Does anyone have any experience of teaching Creative Writing? I'll be taking a class of adult creative writing students for ten weeks, starting in January. I have no idea of the stages they will all be at with their writing, and can only assume that I'll have a reasonably mixed group.

I want to tailor my classes to suit everyone. I have always absolutely hated writing exercises and have never in my life managed to produce anything other than complete rubbish when given an exercise. However, I know I am probably in a minority, and that there are lots of writers who like these weird things. My thoughts at the moment are that I will split the workshops in two - the first half will be full of exercises and discussion, and the second half will be more like an MA workshop, where students discuss other students' work-in-progress, though I'm concerned that this might be too intimidating for some people.

I don't know. What do others here think? I'd be interested to hear of other people's experiences of Creative Writing courses.

Sarah

Sarah, can I suggest you join the Teachers' Group? Some of the members (not including me) are teaching at the moment. It's a new group, and I don't think it's full, but there are already some great ideas around, and lots of fellow-feeling.

Emma

Thanks, Emma.

I've just done it. I hadn't realised there was a group for teachers - I'm still trying to find my way round the site!

Sarah