Can Creative Writing Be Taught?
This is the question posed by a review of The Program Era, in the Summer Fiction issue of the New Yorker, out this week. Having just posted an article based on the premise that writing can be taught, I sat up and took notice.
The Program Era treats writing programs and their influence on American fiction, and in reviewing it, Louis Menand addresses some important issues. Because the book ultimately asserts that writing programs have been of some value to American fiction, it also implies that writing can be taught. "What is usually said," Menand writes, "is that you can't teach inspiration, but you can teach craft." And he concludes, "For, in spite of all the reasons they shouldn't, workshops work."
What do you think? Do workshops, indeed, work? Is there value in the MFA program? Are they responsible for raising the quality of America literature, and in doing so, have they also homogenized it?
I absolutely think that writing programs and schools and workshops work. Because they teach craft, as your quote above declares.
They cannot guarantee success because that depends on much more than writing skill.
Do they homogenize? Perhaps in a litte, but that would be in a good way, bringing the student’s writing style into conformity with professional standards and just plain good writing. But I think the publishing industry has by far the strongest homogenizing influence.
Writing teaching provides information on craft, guidance on students’ creative efforts, and inspiration to keep writing–all of which work quite well.
I believe writing can be taught, but it’s not being taught. I hold an M.A. in Writing and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing: Fiction and I see our current system of preparing future creative writers as counterproductive.
If you go to a music department and say, “I want to be a composer,” the response will be, “Take this and this and this course and you will have what you need to go out into the world and make a living as a composer.” The same is true for graphic arts programs and other arts programs. But, that doesn’t happen in Creative Writing M.F.A. programs.
The only thing I learned in Creative Writing Workshops was how much I hated Creative Writing Workshops, as professors would become visibly livid with any student work that even kinda sorta hinted at having commercial value. They only wanted us to write pieces no one would want to read, much less buy.
The Creative Writing programs I’ve encountered have lost touch with reality. Medical schools produce folks who can provide medical services to a community. Law schools produce folks who can provide legal services to a community. Creative writing programs should prepare folks to go out into the world and make a living working as a creative writer, by providing creative writing services in a variety of settings, including television, radio, film, advertising, magazines, and genre fiction, in addition to toiling away at the Great American Novel.
TWH
Fiction writing is essentially story-telling for the written page.
Everyone has an interesting story to tell, and just about everyone has the capability of learning how to tell that story in an interesting and creative way.
Some of us are simply more motivated to hone those skills than others.
Thanks, Bill, for pointing out the effect the publishing industry has had on American literature. In fact, writing programs that support their writers financially give them the opportunity to experiment without the pressure of having to publish right away.
Ginny writes: “writing programs that support their writers financially…” Which programs do this? Technical programs, maybe? I’ve never heard of any creative writing program doing this. Please share…
As one of the first graduates of the then newly organized Writing Program at Stanford, I found the contact with Wally Stegner (and Dick Scowcroft, as well as Yvor Winters) of permanent value. However, I think that only certain kinds of technique can be taught, just as taking a studio art class can teach how to handle the medium but cannot turn out a creative and imaginative artist. The downside, of course, is that writing programs can also turn out establishment writers who “scratch one another’s back” when it comes to book publishing, judging of contests, access to periodicals, etc. That becomes a dead hand laid on creativity.
Dear Wildworder,
When I was applying for MFA programs back in the 90s, only the Michener Center for Writers at UT Austin supported their writers with full tuition remission and a stipend, but it’s my understanding that they have been joined by others since then. For a list of the top-funded programs, see this article in P&W:
http://www.pw.org/content/show_me_money_roundup_topfunded_mfa_programs?cmnt_all=1
The article does a good job of parsing out what each program offers financially and how that boils down after cost of living, health care, etc. are taken into account. If writers are willing to forego some of the bigger, more expensive cities, there are programs that will allow them to spend a few years writing without taking on debt.
Best,
Ginny
Having just taken a novel writing workshop via the Internet, I’d have to say I learned a few things, but not what was expected via the course. I believe Stephen King was right in his book On Writing, when he suggests that novels come from just writing them and then going back and refining in the next draft. But the creative element can’t be taught. Can we all learn mathematics? Yes, but some are driven to learn it more, and become mathematicians. Can we all learn to write? Sure. But the creative element, the inspiration, takes a drive and that consistent practice that makes the writing better. So I agree with Mr. Winn that perhaps certain techniques can be taught, but not much more. The class I took taught me that critiques mid-book from other writers only slow down the process and belabor something that should be pure joy. That’s what being creative is all about.
I definitely think workshops work (and am a part of one for every day 2 weeks every June). They can hone your craft or get you motivated to write, and they can give you feedback, all to make your writing better.
Creative writing can be taught if the potential
is germinating within student(s). I think once
exposed to teaching methods, learning to write creatively takes on a life of its own. It’s
up to the individual to nurture and develop
his/her own voice and style from there. Classes
and workshops are tools to be used to sharpen
skills and be a part of the writing group as a
whole since writing can be a solitary existence.
Only the basics can be taught.
And some writers will always need to write alone.
As a current English major seeking a Bachelors and hoping to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing, I very strongly believe college programs have a roll to play in the craft of writing. However, I’m not sure that you can take someone without any discernible talent and make a writer out of them. As with anything, moderation. A writer who already shows an affinity for language and creativity in story-telling most likely can have their craft honed but if they are completely lacking creativity and some measure of ability, they will find it a miserable experience and most likely go elsewhere. I think that’s why there are so many “writers” who never do anything – they’re satisfied with the dream, whereas those who are published seek avenues for learning and improving their craft. At least, that’s my humble opinion. Awesome article and I’m enjoying your column.
Thanks for your comment, Charity! Good luck with your writing.
I believe like any talent, it can absolutely be taught. Sure, to some people it comes naturally, but even those people get better over time. I believe we all have talents and if we want others, we can learn them.