Creative writing courses, Are they worth doing?

[What-The-F-Man]

Are these only really a necessity if you want to write a book or want to brush up on your poetry skills?

[factor-fiction]

It depends- it could be useful if you are going to be writing copy/adverts etc.
Off topic, but I wanted to say I'm impressed by the range of topics you've asked about and the number of questions asked on your first day on AB. Have you got a team of helpers! I don't think you've even stopped for a meal have you. Make sure you get some sleep.
Tomorrow maybe you can try Music, Law and Q&P as I think you've missed those today!

[What-The-F-Man]

I beg your pardon factor30? Are we issued strict guidelines and are restricted to a certain protocol regarding what where and when we can post? I see you and other users here using many topics to ask questions and answer questions, are new users exempt from this luxury? And for your knowledge i have eaten very well today and will also be getting a great sleep though I don't understand why you have made it your business to know my business, if it's general worry and the need to school, police and educate a new user then that's a great idea if not a little odd. Can I be a little impolite and ask you why the worry only directed towards me and not anyone else?

[factor-fiction]

Interesting response! It must be me, sorry- I got a very similar response a few days ago from someone else when. They never returned.
I'll sign off before I upset anyone else!

[What-The-F-Man]

No please don't leave on my part factor30, as I wanted a reason not to put you o the spot. You said my response is reminiscent of another user that was here recently? Well your first reply was made before my response to it so it looks like I was already being judged. Please make time to get to know new users in the future before throwing wild accusations about as it can sometimes be rather daunting to suddenly be pulled up by what im guessing is an established user?
Anyway no hard feelings and I hope we grow to be good friends that will one day look back at this meeting and laugh at how we met the first time.

[factor-fiction]

I wouldn't want to appear to be awkward. I'll leave it there WTFM and yes maybe we'll meet on Crosswords or somewhere in a few months time and smile

[What-The-F-Man]

Yes factor30 lets. I just hope that you're not lulling me into a false sense of security to lure me into the crosswords section so i can be surrounded and attacked with riddles and rather large words! lol.

[factor-fiction]

"Surrounded and attacked with riddles" lol. At times I feel I'm surrounded by riddles wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma here on AB, and maybe I'm one myself Sorry if I said the wrong thing for you, W-T-F-M..

Hardly anyone pops into Arts & Literature so maybe no-one noticed my error in inadvertently upsetting a newcomer who has contributed so much today to this great site.

Really is Goodnight from me, now here in Tenerife. Mañana.

[What-The-F-Man]

Goodnight factor30.

[andy-hughes]

Writing is a craft, and courses will advise you of certain 'nuts and bolts' techniques which may help you to avoid the most common pitfalls which afflict new writers.

Opinions do vary as to their usefulness - some authors advocate them, others do not.

The best thing is to go in with your mind open and see what you get out of a course, and then go for others - or not, depending on your experience.

If you wish to writ fiction, then a course will assist you in 'building' your story, but of course, with fiction, you also need to be the 'architect' as well - you have to the the vision of your story - that's the hard part.

[factor-fiction]

Some good answers from eddie51 and andy-hughes- far better than mine!. But it seems the poster who asked the question is no longer around.

[factor-fiction]

I agree headwreck-there have been several of these who seem to have a very similar style.

[sandyRoe]

A distinctive style might be useful if someone wanted to be a writer...

[factor-fiction]

To be fair the questioner seemed a pretty creative writer to me judging by his postings yesterday

[carmalee]

IMO the first reply to Factor 30's comments was way over the top and very provocative - however the reply itself was well constructed with a good use of language so perhaps the OP doesn't need a creative writing course.

[barcelonic29]

Im no authority on this as I've never taken one, but personally I'd say if you aren't already good at creative writing then why bother? And if you are, then again, why bother?

I think your time would be better spent doing a more specific literary course to help you learn the style and structure of the medium you're interested in, eg. poetry, novellas, short stories, screenplays etc...

I think though the best thng to do if you know you are a gifted writer is to read a lot of books similar in theme to those you intend to write, and if non-fiction be prepared to do a lot of research so your content is worthy of publication. And again if you are not particularly gifted at writing, then Im not sure if a course will make you proficient enough to succeed. It is important to remember just how competitive the industry is; a lot of great writers don't get published.

I love to play football (soccer) but I know Im not naturally gifted at it so I don't aspire to play professionally as it would be a total waste of my time.

But it is up to your specific circumstances - perhaps you haven't done creative writing in some time and you simply wish to hone your skills. Or perhaps you have written something already and feel it could be improved.

If I were you I would acquire a creative writing book so at least you'd have an idea of the methods you're likely to be taught and can then decide whether you want to take it a step further.

[Khandro]

I can't think of anyone in any branch of the arts (and I have met many) who was any good, who didn't think that they could learn something from someone else; why not try it and see?