creative writing

[puddicat]

has anyone one done a course in this, and what did they think, i am thinking of going to college to learn the rudiments, in the autumn, did they find it beneficial or a load of rubbish

[starmack]

Sounds like a great opportunity if you have the flair for writing....

[Hellyon]

I did a course a few years ago, I suspect they vary though. The one I did I found useful as each week we were given a topic or a title to write about, one I remeber was write a piece with the title 'A biscuit stuck to the bathroom door'. The following week we read our pieces out to the group then the rest of then they gave a critique. (It's not one to do if you are sensitive to critiscism as one woman was and got in a huff every week) I enjoyed it and got a lot out of it - like my best pieces were the ones I'd done in a hurry!!

[fandangle]

I got an M.A in Creative Writing and I also did a year-long module in it for my B.A. It was the first course that spurred me to attempt the M.A.
Getting the professional help and guidance enables you to hone your 'craft' and you are able to see your work with what's called a 'fresh eye'. Going on a course will teach you the best way to present your work and ideas. It will teach you about different structures, word-formations, tone, colour, mood, texture, humour, mixing senses. Also, where the power and the flow is improved and how.
On the first course, I found that the tutor knew how to generate the ideas in me, when I thought I was dry ; for example, pick a colour and give it a human voice in a text or poem, make it come alive. Does it like being pink or blue, if not, why not ? If it does, what does it like about our world................what does the world think of it...........etc. You will learn a lot about different voices in your work and perspective, just like in art.
Go for it ! You won't regret it. One day you'll be able to help someone else with the technical knowledge of it.
But just remember, it's subjective, learn to take the criticism because not everyone reads your work in the same way as you do.

[MrsJ1]

I did a creative writing course at college which really boosted my confidence to share my work with others (we too had to read out our pieces to the class!) I've also just finished a short course with the Open University which was excellent. I say "Go for it!"