creative writing courses

There has been almost as much editorial comment on the proliferation of creative writing courses as there has been the production of these 'dream factories'.

The latest in Overland by Rjurik Davidson.

There's been a converse reduction in the number of literary novels published in Australia in comparison with the number of creative writing PhD's being published.



What does this mean for reading and writing? What does this mean for a shared culture?

I am not anxious about the number of people writing books, nor reduction in books being published. These acts of literacy and literature perhaps balance each other out in a way.

It's the commodification of education that is troubling. It seems the consumer mindset has beset everyone even students of 'creative' writing.

getting your facts right

A decade ago I spent several years diligently employed as an editor.

Fact-checking is the bread and butter of the editor's day, something our lovely friend at Microsoft's spell-check function can't do for you I'm afraid: verify what is true and what is not. Some people think editing is correcting spelling.

There are so many things it can't fix, but hey that's another story...But these days facts are usually verified by editors on the electronic interweb.

...Enter Wikipedia.

As we know -- some people write malicious gossip on Wikipedia (this writer included, sorry Uncle Doogs) for a bit of a laugh, more often for ideological reasons.

The problem with Wikipedia is there is no official 'author' to filter the subjectivity of what you're reading.

Facts are facts, but how you use them, how you present them -- what's included, what's left out -- is all part of the (sometimes subconscious) self-editing process of telling the story.

But this we all know, what is worrying is when no one is really fact-checking properly anymore.

Something is published in a reputable publication and suddenly it's everywhere -- at speed -- on the misinformation superhighway.

Efficiencies? Yes. Inaccuracies? Maybe.

Does it matter? Time will tell. Hello Dark Ages.

writing for no one

There are several hurdles to overcome when you first start having a bash at writing.

First, the terrifyingly blank page. To this I say: scribble! Anything. Just random thoughts. It's like stretching before a run, partly to get your body in form, partly to psyche yourself up.

Second, the editor inside who can't help but glance back at what is written and start editing -- censoring what is not yet complete. To this I say: stop! Imagine Rodin part-way through sculpting the Kiss, chucking it in: 'This! This is just not good enough!'

And third, the nagging dread that you're writing this play, children's story, textbook, novel, short story, instruction manual, autobiography, family history for NO ONE. Not a soul but you will ever read it. It'll remain buried, a love letter to the world, unread and unappreciated. To this (anxiety) there's not much one can say...

But two blokes in the UK have launched a website where new writers can find an audience for their unfinished works. Will there be enough readers and writers out there willing to jump in and provide quality constructive feedback on works in progress?

Maybe they need to create some kind of contractual arrangement first, the online writers' equivalent of 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours'...?