The
Random House Struik Creative Writing Course was a pleasure to teach over the ten week period from 8 February to 16 April. There were 125 participants in the class and by the end of the course 26 students had made significant and meaningful plans to submit finished novel manuscripts for publication.
Creating a creative writing communityMore than that, the comments from the students have been marvelous, indicating to me that the course is not simply about finishing novels for consideration by Random House Struik, but it is
also an opportunity for people to engage in a creative journey and meet like-minded individuals from across the country and indeed the world. As one student indicted at the end of the last module, “I have learnt a considerable amount in a relatively short time, and the benefit of the invariably valuable input of my co-students cannot be underestimated.” Said another, “I have just finished putting all my notes in a VERY FAT file, and am staggered at the amount I have learned in just ten weeks.” And another, “I'm sure we've made some great contacts and friendships during our time here – I know I have.”
I believe that the
most powerful part of the course is the opportunity it provides for people to do away with the loneliness of writing and, at the press of a button,
engage with dozens of like-minded writers who all work together to create a shared creative experience. Because every course is made up of unique individuals, every course is different.
Each ten-week teaching session is a melting pot of personalities and ideas. One student put it this way: “What struck me also is the wealth of talent! It will be a warm fuzzy feeling to see your names in print and see the reviews in the press – as if you are familiar to me already.” The result? Well, I think one student put it best: “I have been stuck in a very bad place as far as creative writing is concerned for the last five or so years. Suddenly I have come alive again. I am writing again.”
But my favourite comment came from a freelance editor who was also a student:
"I like and respond well to the online format, and feel the way the course is structured – with modules being released at regular intervals rather than all at once upfront – creates and maintains interest. This gives the process a momentum I don't feel one gets (from other courses), and brings the classroom/lecture hall environment right into one's study. In fact, the round table and assignment review forums add a dimension and richness that I didn't even experience when I was studying full time (but then, that was eons ago ... and long before the advent of the internet!)"
GetSmarter TeamI was very pleased to receive many kind emails from students who finished the course and considered it “money well spent”. There can be no doubt that the entire course rests not only on the quality of the students but also on the fabulous expertise of the
GetSmarter team. The students were lavish with their compliments: “Thanks too to Jill and all at GetSmarter for seamlessly handling the considerable admin that must be involved in running a course like this. I love the GetSmarter model!” and “I will be missing your sunny good mornings, SMSes and emails to notify me of modules and my progress!”
Getting publishedThe next step is to wait for student manuscripts to be submitted to GetSmarter for consideration by RHS. My feeling is that there are some e
xcellent writers who took that course and are certainly writing publishable material. I hope that by year’s end we will be able to announce that a student has gotten a book contract from RHS. It’s bound to happen.
I am greatly looking forward to teaching the next session.
Applications close 17 September 2010 and already the queries are coming in to my office. I just hope we can repeat the success of the last course!
Ronald Irwin is the Course Convener for the Random House Struik Creative Writing Course. Ron is an American professional literary agent, editor and author based in Cape Town, South Africa.
