What is this yahoo reading?!

[lucidscreamer]

Over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, the SBs are discussing a "creative writing textbook" (The College Handbook of Creative Writing) that makes me glad I could never fit that creative writing class into my schedule in college. Here's the excerpt that made me roll my eyes so hard they almost flew out of my skull:

"Entertainment literature does not

Comments

[frenziedpanda7]

Does this prove that those who can't write, teach. Glad I have little memory of creative writing class...

[lucidscreamer]

I met the creative writing teacher at my college and the man was an ass, so I have several reasons to be glad I didn't take the class. He and this winner would've gotten along fine. Ugh.

[frenziedpanda7]

That period should be a question mark.(sigh) THIS is why a good beta must be treasured.

[tex_chan]

And here I've been thinking to myself that I have so little chance of "making it" as a writer because I've never taken any sort of creative writing class ... and have no degree in anything even remotely art-related. I mean, I just write, you know?

But, even I in my "stoopidness" know that stories are all about characters. Thus, characters must have depth and dimension. As a reader, I want to be able to hold those characters up to a mirror and see if they cast a reflection, just like a real person I might meet on the street. If they don't, I inevitably find myself unable to continue reading whatever book they appear in. As a writer, I struggle for the same thing -- characters I would like to read and, maybe, know in real life ... if they were actual people.

And to think -- I've been doing it "wrong" all this time. *sigh* (No wonder people don't want to read what I write! *laughs* =P)

[lucidscreamer]

From what I've gotten from many who have taken such classes, they can be a waste of time -- or actively inhibit your writing. Workshops sound like a better option.

I'm self-taught. I've read tons of books on writing and self-editing over the years, and while they've helped, I think the best way to learn how to write is to write. And then write some more. Get feedback. Revise. And keep writing. LOL

I'm a bit of a rebel, that way. :P

[tex_chan]

I think the best way to learn how to write is to write. And then write some more. Get feedback. Revise. And keep writing. LOL

*cheers & applauds*

Couldn't agree with you more. Hmmm ... does that make me a rebel, too? Maybe we should form a gang. *snickers* =D

[lucidscreamer]

We could have cool jackets and a secret handshake. ;D

[dknightshade]

*head desk* That just. Gah!! True that some 'entertainment' books succeed without good characters because they have an interesting enough plot to draw people in (personally, I think Dan Brown books fall into this pot but YMMV). But all writers should be aspiring to good characters and good plots and good writing not just 'well, I'm writing an entertainment book so I'll just use the card board cut outs.' That blows my mind that someone would put that in a TEXTBOOK!

[lucidscreamer]

That blows my mind that someone would put that in a TEXTBOOK!

I know! If the class was "how to be a BAD writer" it might be understandable. Otherwise, not so much. >.<

It's like the author was writing a how-to manual for aspiring bad!fic "authoresses".

[dknightshade]

Ahhh, but authoresses never write bad characters. It's us readers who just don't understand the nuances of their characters. ;-)

[lucidscreamer]

Silly me! How could I forget that?! ^_~

[lucidscreamer]

He had some really neat things to teach.

That's good. I'm sure there are good creative writing teachers/programs out there. I just haven't had the pleasure of running into any of them. >.<

I was an avid reader all through school,

I've always been a voracious and eclectic reader. My whole, extended family have always been big readers and storytellers (and musicians, artists, craftsmen). Guess it's in the genes (and our family culture). :) I used to carry a book with me *everywhere*.

I don't even remember the first thing I wrote, though I do remember my first published fanfic. I got into Star Trek and Dark Shadows fandoms at about the same time, and wrote stories for each that were published in fanzines. I was over the moon when I got "letters of comment" on my fic! The knowledge that other people read (and liked) my stories was great inspiration to write more. LOL