Should you take a writing class?

It's an interesting phenomenon that makes people think anyone can write, and that it's all about inspiration. While there is some truth in that, if you want to write well, then you need to hone your writing skills, and a writing course is a great way to improve your writing.

As with any serious career, if you want to make it as a writer, then there is a learning curve. You can approach this with trial and error, and hope you work it out - the downside is that with many publishers this means blowing your only shot with them - or you can treat your writing as a you would your day job, and learn the skills necessary to do the job well.

A writing class is not the only way to learn - there are scores of websites; videos; blogs which give you tips and tricks. There is a wide range of books, and magazines you can read. And of course, reading other writers, and dissecting their work helps!

I have found writing classes to be enormously valuable. I have a string of qualifications which includes two Bachelor's degrees (one majoring in English) and a Masters. I completed a Writer's Bureau journalism course, which guarantees you'll pay for the course with your published work - which I did; a short story course at a local FE college; and a course at Brighton University.They are running another one shortly, which I plan on attending: https://arts.brighton.ac.uk/ease/work-write-live/forthcoming-events/short-story-in-a-day

Each course has been different, and helped acquire new skills, but my favourite is the course at the University of Brighton, because it was the most inspirational - a year on, I'm still using ideas I picked up in that course. We were given different writing exercises each week, and invited to read our work if we wanted to. I have been able to develop a number of the exercises into short stories, and hearing others think I can write was reassuring!

I think writing courses are essential to any writer because:

- your teachers offer constructive feedback on your writing, which helps you improve

- you learn the essential skills of writing from grammar, style and structure through to editing and how to submit your work to a publisher

- they are great motivators - you have to write to complete the course

- you have the chance to meet with other writers, who can share your struggles, frustrations and joys

- you can read / hear the work of other writers

There are different types of course, depending on your experience level, and the type of course you need. Read up on the course, and make sure you select the right one for you.

The right writing course is a valuable investment in your career as a writer.