How to Choose a Writing Course

From MFA Creative Writing Programs to Writing Vacations or Retreats

Aug 31, 2009

Choosing a creative writing course, from a 3 or 4 year degree course, to a weekend writing retreat should be done with care.

Many people dream of writing a book. And many people, including freelance writers and journalists, consider turning their talents to creative writing, and some may consider taking a creative writing course.

Creative writing classes can be expensive, therefore when making a big financial commitment it’s important not to let the dream of becoming a writer, get in the way of taking a long cold look at the people offering to turn the dream into a reality.

Some courses - especially online, or vacation retreats - may be run by people with little or no proper credentials or enthusiastic amateurs masquerading as "facilitators", so before making a decision remember, buyer beware!

No-one can teach someone how to be talented, but there are skills and techniques involved in every form of creative writing which can be taught, and there are ways to check on the sort of guidance and advice that students will receive. The following checklist is a useful guide to the elements to enquire about when examining the quality and value of a writing course...

Size of Groups or Classes

It’s important to know the numbers of people involved in classes. The larger the groups, the less personal attention each student will receive.

Personal Tutorials

Every piece of creative writing is unique, therefore it’s important that each student receives personal one-to-one guidance which is relevant to their own writing. The more personal tutorials and critiques, the better.

Structure of the Course

Courses should be structured, in such a way that it’s evident that useful skills and techniques of creative writing will be passed on, with clear goals and objectives. While it may be tempting to dream of spending every day toying with a muse and being “creative”, writers can do that very well on their own, with no need to pay expensive class fees for the privilege!

Credentials of Tutors

Tutors on creative writing courses should show proof that they have practised the skills that they propose to pass on or teach. In other words, it’s important to find out if the tutors on the course, have any track record as writers themselves.

Of course, a professional writer with superb writing credentials doesn’t necessarily make a great tutor, but a tutor who has no real experience of writing, can only offer theories.

The best mix, is to find a professional writer who has worked in the field of editing, or teaching, and who knows how to pass on their knowledge in a useful way to other writers.

Before choosing a writing course, examine the credentials of the tutors, by checking what they have done for themselves and for others. Success usually leave a trail, especially on the internet. A simple Google search of the tutors name should show up their track record, either as writers or as teachers.

Testimonials

One way to find out about the value of a course is to check what people who have been on it, say about it.

Post questions on online discussion groups and find out what other people say about it.

Personal Contact

One final thing is to establish personal contact with the organizers and use personal judgment about how quickly they respond to queries, how detailed the answers are to questions. By getting a feel for how they deal with potential students, it will be possible to gauge the professionalism of the organizers.

The copyright of the article How to Choose a Writing Course in Freelance Writing is owned by Janice Hally. Permission to republish How to Choose a Writing Course in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.