Should You Do a Writing Course?

First, let's tackle the question that is uppermost in many aspiring writers' minds: "Do I need to do a writing course to sell my writing?"

No. Absolutely not.

I have never done a writing course (the kind with assignments and feedback). Yet I've now had published (or have in production) around 56 books for children, half a dozen ghost-written titles, a co-written book on networking and self-promotion, dozens of articles, short stories, and even short poems for kids. Besides that, I've written promotional material for businesses and business professionals, speeches, blurbs for posters, educational materials, web site copy and more... the list is long.

How did I do it?

  • I always loved to read. Like most readers, I tend to 'absorb' the rhythms of the language, correct grammar and punctuation, and the conventions of many different writing genres - mystery, romance, suspense and so on. (There's a very good reason for so many people advising you to write what you like to read - you "know" the genre without having to study it!)

  • I started buying "how-to" books on writing and marketing early in my career. You can learn pretty well everything you need to know from these books. The trick is USING what you learn. There are a lot of would-be writers out there who have groaning shelves full of how-to-write books - but who do very little actual writing.

  • I subscribed to industry magazines such as The Writer's Digest and The Writer. I photocopied and filed the articles in relevant categories. Over time, I built up a considerable collection of 'how-to' articles.

  • I attended writing workshops and joined professional associations. I volunteered to be on the Committee of one of these professional associations. In that capacity, I made lots of contacts - editors, agents, and authors.

  • I joined writing support groups. I never actually started one of my own, but that's not a bad idea if you want to have the support of a critique circle.

  • I WROTE. I experimented with fiction, articles, non-fiction and fiction. I wrote for adults and children. I found out what I liked to write and what I didn't like to write.

  • I treated writing as a business. I've always invested in my writing career - by buying books, attending workshops and conferences (in Australia and overseas), buying good quality equipment and, in recent years, establishing an internet connection.
Should YOU Do A Course?

What was right for me, however, may not be right for you. I had always excelled in English at school. I loved to write stories, from the time I was a child. I knew I had a good grasp on the mechanics of the English language. I was fairly certain that I could "teach myself" to write.

As it happened, I was right. BUT - If I had done a course, and received quality feedback on my work, I may have started getting my work published a bit sooner. A course involving carefully structured lessons and good feedback can show you what you're doing right and where you're going wrong early in your career.

As a tutor for several correspondence courses in writing, I have seen countless variations of the following comment: "I thought I knew how to write. But when I kept getting rejection letters, I decided to enrol in a course to see if that would give me any insights into why... I found out there was a lot I didn't know! Some of the mistakes I was making seem so obvious now!"

So, even though you think you know how to write, you may discover that:

  • Your style of writing is somewhat outdated.

  • You haven't fully grasped the requirements of the particular genre for which you're writing.

  • You are making mistakes in grammar and punctuation that you weren't aware of.

A few simple 'tricks of the trade' can take your writing to a whole new level very quickly.

The fact is, many of us can't "see" what we're doing wrong - until it's pointed out to us. And this is the case even if we've read advice about that very thing in a writing "how-to" book! If you are not having a lot of luck with your submissions, then a writing course could be just what you need to speed you on your way.

What Kind Of Course Would Be Best?

If you do decide to do a course, then shop around to find out what would be best for you. Don't rush into a decision. You'll find that writing courses vary in length, in quality, in mode of delivery, and in cost. For example, some "courses" on the Internet are free - but they're pretty much the same as reading a how-to book, because you don't get any feedback on your writing. These courses are really more like mini-seminars.

University Courses

There are plenty of university-level courses around. You may need a certain level of education to be eligible. These courses are useful if you want to have a university qualification on your CV (say if you want to use your writing skills to obtain a job or career position). If you attend regular lectures and tutorials, you also have the benefit of face to face interaction and immediate feedback on your writing.

The downside (for some) is that you could take years to get through the course, and you may have to take other subjects of very little interest to you to achieve that final qualification. And (it has to be said) some writers who want to work on "commercial" or popular fiction find that other students are only interested in literary fiction, and literary snobbery becomes a problem.

Short Writing Courses

There are a number of writing courses that let you pace your work to suit your lifestyle. For example, the company that markets the writing courses that I have written (I'm not going to name them here because this is not an ad - it's a general discussion of what's right for you!) allows students to take up to 5 years to finish the course. However, if you want to move through it quickly, you can do the course in 12 weeks. (One tutorial and assignment per week.) There are plenty of writers with talent and drive who can complete the course in this short time. They can then move on to advanced courses or just write up a storm and start marketing their work!

Internet Options

The internet is an incredibly fertile source of information and learning for writers. (For example, you subscribed to this free tipsheet!) Free information is everywhere. You can, however, also buy e-books on writing and enrol in structured writing courses with assignments and feedback. The fees vary.

The advantage of using the Internet is that you can work on the lessons at a time that suits you. You can email assignments away at two in the morning, if this is when you work best! Most courses allow you a fair bit of flexibility in the amount of time you take to finish the course.

The disadvantage of doing a course via the Internet is that some courses on offer have been around only a few months or a year. I recommend shorter courses, because if you decide to do a course over an extended period, you may find that the provider has shut up shop!

Community Colleges

Six- or eight-week courses in writing are often on offer through community colleges or night classes. These can be general in nature (Creative writing) or more specific (Writing for Children). Try to ensure that the person delivering the course has the expertise you require. It's your money! The benefits of these courses: they're short; they offer face-to-face interaction; they can provide you with the nucleus of a critique group if you all get on well.

Bottom Line

You don't have to do a writing course to get published, but it can certainly help. If you are at the stage where you need feedback on your writing before you can move on, then it's probably a good investment. But do your homework first - ask for testimonials and ask about the qualifications of the tutor. Check on how long you have to complete the course, and what happens if a family disaster takes you out for several months. Make sure it's the right course for you!

(c) copyright Marg McAlister

Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Celebrating Writing and Life

Every morning I excitedly get out of bed. Just a... Read More

Know Your Editing Choices

Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More

Do You Know How To Write English For Global Audiences?

When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English,... Read More

Do I Have To Be A Good Writer to Market My Own Business?

Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More

The Untold Secrets of Writing Best Selling Childrens Books

Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More

What you Dont Know About Book Publishing Can Cost You

Dream that your book can be a number one best... Read More

Vary Your Writing Style and Win Readers

First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More

Get An Attitude About Your Writing

(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More

Ten Tips To Get Started Writing Your Book

You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More

Tips For Better Writing

It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More

Is Now the Time for a Play about the War in Iraq?

Everone knows that comedy is mostly about timing. If you... Read More

Editing for Perfection ? The Personal Statement

This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More

Building a Character Wall

For any great novelist, defining your cast of intriguing characters... Read More

6 Ways to Jump-Start Your Writing Day

1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE....for half an hour or... Read More

Making Money from Freelance Writing

Making Money from Freelance WritingIt's the question that every aspiring... Read More

The Writing Game

There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More

Story Structure - Final Conflict

Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More

Masquerading As Novel ~ Can Author?s Work Convey Important Perceptions?

While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More

Write For Yourself First

It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More

Ways to Make Extra Income Using the Internet

To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More

Realize Your Book Dream In 2005!

If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More

7 Journaling Tips

Set your journal or diary where you will see it... Read More

10 Best Writers Who Ever Lived

Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More

Memoir Writing Help, Memoir Writing Ideas

You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More

The Psychology Of Effortless Writing

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More

10 Things that Keep You from Writing Your Book? and What You Can do About It

9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have... Read More

If The Viewpoint Character Is A Secondary Character, Have You Established Who He is?

Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More

7 Reference Books for Your Desk

I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an... Read More

Getting the Story Down

Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and... Read More

The Writer and the Web

If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More

Authors-Stop Expensive Mistakes Before you Spend on Professional Services

So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More

Writing Requires Self-Control

The only way to become a writer is to write.... Read More

Dreading the Writing Assignment? Outlines to the Rescue

Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More