it by finding that it is nothing but an amature writer's get together. I wonder if reading good books on creative writing might be a better idea. Also, I've read that these classes could turn you into a generic writer. I guess it might depend on the each class. The professor I could take this class with has been published, so I guess he would know what he is talking about, but if the majority of class time is just reading and correcting other peoples amateur work, well, I'd rather just read a good creative writing book. If you have taken a creative writing class, could you please tell me why it would be a good or bad idea, and if I should take a class or just read a good cw book. Thanks!

Answer 1

Novelists teach. Poets teach. Journalists, short story authors, and bloggers teach. All teach creative writing courses. Some are published and well-known, and others are known more in literary circles.



I've taken 3: one almost 20 years ago, one about 5 years ago, and one 3 years ago. Each teacher was wonderful, and each helped me write what I wanted to write. All three of my courses were in person, but I understand that there are some online creative writing courses like the Gotham Writer's Workshop (http://www.writingclasses.com/).



You also might try a local community college or university. Sometimes famous writers are "hiding" out in your town just teaching away...



It's better to take a creative writing course than not to. At least the class will provide some structure and give you deadlines to work around. Some teachers or professors allow you to read aloud, or if they recognize that you're shy, they'll work with you quietly.



You could teach yourself, too, by reading writers magazines like "The Writer" and "Writer's Digest," and books with writing exercises in them. Some exercises you do are so good that even if you do the same exercise twice--6 months apart--you'll end up with 2 very different pieces of work.



Don't forget to check out the writing and publishing section of your local bookstore. If cost is an issue, take a notebook or journal with you and take notes.



See who published your favorite books, whether fiction or nonfiction. Find that publisher's website, and see if that publisher also publishes writing guides.



Best wishes!

Answer 2

Absolutely, you should take the class, especially if the teacher is a published, and presumably, a writer at work. You can't go wrong. It'll give you a chance to be around other writers you can work with and learn from. Writers are readers, so even if they are new writers they will likely have great insights to share. Every creative writing class I've ever taken in college, at conferences or through continuing education programs have required reading and critiquing other writer's work. It's a great learning experience because if you work hard and really pay attention you'll grow two or three times faster as a writer by learning through other's mistakes with the guidance of a professional; formulating your own critiques and listening to what others have to say, including the professor, about a piece of work creates a priceless learning environment especially for new writers. This process will really help you learn the craft and become a more thoughtful, careful writer. It does help though to have others in the class who put in the work, and usually when people are paying for something like that, they often give it their all... but if not, you'll always have the professor to help guide and teach you. Good luck!

Answer 3

Here in FLA, USA, there was a recent scandal involving the standardized testing that the Bush administration mandated (No Child Left Behind). What has happened here, and other places I'm sure, is that the schools now teach the FCAT only. All of the public schools' curricula is based on the test, the whole test, and nothing but the test. As a result, the kids keep doing the same exercises over and over, and as a result of that, the kids are all writing the same. They all have the same style and use the same words and phrases. The state recently accused the teachers of cheating, because the kids all write the same way! They use the same similes and metaphors because they're all being taught this GD test and nothing else. If there is a problem in taking creative writing, and I'm not sure that there is, it's that danger that your voice will be the same as the rst of the class's. The good thing about the class, is that the teacher is giving assignments that force you to focus your energy on a given idea or theme instead of drifting. I'd give the class a good try and see where it leads you.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

I took two semesters of creative writing and thought it was very beneficial. My professor was also a published writer so he not only helped us with the writing process, he also gave advice on getting published. There was some reading/critiqueing classmates' work, but he also gave us a lot of professional work to read so that we could try to match the author's style - this was really helpful in developing us as writers. Honestly I also thought reading amateurs (and getting their advice) would be a waste of time, but I learned that I was wrong. Even though someone is a new or unpublished writer, they might still have something to contribute to the writing process - they can still provide valuable input and serve as examples (good and bad) of how to write and what to write about.

Answer 6

I took one of these, and to be honest I really, really liked it. They don't teach you how to write, they help you improve your writing. I spent most of my classes writing a story. Usually, you share your works and the others in the class critique it, what is good and what can be better. They don't harp at you about grammar or technicalities like allusion and symbolism, it's simply about the writing.

Answer 7

I love viewing television, The pet is loved by me shows, the medical shows and the Judges and judge shows

Answer 8

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