Writing Courses

I have signed myself up for yet another writing course.  Again I have chosen the OU but this time instead of having to find nearly a thousand pounds for each course this one is a freebie which I have to say brings its own little quirks and challenges. Because it's free - I tried the same course this time last year but didn't get beyond the first two weeks due to family matters - and because it's a subject (writing) that everyone thinks they can do - it's massively over subscribed. This contrasts hugely with the paid for courses which stream students into groups that are structured and supervised  and then into sub groups that are so small the group for the duration of the course they are more involved with your life than friends and family. Tight little groups which are controlled and administered by a single tutor  a competent teacher of creative writing who is happy to give you one to one tuition through any medium of your choice. The relationship resembles that of an experienced parent and a troublesome but eager brood.  The free courses like this one are too big too unwieldy - no-one will ever get to know anyone.  The students are from all over the country and indeed the courses are open to students from oversees too. I've seen stories written in Spanish German and even Chinese, though I fear they will be writing for the most part to themselves in what is definitely a feedback structured course. 

The first assignment of this free course involves students writing a paragraph which mixes up factual and fictional elements. If you follow the brief to the letter this will be a paragraph with 3 fictions and a legitimate fact, followed by a paragraph with 3 facts and a fictional element, It explains that you can write about anything as long as stick to this basis premise which predictably some people apply rigidly, and others like me take a looser approach.  I always use these assignments as basic prompts preferring to spend more time thinking about the writing than the rules. Others get themselves bogged down by trying to everything to the letter, sometimes quite literally. I don't know which approach is the best ultimately. I can't sit here and feel that my life has been an unqualified success applying my version of how to tackle a problem I only know that my instincts are always to go for the bigger picture and not get weighed down by associated detail. 

According to the assignment, students can write about anything and indeed looking at some of the examples, this has been embraced with such imaginative and creative zeal the course writers should be giving themselves several rounds of applause.  This is a good start for the course generally. The last time I checked there were over 3,500 examples  - at least 600 more examples since yesterday.  Every single time I check there is a new batch of stories or paragraphs waiting to be read and assessed as worthy of either a 'like'  (such a modern construct that every single thought a person might have is critiqued based on how likable something is) or commented on (which rather suggested the writer has prompted the reader into an emotional response of some sort) or if really impressive the earning of a follower who checks a box requesting a direct link to every other piece of work the writer does. 

I think I have that about right. So, it's on with course and the unzipping of the creative juices that reside within me - I hope. My intention is to take a full part in the assignments which should include the offering comments to others' efforts. This will be in part altruistic but also to keep me thinking creatively and putting those thoughts down in words. A word of caution to myself because it always happens - I need to be dispassionate about how my work or how the comments I make are received.  All that matters is that I'm doing something and learning in the process.