Studying Creative Writing

Dr Sharon Norris has taught creative writing at several universities, most recently as Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing in the Department of English and Creative Writing, University of Roehampton, London). Dr Norris is a trained journalist who works as a writer, editor, and musician.

• Editor's preface; 1.What to expect of a creative writing degree by Sharon Norris; 2.The skills you'll need to study creative writing by Ally Chisholm; 3.The importance of reading to your writing by Shawn Shiflett; 4.Pre-writing: how to use journals, notes and plans to improve your writing by Lorna Fergusson; 5.Workshops: what they are (and aren't) and how to make the most of them by Jennifer Young; 6. Online learning and how it can help your work by Elizabeth Reeder; 7. The role of editing and redrafting, and how to do both by Spencer Jordan; 8.'Reading aloud: making the most of your work when you present it' by Nabila Jameel; 9. The role of critical reflections and how to write them by Sharon Norris; 10. Assessment: how it's done and its implications for your work by Helen Kidd; 11. What happens next? How to proceed after graduation by Sally O'Reilly; Bibliography; Index.

"Studying Creative Writing is the fourth in an international series of books entitled Creative Writing Studies. It is aimed at prospective and current students and those who teach writing in higher education. The book is structured into eleven chapters, each authored by a different teacher-writer. At first glance, the title of this text makes it seem relevant to a very narrow audience. Upon reading, however, it becomes evident that the book is of interest and use to those studying, teaching, and/or practicing writing before, during or after tertiary education - Studying Creative Writing reveals the complexity, rigour and benefits of becoming a writer through higher education. This book shows how learning to read and write in a creative and critical manner, in a structured and supportive environment, not only develops professional writers, but people who are not only multiskilled but have explored the fundamental questions of who they are and what they think about life. Whilst this book is clearly most relevant to teachers and current or future students of creative writing, practising writers may find it a useful resource at specific moments in their career or on a particular project. Despite its defensive opening, and despite how the chapters sometimes seem illogically ordered, this book offers a rich and varied introduction to what is a rich and varied field of study." Helen Gildfind,TEXT Vol 18 No 1 April 2014. "Students new to creative writing are often uncertain about what to expect and how they might cope. Studying creative writing (ed Sharon Norris) provides essays designed to infuse new students with knowledge and hence confidence about every aspect of their studies: how to read, how to write,how to engage with critique, and how to face assessment. Each contributing writer has an engaging, accessible voice, and the book as a whole is a marvellous tool for all students of writing" - Professor Jen Webb, University of Canberra, August 2013.