How to Choose a Good Creative Writing Course!

Choosing a creative writing course may seem easy, but there are lots of important points to think about before making a final decision. Putting a little effort into research at this stage can save a lot of heartache, and wasted money, later. Follow the advice below and the outcome should be a course that delivers on both creative writing content and practical needs.

What to Consider

Any decision about which course to choose should include, at the very least, the follow considerations:

• type of creative writing course – there are full time, home study, night classes and residential courses available
  
  
  
• subjects covered – some courses cover all types of creative writing, some only cover certain aspects, such as short stories or non-fiction books
  
  
  
• regulation or accreditation – colleges who are regulated or accredited need to have course materials, tutors and administration that meets the high standards required for membership
  
  
  
• price – this varies widely depending on what type of course you do
  
  
• time limit – there are creative writing courses that last six months, others have no time limits on them
  
  
• depth of study – complete beginners usually require a different kind of creative writing course than someone who is experienced
  
  
• publication or pleasure – creative writing courses that teach about writing for publication will contain different information to those designed to help writers improve for pleasure only
  
  
• certificate or diploma – there are creative writing courses that offer certificates and diplomas upon completion, others emphasise the benefit of the course is a portfolio of published work
  
  
  
• funding – some creative writing courses qualify for funding, such as Professional and Career Development Loans in the UK, others do not • tutor experience – course tutors may be published writers, or they could simply be people who have a knowledge of the publishing world but no experience of being a writer themselves

Practical Considerations To Think About

Practical considerations are just as important as what the course contains. There’s no point enrolling on a course that requires attendance at classes if the college is 100 miles away! So, if the course is taught by night-classes or full or part-time attendance at a college, it would be wise to:

• attend open-days to look around the campus, meet your potential class-mates and evaluate the tutors
• find out class times and length
• determine the distance of the college from your home
• locate public transport links and find out the price
• find out the local parking facilities and check cost and availability
• discover other facilities available, such as a cafe or convenience store

Those considering a residential course should also think about:

• accommodation type and cost
• food choices available
• free time and any activities on offer

Equipment is another consideration. Will the course require regular access to a:

• computer or typewriter – most probably will as most publishers refuse to accept hand written work anymore
• the internet – essential for research, communication and submission of manuscripts
• printer – not essential to have one at home as access is usually available, for a small cost, in newsagents, libraries and print shops

What Information Do You Need?

Searching online is the quickest way to find a course that fits the requirements identified from the questions above. Once a selection of suitable courses has been found, the next step is to request further information. Request the following so a thorough course comparison can be carried out:

• a synopsis of the subjects covered
• time limits
• average completion times
• identities, qualifications or credentials of the tutors
• details of how tutors are matched to students
• contact method and time allowed with tutors
• class sizes
• additional help available to students
• other facilities or services offered – forums, publications and so on
• total price
• payment methods and instalment plans available

What Do Others Think of The Course/College?

Next, it is time to find out what other people think of the course and college chosen. It’s useful to know about the:

• content and course materials provided
• services or facilities on offer
• tuition provided

Where to Find Reviews of Courses And Colleges

Those with experience of the course are the best people to ask for their opinion. The first place to check is the college website and literature. This may contain a page of testimonials or feedback from previous and current students and the website may have a forum where you can view the conversations going on between students. In the UK it is illegal to use testimonials that are untrue and the Advertising Standards Association monitors this. However, in other countries this may not be the case. Do also keep in mind that most companies will not publish unfavourable reviews. So, it is often worth searching review websites or forums for other impartial opinions.

Finding the college on Twitter or Facebook and reading the kinds of messages that are left can be quite revealing too.

If you want to find out more about being a published writer request a Writers Bureau Comprehensive Creative Writing course prospectus.