Let's silence the creative writing course snobs

These days, it is normal for authors to go to writing workshops – or teach them. So why does the idea they produce derivative writers persist?What makes a writer? How do you become one? When I was younger, even asking those questions seemed to disqualify me: a writer isn’t something one becomes, I thought, a writer just is. Despite writing, rewriting and reading all through my 20s, I was no closer to completing, let alone publishing, a novel. I realised I would need help if I was going to succeed, and I applied to several creative writing MAs.This was, depending on who you ask, either a decision that condemned my writing to being forever derivative and tired, or, an important step on the path towards the publication of my first book. The debate about the value of a degree in creative writing has been done, one might think, to death – good writing depends on an innate facility that cannot be taught, versus good writing depends on devoted time, support, and elements of craft that can be studied – yet it continues to rage. This week, a much-lauded debut novel was criticised in a review by an author for its “MA creative writing-speak” and “oh so tediously writing workshop description”. For some, “writing workshop” is shorthand for bad. But why?'One must have in mind between 68 and 73% of the ending' before starting a story, my teacher once advised Related: Buy a cat, stay up late, don't drink: top 10 writers’ tips on writing Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #creative writing #writing workshops #writing workshop #important step

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Let's silence the creative writing course snobs'


Swiss Secrets to Stoking Creativity: St. Gallen Publishing Course

Sarah Dickman of Odyl attended inaugural International Publishing Management Course hosted by the Frankfurt Academy and reflects on the importance of continuing education. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-10-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #gallen publishing #frankfurt academy


The Power of Cookbook Writing

Michael Anthony, executive chef at Gramercy Tavern, discusses how writing the Gramercy Tavern Cookbook changed his life. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #cookbook writing #executive chef


Why Is The Business Of Creativity Such An Oxymoron?

Judging by the number of TED talks or books bouncing up and down the bestseller lists offering to help us bottle that elusive djinn, we should be living in the Age Of Creativity. If that's true, though, why are so many books and talks about creativity filled with so many clichés? How can books... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-10-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #creativity works


One Year Later, Medium Is Changing the Way Its Writers Write and Its Readers Read

It was just more than a year ago that Ev Williams and Biz Stone created the publishing platform Medium. The Internet officially met the site in August 2012, and since then, Medium’s popularity has grown enough for even the most ske ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-10-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Baldacci to write children's fantasy novel

Thriller writer David Baldacci is to publish fantasy novel The Finisher with Pan Macmillan... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #write children #pan macmillan


San Diego Reader Launches eBook Publishing Program to Re-Introduce Great Writing to New Readers

The San Diego Reader is mining gold from its rich archives and releasing the treasures as a collection of six eBooks, the first installment of a series that will showcase the literary quality and historic value of a collection spanning more than 40 y ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Trevor wins new short story writing award

Irish writer William Trevor has been named winner of the inaugural Charleston & Chichester... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #named winner


Broadway becomes The Great Write Way

Roberta Pereira and Brisa Trinchero love working as Broadway producers and relaxing with a good book. But one night over drinks at Sardi's, the duo wondered why there weren't any good Broadway reads. A few cocktails later, they decided to start a Broadway-themed publishing firm, and Dress Circle... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2013-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #give people


'My First Novel' editor Alan Watt aims to demystify the creative process

Alan Watt, who edited the anthology 'My First Novel,' invited 25 writers to contribute recollections about how they got their start. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #creative process


Oswald wins Warwick Prize for Writing

Poet Alice Oswald has won the third £25,000 Warwick Prize for Writing. It is the first time... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


J.K. Rowling will write new movie set in 'Potter' universe

J.K. Rowling will write the screenplay for a film adaptation of the Potter book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' and the movie will center on the adventures of textbook author Newt Scamander. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #movie set #potter book #film adaptation #fantastic beasts


J.K. Rowling will write new movie set in 'Potter' universe (+video)

J.K. Rowling will write the screenplay for a film adaptation of the Potter book 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' and the movie will center on the adventures of textbook author Newt Scamander. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #movie set #potter book #film adaptation #fantastic beasts


J K Rowling to write film

J K Rowling will write a new film based on Beasts and Where to Find Them, one of her Comic Relief... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #film based #comic relief


Sophie Hannah to write new Agatha Christie novel

Crime author Sophie Hannah is to write a new Agatha Christie novel, featuring the author's... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sophie hannah #agatha christie


Marano hired at Kobo Writing Life

Kobo has hired former Waterstones digital content acquisitions manager Diego Marano to head up... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Ron Burgundy will write a memoir (+video)

Ron Burgundy will be the name behind a book titled 'Let Me Off at the Top: My Classy Life and Other Musings.' Ron Burgundy is Will Ferrell's alter ego in the 2004 film 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ron burgundy #book titled #classy life #alter ego


Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell's Anchorman' alter ego, will write a memoir

Ron Burgundy will be the name behind a book titled 'Let Me Off at the Top: My Classy Life and Other Musings.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ron burgundy #alter ego #book titled #classy life


“Hacking Hollywood” Contributors On Martin Scorsese’s Courage, Mel Brooks’s Rebellious Creativity, And More

Hollywood’s complicated relationship with ingenuity is the subject of our new ebook anthology. Fast Company has long been fascinated by Hollywood’s relationship with ingenuity; the industry relies on original thinking to create entertainment that captivates and shapes society yet it also... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2013-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #business models #status quo #shake things #mad men #retail outlets #expanded version


Random House Launches SF/Fantasy Writing Community

Suvudu, Random House's online destination for science fiction and fantasy fans, launched Suvudu Universe, an online community for SF and fantasy bloggers. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #random house #science fiction #online community


George R. R. Martin Smashes Guitar of Musician Who Told Him to 'Write Like the Wind'

em>Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin made a special appearance at the show of comedy musicians Paul & Storm during Comic-Con this weekend, smashing one of their guitars in (faux) outrage after they launched into their song "Write Like the Wind," which admonishes the fantasy... Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2013-07-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #special appearance