Why Teach Creative Writing?

Writing is an interesting subject: how do you get better at writing? You write. That seems apparent.  The problem comes in that it takes time to write…a lot of time.  At less than six instructional hours, our school day isn’t embedded with a lot of spare time just to write.

We have students who are interested in becoming better writers; a Creative Writing class provides them time to write, and hence, have the opportunity to improve their abilities to express themselves on paper.  This is a very valid reason to provide the class and I’m more than happy to do so.

When I reflect on my own personal reasons for beginning this journey as a “writing teacher” I find that I have the same reasons as my students for wanting to take the class:   I want to be a better writer.  I admire those who can write well, those who have not only created a world but have been able to put that world on paper in a manner that engages readers to the point that they crave the written word.

J.K. Rowling.  J.R.R. Tolkien.  Suzanne Collins.  C.S. Lewis.

Kate DiCamillo.  Mary Pope Osborne.  Jerry Spinelli.   Beverly Cleary.

Wordsworth.  Dickinson.  Poe.  Twain.  Austen.  Shakespeare.

Am I vain enough to think that someday a teacher will put my name on her “Fabulous Authors List” as she fumbles through a blog post?  Hardly.  But I can be a better writer than what I am, and teaching this class can help me achieve this goal.  Will it help me write exceptionally well?  No.  But will I write better than I do now?  Probably.

And will I have time to write?  Yes.  Yes, I will.

Post to Twitter

Five Whys of Creative Writing

1.Why am I taking creative writing?

So that I can be a better and a stronger writer.

2. Why do you want to be a better and a stronger writer?

So that whenever I write that the whole piece will flow easily and the transactions are smooth.

3. Why do you want to write that the whole piece will flow easily and the transactions are smooth?

Because I want my writing to be easy to read and yet understandable.

4. Why do you want your writing to be easy to read and yet understandable?

Because I want to my writing to be interesting.

5. Why do you want your writing to be interesting?

Because I just do.

Why is writing important? Well for one, nobody can really get anywhere in life without writing something whether it’s an email to a friend or filling out a job resume. Almost everyone has tried to write a short story, a novel, or even poetry. Some hoping to make a living off of it, but they usually stop once they think they aren’t a good enough writer. Carl Sandburg said, “I knew I would read all kinds of books and try to get at what it is that makes good writers good. But I made no promises that I would write books a lot of people would like to read.”

This quote reminds me of creative writing. Currently everyone has tried at least once to write something, and I know people who still are. They write stories that they would love to read but there are some people who read it and don’t like it. All authors write something that would peak their interest, but everyone has different interests when it comes to reading or writing.

I take the creative writing class because it peaks my interest as a reader and a writer. This class will help my writing flow more smoothly, like how the story should flow. This also allows me to get my imagination out there in an interesting way that maybe someone will be interested in. I am writing a bunch of short stories and poetry, I have enjoyed writing all that I have though. I don’t know very many people who are interested in my writing but I am to make my writing more interesting, more vivid, as if it was a movie on the big screens.

I’ve read all sorts of books, necessarily some that no one else has like to read but as they say, Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Post to Twitter

The 5 Whys of Creative Writing

I am taking creative writing because I want to be a stronger and better writer, so in the future if I become a Veterinarian I will be able to write strong reports. That way I won’t be fired for bad reports that my supervisors can’t understand. If I keep my job and write good reports I can move up in rank as a veterinarian, and make more money. That way I can buy an awesome house, and not have to live out on the streets, or in some bad apartment, and I won’t have to live like a slob or a homeless person.

Post to Twitter