Writing workshops

[vaneramos]

I am considering taking an online creative writing workshop. The idea came up when I noticed that Writer's Digest offers Writers Online Workshops, including a variety of six-week and twelve-week courses. Maybe it would put a few new tools in my box. I can't afford it, but Dad offered to cover the tuition, so now I just have to decide.

Writer's Digest seems like a creditable source, but does anyone have another suggestion, advice, criticism or personal experience?

The other question is more difficult. Should I concentrate on poetry or fiction? Admittedly this is a loaded question; like which is more hopeless and stupid, my fiction or poetry? Lately I've been concentrating on writing poetry, but fiction writing has been the stronger thread throughout my life, and I will have more regrets about neglecting it. I feel more blocked about writing fiction, and my first reason for taking a course would be the hope that structure and feedback will bring some progress. On the other hand I am pursuing some specific goals in my poetry just now, and perhaps a workshop would bring some polish to the effort.

If any of you writers and readers have thoughts or insights on this question, I would be happy to read them.

Comments

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Oh Mark, I already mailed it yesterday to the street address you supplied a few weeks ago. I'm sorry. I have that same problem where I live, so I understand. I hope it arrives safely.

Thanks for your input. The journal change was subtle, I'm glad you like it.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, that will make me happy!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that is all excellent advice.

I don't really think my work is hopeless and stupid; that was a joke. Like "Does this poem make me look stupid?"

You are absolutely right: a healthy creative process is much more important. But do you think a workshop would do any harm?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Your points about finding a critique partner hit the nerve. The problem with my creative process is that I have tried to work too much in isolation. Recent experiments have shown that I get much more work done when I interact with other creative people face-to-face. But whenever I consider looking for a critique partner who meets the criteria you describe, I am baffled. I have a writing partner who is great encouragement to sit down and work, but she doesn't seem much interested in critiquing. So part of my reason for wanting to workshop is to meet other writers.

But also I feel that I deserve some professional development. Apart from journalism, I haven't taken a creative writing course since high school. Maybe it would be better for me to actually go back to school part-time, but I thought a workshop would be a (relatively inexpensive) chance to see whether or not I find the structure useful and challenging.