Writing is a cherished dream for many people. But how to start out? There are plenty of creative writing courses available to the budding author, but learning from scratch can be a great way to develop a completely unique voice. Conversely if there is no one assessing the work, how can mistakes ever be identified?
Why Self-Teaching?
- Independence: There are no teachers, no deadlines to meet, and most importantly, there's no pressure. Writing without anyone acting as a guide may be daunting, but it also provides the opportunity to get a feel for the medium. Writers are quirky people, and often the best way for a new writer to discover their voice is to get comfortable with their work. It's all about sitting down, and writing in whatever style or genre that feels natural.
- Escape Outside Influences: It's all too easy to fall in love with another writer's work, whether it's that of a classmate or a published novel. The danger is in emulating that writer's style. Homages, pastiches and parodies are all very well, but not if they come at the expense of the writer's own voice. And when the wordsmith in question is just starting out, his or her unique mode of expression may be lost or submerged. It's best that the author's own identity is established first, and writing alone keeps potential influences at bay until the writer is sure of themselves.
- Convenience: New writers will soon discover the way fantastic ideas demand attention at the most inopportune times, but will never appear when they're most needed. Not having set hours in which to write, or learn to write, combined with a handy notebook, means that creative expression can be given full rein.
Why a Writing Course?
- Support Systems: Beginner writers often need help in order to really believe in the integrity of their work. The presence of a tutor or teacher, as well as a class full of similarly nervous people, can boost a new writer's confidence immeasurably.
- Feedback: Having someone around to mark the work can be a great way to pick up beginners' pitfalls. It may be difficult for a new writer to hear criticisms, but these will litter his or her future career, and it's best to break bad habits early.
- Encourages Discipline: All writers must sometimes write in the absence of inspiration, and a writing course will impose due dates for work. Though it may feel odd at first, working when the mood's just not there, the ability to keep writing day in, day out, is the key to producing great writing. All forms from short story to novel require perseverance and knowing that a piece must be done by a certain day can be extremely valuable when it comes forming productive writing habits. It may seem cold to reduce something as utterly creative as writing to simply churning out the words, but that's what it will feel like some days and a new writer needs to be equipped for that.
So Which Way is Best?
There's no right or wrong way to start out as a writer. It's largely a matter of taste as to which route is most suited to a writer. Some may feel their identity as a writer will be compromised if they take a creating writing course. Others may feel terrified at the prospect of writing without any support. In short, self-teaching offers a lot of creative freedom while a course provides much needed structure for the beginning writer. A little of both is ideal, if only to help decide which learning method will best fit the writer's personality.
However, the most important thing a writer can do is just start writing. If self-teaching seems perfect, then put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) right away. There's no reason not to. If a course is the obvious choice, then check the net. Find out what's on offer from the local universities, colleges or institutions. Some will have short courses, others will provide longer term tuition in creative writing. If you're currently studying, if may be possible to take creative writing classes as an extra towards the degree, diploma or other qualification. The point is, if becoming the writer is the dream, start living it as soon as possible. It's amazing how much can be achieved.
