My First Creative Writing Class - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T09:32:26Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/my-first-creative-writing?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A184925&feed=yes&xn_auth=noP.S. To those considering tak…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-26:537324:Comment:1850352009-02-26T22:47:35.567ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
P.S. To those considering taking a course or buying a book, I will condense everything into three words that sums them up:<br />
<br />
<b>Show, don't tell.</b><br />
<br />
Let me know where I can send the bill.
P.S. To those considering taking a course or buying a book, I will condense everything into three words that sums them up:<br />
<br />
<b>Show, don't tell.</b><br />
<br />
Let me know where I can send the bill. I graduated with a minor in c…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-26:537324:Comment:1850302009-02-26T22:45:25.859ZBenjamin Sobieckhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BenjaminSobieck
I graduated with a minor in creative writing, which still meant a thorough dousing in the university's program. I can't say I got a lot out of it.<br />
<br />
The class was divided between those who came into it talented and those who, er, um, didn't. That was how people left, too. The lessons deconstructed novels into their working parts, which was helpful to a point. Most of the program, however, revolved around group critiques, which were too soft for their own good.<br />
<br />
The benefit came from being…
I graduated with a minor in creative writing, which still meant a thorough dousing in the university's program. I can't say I got a lot out of it.<br />
<br />
The class was divided between those who came into it talented and those who, er, um, didn't. That was how people left, too. The lessons deconstructed novels into their working parts, which was helpful to a point. Most of the program, however, revolved around group critiques, which were too soft for their own good.<br />
<br />
The benefit came from being <i>required</i> to write more, not because we talked about writing. I would've engaged the spigot more than the pen had I not been forced to write. And I got better. I seldom read books about wri…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-26:537324:Comment:1849252009-02-26T17:17:16.393ZDana Stabenowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/storyknife
I seldom read books about writing, but my friend Kerri told me I had to read King's. So I bought it.<br />
<br />
And there it sits on my to-read shelf.
I seldom read books about writing, but my friend Kerri told me I had to read King's. So I bought it.<br />
<br />
And there it sits on my to-read shelf. I like Stephen King's book to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-18:537324:Comment:1831412009-02-18T23:27:34.096ZJulie Lomoehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
I like Stephen King's book too. In my course, so far the instructor hasn't talked at all about his own work or approach, but I'm planning to ask him to do just that.
I like Stephen King's book too. In my course, so far the instructor hasn't talked at all about his own work or approach, but I'm planning to ask him to do just that. I can empathize with you abou…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-18:537324:Comment:1831392009-02-18T23:25:51.293ZJulie Lomoehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
I can empathize with you about taking graduate writing classes. I got my MFA in fine arts at Columbia University, and it was a true ordeal. This was in the 60's. Abstract art was still in, and I was the only figurative painter, so they didn't know what to do with me. I didn't learn a thing. Only bit of advice I remember is Robert Motherwell saying, "Always have a drink before you go into the studio." (He was the big-shot artist in residence that year.)<br />
<br />
Thanks for your "lion" comment. I'm a…
I can empathize with you about taking graduate writing classes. I got my MFA in fine arts at Columbia University, and it was a true ordeal. This was in the 60's. Abstract art was still in, and I was the only figurative painter, so they didn't know what to do with me. I didn't learn a thing. Only bit of advice I remember is Robert Motherwell saying, "Always have a drink before you go into the studio." (He was the big-shot artist in residence that year.)<br />
<br />
Thanks for your "lion" comment. I'm a Leo, and I love the big cats - little ones too, like my cats Beep and Lunesta (yes, the latter is named for the sleeping pill.) So far, the class is fine - but then I don't have to submit anything till St. Patrick's Day. I echo something Stephen King…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-18:537324:Comment:1831082009-02-18T21:31:57.709ZEDWARD C MORGANhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
I echo something Stephen King said in "On Writing." A writing course is at least a place where writing can be taken very seriously.<br />
<br />
I think if you can get good, solid, specific critiques, it might be useful.<br />
<br />
I've sat in on a few workshops and such here and there and not found many useful, but that is because they are often vague or very elementary. That said, I very much enjoy listening to authors talk about their approaches, how the developed a plot or character, etc.<br />
<br />
I must say the best…
I echo something Stephen King said in "On Writing." A writing course is at least a place where writing can be taken very seriously.<br />
<br />
I think if you can get good, solid, specific critiques, it might be useful.<br />
<br />
I've sat in on a few workshops and such here and there and not found many useful, but that is because they are often vague or very elementary. That said, I very much enjoy listening to authors talk about their approaches, how the developed a plot or character, etc.<br />
<br />
I must say the best writing class I ever took was a 3-day news writing course conducted by the Associated Press Managing Editors many years ago. You'd write a story, hand it to them and they'd rip it to shreds in front of you. Then you'd go rewrite it. The critiques were brutal, honest and dead-on. When I left that class, I was ready to run out and strangle anyone who used a passive verb or improper grammar. I probably need to take it again. Okay, Julie, I'm going to wei…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-10:537324:Comment:1812562009-02-10T19:45:26.380ZDana Stabenowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/storyknife
Okay, Julie, I'm going to weigh in on the dark side.<br />
<br />
I had to take four graduate writing classes for my MFA, and I couldn't get out of them fast enough. Too many of the students weren't writers, they were using writing as therapy. One of them out of a class of twenty-five had something sensible to say, constructive criticism I could use in the work, and that includes the teacher. It was an almost (trying to be fair) complete waste of my time, but I had to have the credits to get my degree so I…
Okay, Julie, I'm going to weigh in on the dark side.<br />
<br />
I had to take four graduate writing classes for my MFA, and I couldn't get out of them fast enough. Too many of the students weren't writers, they were using writing as therapy. One of them out of a class of twenty-five had something sensible to say, constructive criticism I could use in the work, and that includes the teacher. It was an almost (trying to be fair) complete waste of my time, but I had to have the credits to get my degree so I was well and truly stuck. I'd say what I learned most in these workshops was endurance. Not necessarily a bad ability in a writer, but not what I signed up for, or paid for, if it comes to that.<br />
<br />
I've heard Jennifer Cruisie talk about how wonderful her critique group is, and probably the difference is that the people in it have hand-picked each other. They can trust each other to actually read the work, and have something useful to say about it.<br />
<br />
I would never go into a creative writing class cold ever again. Anyone who does has the courage of a lion, including you! Umm, what's wrong with semi-c…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-08:537324:Comment:1806112009-02-08T22:27:54.678ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Umm, what's wrong with semi-colons and parentheses? :)
Umm, what's wrong with semi-colons and parentheses? :) The first class turned out to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-08:537324:Comment:1806052009-02-08T22:11:15.832ZJulie Lomoehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
The first class turned out to be informative and enjoyable - not all that different from other workshops and writers' groups I've been in, except that the instructor asked people to be honest and not sugarcoat their feedback.<br />
<br />
I got one of the instructor's novels from the library - excellent, but definitely "literary" (as evidenced by all the semi-colons and parentheses). Nothing like anything I'd aspire to write, so that makes me feel less inclined to agonize over about his possible reactions.
The first class turned out to be informative and enjoyable - not all that different from other workshops and writers' groups I've been in, except that the instructor asked people to be honest and not sugarcoat their feedback.<br />
<br />
I got one of the instructor's novels from the library - excellent, but definitely "literary" (as evidenced by all the semi-colons and parentheses). Nothing like anything I'd aspire to write, so that makes me feel less inclined to agonize over about his possible reactions. Excellent advice, Beth. Thank…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-02-02:537324:Comment:1796962009-02-02T21:38:14.932ZJulie Lomoehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/julielomoe
Excellent advice, Beth. Thanks!
Excellent advice, Beth. Thanks!