Reading, writing and arithmetic–kid stuff, you might think. But at least when it comes to writing, adults from all walks of life are going back to class in droves.
Lawyers, consultants and stay-at-home moms are working on poems, short stories and screenplays. Corporate managers are sharpening their business writing skills. Retired people are penning journals, travel articles and memoirs.
Chicago-area writers can choose from hundreds of classes, workshops and seminars covering almost every form of fiction and non-fiction writing. Classes meet on college campuses and in community centers, libraries and living rooms. Fees range from less than $80 to more than $800 per session or semester, with classes for college credit at the high end of the scale.
When you enroll in a writing class you put more than just your money on the line. You make yourself vulnerable by exposing your written work to comment and criticism. Indeed, many aspiring writers come to class seeking not just instruction in the craft of writing but motivation, support and feedback from both teacher and classmates.
If this sounds closer to group therapy than adult education, keep in mind that writing is a highly personal matter. Getting your money’s worth depends on more than just comparing course descriptions.
The key to choosing the right class or workshop lies in identifying your particular needs and finding a class that meets them, says Glenview free-lance writer Nancy Shepherdson, who teaches magazine writing at Columbia College and the University of Chicago and who, herself, recently enrolled in a fiction-writing class.
“When you’re just starting out, you may need encouragement and confidence-building,” Shepherdson explains. “When you have more experience, you may want detailed feedback to take your writing to the next level. Once you are an accomplished writer, you might want to learn how to refine your work and market it to more prestigious publications.”
Smart consumers do their homework before handing over the tuition for a writing class. Most writing teachers welcome phone calls from prospective students and many will allow you to sit in on a class before you enroll. You may also be able to review teacher evaluations written by former students.
Consider the teacher’s credentials and experience. Read his or her published work but remember that a great writer does not necessarily make a great teacher.
Don’t be put off by a class simply because you must submit a writing sample or meet with the teacher as a prerequisite to enrollment. The teacher may use a screening process not to find out if you are “good enough” but to make sure the class is right for you.
Find out how the class or workshop is structured and what will be covered. Most writing classes consist of a mix of traditional teaching, “workshopping” (class discussion of student work) and in-class writing.
During the teaching portion of the class, the teacher may discuss assigned reading material or lecture on writing tools and techniques. The class may also cover more than just writing. A newspaper-writing class, for example, should also address reporting skills and journalistic ethics. A magazine-writing class may focus as much on marketing articles as on writing them.
What will be asked of you? There may or may not be reading assignments, but it goes without saying that you will be expected to write.
“You do not teach writing by explaining how to do it in general terms,” said Robert Fromberg, who teaches fiction and non-fiction writing at Northwestern’s University College. “You could read 30 or 40 books about writing, but to learn to write you have to actually sit down and do it.”
Ask about the form and the content of the writing assignments, advised Fromberg.
Some teachers give specific exercises and assignments, while others allow students to choose what to write.
Find out how many new works you will be expected to produce. “It’s not just a workload issue,” said Fromberg. Some teachers prefer to work on revising one work all semester, while others encourage students to write many pieces.
If the class will have a workshop component, find out how your work will be presented to the class, advised Fred Shafer, a teacher of fiction writing at Northwestern’s University College. Will you read it aloud or will written copies be distributed in advance so class members can read it before class?
Reading work aloud consumes valuable class time and sometimes focuses attention on superficial details, noted Shafer. If work has been read in advance, the discussion can often go a lot further.
Still, some teachers believe it is beneficial to hear work read aloud, and some forms, poetry for example, are best appreciated when spoken. If you are shy, perhaps you can arrange for someone else to read your work.
If you have the opportunity to observe a workshop, notice how the teacher structures and guides the discussion. “A good teacher sets ground rules for feedback so that discussions don’t degenerate into arguments over personal taste,” explained Jerry Cleaver, a teacher at The Loft, an independent fiction workshop.
Sitting in on a session also will allow you to assess the teacher’s personality and style. Since some people stay in the same workshop for years, you also may be able to get a feel for whether the group is highly critical or more positive and supportive.
Find out whether the teacher will provide a detailed written critique of your work as well as a verbal one. “You don’t want just an overview,” said Shafer. “A general comment at the end doesn’t go far enough in responding to all of the effort that went into writing the piece.”
And verbal comments don’t always register, noted Cleaver. A written critique can be taken home and reflected upon later.
In-class writing is a component of many writing classes and workshops. Some students view in-class writing as a waste of valuable class time and are uncomfortable writing under pressure. Others thrive on it. “I’ve gotten whole stories from in-class exercises,” said Lauren Hines, a former attorney and aspiring fiction writer.
“Make sure the instructor is adding value, that you’re using class time to do things you couldn’t do on your own,” said Fromberg.
As thoroughly as you may investigate a writing course or workshop on the front end, you may not know for sure if it is right for you until it has begun. Some programs allow for a full or partial refund if you drop out early in the session, others consider tuition non-refundable once classes start.
“It is very important to figure out if the class is a good fit for you while you can still drop out and get all or most of your money back,” said Shepherdson.
Finally, writers studying with the same teacher for a long time should reassess their needs periodically, advises Harriet Melrose, a published poet who has been in many workshops. “Ask yourself if you are still growing as a writer.”
