Courses for Writers
I mentioned back in November that I would write about some of the courses I have done over the years – the good and the not-so-good bits. The good ones I have named. The not-so-good ones I haven’t, because they might well have improved by now. And there hasn’t been a single course that I’ve attended where I haven’t learned something about writing.
Firstly, why should you, as a writer, go on a writing course?
- As I said above, you WILL learn something new, however experienced a writer you may be, and whatever your genre and level of expertise.
It may be about writing itself – structure, plot, characterisation, dialogue, pacing etc. It may be about the basics – grammar and punctuation.
You will also learn about publishing and selling your writing, including editing, agents, submissions, competitions, self-publishing and marketing. Things have changed so much in publishing even in the past ten years that it’s well-worth keeping up to date with how the industry works.
2. Feedback is SO important for writers, and courses can be a really good way of finding out if your writing works for other people – both the experts running the courses and your fellow writers.
3. Going on courses will motivate you into improving and continuing your writing. There’s nothing like a few days or a week being totally immersed in writing to keep you going and realising what you are capable of.
4. Taking part in course exercises or working on your own projects will increase your portfolio. Nothing you write need ever be wasted. Make sure you keep all your writing – who knows? A suitable competition might crop up, while trends in subject matter change all the time.
5. And writing courses can be very sociable. You may well develop new friendships and even a writing buddy or two!
Courses can be in person or, nowadays, there are so many online opportunities.
The courses that I have found the most useful in recent years have been online with the Curtis Brown literary agency.
I did one six-week course in which there was a recorded video lesson every week from an established writer in my chosen genre, plus exercises, some of which you were encouraged to submit to fellow writers for feedback. At the end, you could also pay an extra fee for tutor feedback.
4-week courses cost from £135; 6-week courses £230; 3, 6 and 8-month courses range from £1500 upwards.
Here’s the link to the Curtis Brown page.
Curtis Brown also run online Bootcamps – these are for a month at a time, where you are given a prompt every day for a 700-word piece and asked to submit a piece every three days for feedback from fellow participants. I did two of these bootcamps and found them ideal to get me back into a regular routine. They are extremely reasonably priced at £40 each.
Hundreds of courses
If you search for writing courses on the Worldwide Web, you will find hundreds. They can be run by literary agents, colleges, groups, companies and individuals. I would suggest trying to find someone who’s been on the course that interests you – personal recommendation is the best. Or contact the course provider to ask the questions you have.
Not at all conducive
Having said that, a writing friend went on a most productive retreat down in Devon. Daytime was spent writing in your own room or, if preferred, in quiet company in the public areas. All meals were provided. In the evenings, there was plenty of writerly chat with other participants, with readings and critiquing.
I went to the same place more recently and was dismayed to find that I was the only writer of three people staying that week – the other two having won the retreat in a (non-writing) competition. I didn’t find my room particularly conducive to writing all day, and having to creep along a corridor to the bathroom at night was the last straw – I didn’t stay long!
Out of action
And there was the time I went on a residential week’s course in Wales. I’m not naming the venue as the week turned into a disaster! A rather virulent tummy bug hit nearly all the participants. I was out of action for two days and just managed to drive home afterwards instead of joining friends to climb Snowden! But the course itself did give me valuable feedback on the opening of a novel which I am now editing with a view to self-publishing later this year. I was also introduced to the Zig-Zag method of cause and effect for story writing which I now use for all my stories. And I still have, and refer to, my notes on the tutored sessions I was able to attend!
Finally I want to mention a place that I absolutely loved in the eighties and nineties: the Earnley Concourse in West Sussex. It was an adult residential learning centre offering a whole host of courses in a lovely setting, complete with garden peacocks! I attended eight courses there, on art, croquet and photography, as well as three excellent writing courses.
One of those was run by Frederick E Smith, author of the novel 633 Squadron which was made into a film starring Cliff Robertson and George Chakiris (on TV again this Christmas!). Such a shame the centre closed many years ago and the site is now being considered for housing.
I hope I’ve given you some encouragement to look at going on a writing course. Do let me know if you have your own experiences to share here.
Next time, I’ll write about Creative Writing webinars and websites.
Happy writing!
Linda
Let's Get Writing 