I sometimes hear people say that writing courses produce carbon-copy writers who know nothing about the publishing industry - writers whose work is bland, formulaic and self-absorbed.Nonsense.
At least, in my experience.
I did an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa Uni. All the tutors are publishing professionals and their aim is to help apprentice writers to become authors. And they’ve a pretty good strike rate too, with many writers going on to get agents, publish work or find jobs in the industry.
So what exactly does the course offer that you couldn’t get working alone? I’d say that the course structure is 50% about developing your craft and 50% about developing business sense.
Workshops and one-on-one meetings with a tutor are intended to help you turn an idea into a manuscript.
Guest lecturers and the publishing module give you advice on turning the manuscript into a published book.
My first novel, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant, went through this process (kicking and screaming at some points, certainly). Seven other students and two tutors helped me beat it into shape. They looked at areas like story arc, word choice and my submission letter. We talked about its place in the market. A visiting speaker became my agent and sold it in the month before I graduated.The course provided a hothouse atmosphere for learning. Perhaps I might have been published eventually without the knowledge I gained there, but it would have been a much rougher road.
I’m not saying the course was perfect – after the occasional lecture you came out wondering whether it was worth the tuition fees (a quick bit of maths would give you the rate per lecture which was pretty high!). There were also times when group critiques hurt more than the dentist’s chair.
But for the camaraderie, the inspiration and the pressure to get your behind in the chair and write, it was fantastic. I still meet with my tutor group, two years on. They beat my latest novel, How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini, into shape.Was I just lucky with my choice of course? I’d love to hear your point of view.
Elen Caldecott
About Elen: Elen Caldecott’s debut novel How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant was shortlsited for the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize. Her second book How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini was published by Bloomsbury in July. Elen lives in Bristol with her husband Simon.
Go to Elen Caldecott's own website »
Read more about Elen Caldecott at the Bloomsbury Publishing website »
Abigail Jackson on August 3, 2010
Interesting.
I'll be off to uni in September to do a BA in Creative Writing, mainly because I wanted a degree in something I would really enjoy doing, but also so I could meet other writers and share the novel I'm working on to my tutors, who are all published authors. I can only hope my course is as effective and helpful as yours was.
Cressida Downing on August 4, 2010
Hi Elen,
A writer friend of mine is doing an MA in Creative Writing currently, but has also just done a week's Arvon course. She gets practical support from the courses, but also a sense of camaraderie.
I think they can be great for making the solitary process something you can share. Also having a structure helps those of us with difficulties starting - or finishing!
Cressida
Andrea on August 25, 2010
I think most people would love to do such a course, but the problem is that many write as a hobby rather than a career choice when leaving school. The cost of the courses, let alone the time required to attend lectures and complete coursework is very prohibitive, especially when trying to hold down a job and in many cases - family responsibilities too.
I can see why the accusation of formulaic work is given, but it's the originality of an idea, the spark, which always makes a great story. Why go it alone when you could learn so much from others? It's no different than going to Uni to learn any other craft, ultimately you become more skilled at the end of it.
Haulwen Nicholas on September 15, 2010
Hi there,
Elen's first book was fantastic and her second I must get but not got around to yet.
I think Elen is right that a course would help. I have finished my first book but trying to get friends and family to proof read it for me is proving a problem. They read it say fantastic that it is great!! But don't really help. Is it a good story is it written well? I don't know.
Unfortunatley I'm unable to go to Uni and study at this moment in my life, so I have a long hard slog to see if my work is any good or not, whilst fighting illness and working. Elen thanks for being my inspiration to get around to doing what i have dreamed of doing for years. Hearing of your success from your sister, made me believe there was a chance, so thanks for the inspiration.
Tsubasadreamer on October 24, 2010
Hello Elen,
I agree with Haulwen Nicholas, for many or us being able to go to uni to complete a writing course is an out of reach dream. Having family responsibilities and a duty to support others as well as yourself has left many, no choice but to go it alone. Although I am happy to say for those who cannot take the course, there is hope in things such as, Writer's circles, Writer's conferences and Arvon.
However it is a constant worry that we are still lacking the vital constructive criticism that we need to improve our writing. Is my writing accomplished enough? Do my characters come across the way I would like them too? Do my readers feel my characters are believable? Why does my writing not reflect the essence of my story? These are skills that I am sure I would have developed if I had studied in the field. It’s also a worry that I will never know what I am lacking.