Ive read a couple of posts that I think are pretty snobbish, or dismissive, about Creative Writing courses. Comments like they dont make you a better writer and Shakespeare never went to university. Trite remarks like this annoy me a bit. I left school at 16, without the opportunity at the time to go to university. Im pretty much self-taught (like Shakespeare?) but have always loved poetry and read widely. However, Ive hankered after doing a degree for some time, and now I am, through the Open College of the Arts. Prior to starting this degree, I did not feel confident enough about my work to submit for publication. Because of the encouragement from my tutors, I began submitting and have had several poems published in good journals. My writing confidence has improved substantially, and I apprecaite the insight my tutors give me, and the challenges they set. What is more, the degree is great fun. Through the years (Im 56 now) Ive written occasionally for TV and for some well known comedians, so yes, I can see that a degree is not essential for some success, but absolute dismissals of degree courses are unfairly negative. My degree sets me challenges, and gives me great personal fulfilment, and why shouldnt I, and people like me who do not have an academic history, take the opportunity to improve themselves? Also, many wonderful writers supplement their incomes by tutoring - and pass on their knowledge and experience. No, Shakespeare didnt go to university, but Im not Shakespeare, and Im glad of the chance to formally explore my abilities, and its doing me good. Rant over.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:15:09 +0000
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