ON COURSE FOR IMPROVEMENT

Piers Blofeld is right to encourage scrutiny in the quality of writing courses on offer (From the other side of the desk, WM, Nov). Those selecting a course should reflect upon the fact that just because someone can write a published work, it does not mean they can teach others to do it. But I strongly disagree with Piers’ underlying premise that good writing cannot be taught, that we should wait around for ‘the mysteries of talent’ to shine through. My not-so-underlying premise is that everyone has the right to hone their craft, whether it is writing, painting or sculpture. And some, as I do, may wish to engage for the love of it, to wallow in the delight of words, imagery and style.

Piers misses the point; education is for life. It is essential that all good writers, and those in any profession, should continually reflect and review their progress. They are responsible for undertaking professional development to improve. Why cloak the need of writers who wish to keep developing their skills in shame? The literary world changes all the time, agents publish books they think will plug into the national taste and need – and this will change constantly. Technology advances demand new approaches to writing for podcasts, blogs, or for audio books. Updating should be praised, indeed expected – and should be one of the criteria for judging the quality of a writing course.

Choose your course with care, and then throw yourself into it as the experience will be as worthwhile as you make it. ANNEMARIE MUNRO Bideford, North Devon