Tell me its worth carrying on

[MagratsHair]

I have written 2 chapters of my novel & planned out the rest of the story chapter by chapter, however I haven't done any writing over the summer but as the kids start school tomorrow I need to restart. I've come to the conclusion over the summer that I need to rewrite the first 2 chapters, which is fine, this is the first writing I have done & I need to find my voice.

However I thought a one day course might benefit me so I googled creative writing courses & after looking at the university ones & Faber ones that cost nearly £3k, they have left me feeling a bit down & that I lack even basic knowledge about writing a book & that I may as well not continue.

If I haven't been on such a course is it even worth carrying on as it seems I know nothing about writing at all?

Hi, I've been loitering on this site for a while and feel a little like you. I've just finished a novel and sent it off to an agent on Monday (yikes!) but beyond a loyal friend's enthusiasm, don't have a lot to go on. I can't afford to do any creative writing courses either, but if have borrowed a couple of books from the library which were helpful, read lots and lots on the internet and for a short while last year wrote some fanfiction which was beta'd by someone with a lot more writing experience.

Also I've just joined a local writing group which I hope will provide me with more constructive input and it's free! Do you have anything like that in your area?

But ultimately, if you enjoy writing then it's definitely worth carrying on. Think how fulfilled you will feel when it's written, even if it is never published. I am so, so pleased that I did it - a lifetime's ambition fulfilled, regardless of what comes next.

Good luck!

I suppose it depends on what you mean by 'worth it' - having a creative outlet is never a waste of time. Are you thinking in terms of publishers etc? I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how difficult this is, but I know there are some mumsnetters with agents/publishers who will know more about this.

Have you tried putting any of your work online to get tips from other writers?

Hi OP! I've just finished a Creative Writing MA, albeit in children's literature and writing. I found it useful, but that's mainly because I work in a related field anyway, and this particular course had quite a large critical theory/social studies element that was relevant to me.

Creative writing courses are certainly not the be all and end all. I've heard many stories from friends and acquaintances who have taken the plunge, spent vast amounts of money, and now regret it - I hate to say it, but many (though by no means all) of them are essentially money-making vehicles, designed to tap the huge pool of wannabe novelists that's out there! Most of my friends who have done these courses remain unpublished, although a few have found agents via the networking aspect of the course.

As you've discovered, some of the fees (especially for the short courses that are run by commercial publishers/newspapers etc) are exorbitant. Having spent some time working in publishing myself, I know that many publishers are struggling and seeking alternative means of making money - thus the recent proliferation of courses.

For me, and most of my peers, by far the most useful aspect of the course was the opportunity to have our work heard and critiqued by others - but you don't need an MA to do this! There are many local and national writing groups you can join to share your writing with others. Personally I've joined the SCBWI, which specifically supports children's writers and arranges retreats, conferences etc where members can meet and exchange ideas. I've met some wonderful people through doing this, and I'm sure there are similar organisations for writers of adult fiction.

Finally, have you considered doing an Arvon course/retreat? I haven't been on one myself, but they come highly recommended by many of the people I've met via the MA and SCBWI, and they consistently seem to get the best speakers/writers attending.

Sorry that's all a bit waffly, but hope it helps - basically the most important thing is tokeep going and not lose heart, although I know from experience that it's easier said than done!

Writing is a craft that needs to be learned and honed.
People think, wrongly, that because they love books they can write one,

One way is a CW course.

However it's not the only way .

I had never done a course when I wrote my first novel. I'm certainly not alone.

What you need to do is consider the various aspects of the craft, read everything you can on it. Then practice that aspect.

Then move on to the next as if you were doing a course.

You don't need to do a course. Many, many professional authors will not have done courses. What you need to do is write and practice writing.

Most first novels aren't published. It's the second, third, tenth - after you have learned how to write a book.

Join a writers group. Write every day (or at least try). Read some books on how to write a novel. And enjoy!

What you need to do is write and practice writing.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Writers are people who write. It's like any other skill - you need to practice and practice. Even on the days you don't feel like it. Even when you're busy. Even when it's crap.

Creative writing courses are one way to enforce this discipline on yourself. They are not the only way. You can also just set yourself a target (say 1000 words a day) and stick to it, no matter what, day in, day out, until you've finished your first draft. Then edit until you want to scream. :)

Writing is like any other creative industry. There are far more people who want to work in it than there is capacity in the market to employ them, so yes, it's very tough to break in to. The good thing is that (in my experience, anyway) the only qualification you need is to have written something a publisher wants to publish. Think of courses as tools for you, not as a CV-builder for potential publishers, and make your decision accordingly.

Best of luck and enjoy it!

MagratsHair, I was lucky enough to get taken on by an agent last year.

I have never had any kind of paid-for creative writing tuition. What I did do, though, was to systematically work through creative writing books between drafts of my novel, and rewrite in the light of what I'd learned, and what some helpful friends who read it told me.

You have to be quite focused and determined but then you need to be that to finish a book anyway.

Turnip, if I may, can I ask you for some recommendations of books you found useful?

Just write! Join a creative writing class, but just find the time to write, write, write! That way you will hone your skill and find your voice.

Certainly

I'll do a big blog post at some point because posts get lost a bit on here, but for now a few top ones:

Nicola Morgan - Help I Need A Publisher
Browne & King - Self-Editing For Fiction Writers
Sol Stein - On Writing
Robert McKee - Story
Donald Maas - Writing The Breakout Novel
James Scott Bell - Plot and Structure
Elmore Leonard - 15 Rules [that's a short article online, worth googling]
John Truby - The Anatomy of Story

I found that reading them while in the middle of a draft wasn't helpful - I'd write a draft, then read the craft books while I was waiting for people to read the draft for me, then I'd be able to form a plan of action for the rewrite based on the points they'd flagged and what I'd learnt. It was a useful synergy because people will generally tell you what's wrong but not always how to fix it, and the books will give you techniques.

Thanks everyone, I have bought a craft book & going to start again tomorrow....hope you get a good response englishmummy & congrats to those already finished :)

You have lifted me out of a rut & hopefully tomorrow will bring good things

Good luck!

This was the blogpost I did about it, btw - I need to do another one with specifics about the books, but this is the process that worked for me.

Have you looked at Allison courses they are free online