Creative writing courses are a waste of time, says Hanif Kureishi (who teaches one) | The Passive Voice | A Lawyer's Thoughts on Authors, Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing:
Faulkner said writing can't be taught but it can be learned.
I like teaching screenwriting because it has more "rules" than other forms and you can teach rules -- and because I have real world experience and can help students take certain short cuts if they so desire. I also enjoy mentoring students of talent and I have been lucky enough to have one almost every term here. Not quite but enough to keep me "keeping the faith." Also, since screenwriting is story-driven, not language-driven, it has uses beyond its immediate value. No other creative writing courses emphasize storytelling.
I've loved my job here. And I am sure it is time to leave it.
How to tell a story
