creative writing workshops

creative writing workshops

The Benefits of Creative Writing Workshops

1. Introduction

There is no better way to improve at writing than to write, and what better incentive is there to write than to produce something that will be read by others. This is the essence of a writing workshop. Workshop meetings provide a deadline for a new piece of writing, which is very important because without deadlines it is all too easy to keep putting off writing in favor of other things. You will be more motivated to write because others are expecting to see a new piece of your work, and the world is full of ideas so you will never be stuck for something to write about. Full participation in workshop discussions will help you become a more critical reader of your own work. This is a very important skill, often mentioned by prospective employers, and is highly transferable to many areas in life. Learning to see the strong and weak points in what you have written and to make revisions is an ability that will improve through practice.

As the advertising industry sees a shift from the audio and visual media of yore and focuses on the written word as an advertising tool, the demand for good writers increases. Such jobs often require a writing test or the submission of a sample piece. Even if one is not seeking a job in the writing field, showing employers some evidence of competence in writing well is useful.

The importance of creative writing in today’s society is a topic of much debate. While the ability to express oneself through the written word is a noble pursuit, the costs of a creative writing major at a university or private college are certainly deterring for many. There are alternative means of pursuing this field, one of the best being independent workshop groups. With the guidance of a well-informed instructor, creative writing workshops are a great way to learn the craft, share your work, receive feedback, and meet other writers. This essay will explore the reasons for this trend, specifically focusing on the independent workshop group, and why this has become such a popular alternative to the traditional classroom setting.

2. Enhancing Writing Skills

An important skill needed by a writer is the ability to take criticism in their stride. A professional writer will not be able to improve if they do not know their faults. At our workshops, we provide a friendly environment where teachers and fellow students give feedback on various written assignments. This will help a person to know where they stand as a writer and will also bring about a conscious effort to improve.

In the children’s workshop, we also have a session on storytelling before the art of story writing is introduced. This is because we feel telling a story is easier for a child and it will help them to organize their thoughts before putting them down in black and white.

In our workshops, we also do a number of creative writing activities that are fun and will help you to experiment with various writing styles. You will get to come out of your comfort zone to write. Again, this will enhance your writing skill.

Creative writing is an art and mastering the art needs constant practice. The practice enhances the skill. It is a known fact that the more a person writes, the better they can become. Our workshops stress upon practice. The more you write in our class, the more you get feedback and hence you keep rewriting. The end result is that the skill is honed further.

3. Fostering Creativity and Imagination

Teaching creative writing can require a new and different perspective and approach, but it is not alien to us. It includes cultivating an imaginative mindset, learning to use language in unique ways, and creating new forms of expression. This is something the high-stakes tests and the reports that often follow them do not seem to value, particularly when the tests are multiple choice. In fact, when the National Assessment of Educational Progress is testing writing it simply asks students to rate their comfort with writing and measures their mechanical skills, not their ability to think creatively or use writing to represent their unique viewpoints and beliefs. (2002 Writing NAEP) But the skills created and enhanced in a creative writing course are undeniably useful, and the value of these skills can serve students well in the future in an educational climate that might not hold them in high regard.

4. Building a Supportive Writing Community

At each writing meeting, I will read an opening prayer to set the tone for the day’s meeting and activity – remembering that the writing we are about to do is a gift from God and that it should be shared with others who can benefit. It is a safe, respectful, and positive environment, giving the process of writing and sharing of writing a special and deeper dimension.

Plan to have an ice breaker at the first meeting, which will allow students to learn about one another in a non-intimidating setting. Then, we as a group, will read “What is a Writing Community?” and participate in building our own writing community by doing the activities in the chapter. Next, I will lead group discussions which encourage and build student confidence so they may share their written work. A supportive writing community is a positive environment where risks in writing can be taken without fear of failure. I will end the meeting by giving everyone a creative writing journal to keep and use during club meetings and activities.

This is a persuasive speech to form a creative writing club at the local high school. Students who are interested in joining the club are welcomed and encouraged. One of the club’s objectives will be to form a supportive writing community. As a Peer Minister at my church, I have led many discussion groups and have tried to form prayer groups. Through those past experiences, I have grown to be able to welcome and lead all types of people into building a community. I intend to use those same qualities to form a writing club community.

5. Empowering Personal Growth

The area of personal development is vast. While some participants will be looking to improve their personal writing style, others who work in professions not traditionally linked to writing will see writing as a powerful and practical means of exploring and resolving work-related issues. Creative writing is a powerful tool for personal growth. Through the use of writing exercises, participants are encouraged to describe and explore their own thoughts and beliefs on a topic. Writing can act as a means of self-reflection, exploring the self and breaking internal barriers which hinder progress in writing and in life. It can be said that reading is a means of escapism, writing is a means of confronting. Self-reflection can bring with it a greater understanding of a person’s own actions, reactions, and general behavior. Behavior can be examined to identify psychological barriers which inhibit personal growth and change. As a participant uncovers new psychological insight through their writing, it is not uncommon for them to use writing as a means of problem-solving and working through tough emotional issues. Writing offers a non-threatening means of doing so and provides new perspective on previously insurmountable problems. Writing expressively on emotional topics has been proven to be an effective and relatively easy way of releasing emotional trauma. A recent study in the USA on the effects of expressive writing for trauma victims showed a statistically significant improvement in both physical and psychological health in the weeks and months following the trauma (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005). Writing can act as a catalyst for change for those who are willing to revisit tough issues for the betterment of their own lives. For people working through tough issues alone, or their writing will always be a viable option and a means of private consolation.