seshat's blog post - To write

It's been more than 4 months since my last creative writing course. And looking back on those 4 months, I realise I haven't been at my most productive. But instead of continuing to look for contests to spur me on by their deadlines, I've realised that there are other options that would help in my writing ambitions.

It would be a lot easier if I wrote in my mother tongue Dutch. Or if I could (comfortably) write in French (I manage, but it's a struggle). But that doesn't mean there aren't solutions: aside from discovering some free online courses at the Open University, I've also discovered that Oxford University gives online courses at reasonable prices. And that they have a very interesting academic creative writing program, which I will probably/hopefully follow in 2014 when my savings account will permit me to work part time and commute to Oxford. (If my application is accepted of course).

All these ideas... presuming that my two scholarship applications for September will be refused (to go to the US for 1 or 2 years to dedicate myself fully to writing and get paid for it). I firmly believe in expecting the worst, if by a miracle my application is accepted it won't make me any less happy. But I need to stay realistic.

The irony? I'm not even sure that it is possible to teach people how to write. The concept of creative writing courses is very Anglo-saxon, in French culture and Dutch-speaking culture, the idea is more that you have a gift for writing or you don't. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle: sure, you can learn tricks of the trade, techniques and skills. But to be a truly great writer, you need a certain creative spark, something that sets you apart. If I want to follow these writing courses, it's not just to learn some skills, but also to learn how to make my own creativity, buried deep inside, flow more easily and to make writing a habit instead of something I do when I'm not watching TV or playing online games.