Rethinking Creative Writing

by Stephanie Vanderslice

In this passionate, iconoclastic, survey of Creative Writing as an academic discipline, Stephanie Vanderslice provides a provocative critique of existing practice. She challenges enduring myths surrounding creative writing - not least, that writers learn most from workshops. Through case studies of best practice from America and elsewhere, Vanderslice provides a vision of change, showing how undergraduate and postgraduate programs can be reformed to re-engage with contemporary culture.

Genres: Writing

143 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2011

About the author

A Huffington Post writing life blogger (The Geek's Guide to the Writing Life) and university creative writing teacher, I write fiction and creative nonfiction (memoir) and have published many books and essays on creative writing in higher education. Represented by Anne Bohner at Pen and Ink Literary, my fictional territory remains the German and Irish neighborhoods of Queens, NY in the last century, where I grew up.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I don't give many "it was amazing" ratings, but this one really was. If I am to sum up the reaction to this book in a single word, it's "urgency."

The subject matter is the philosophy, ideology, and practice of teaching creative writing in undergrad and graduate programs. In five chapters, Vanderslice discusses the current state of this teaching, the necessary elements of both undergraduate and graduate programs, the ins and outs of the practice of writer's workshop, and exemplary programs.

In the first four chapters she also offers "Notes from the Field," in which she offers a personal insight relevant to the chapter.

Her message is clear and insistent: we can do this better, and it's time we did.

The simply beautiful thing about the theme in these 128 pages is that the science of "doing something better" runs completely through it. Vanderslice has demonstrated exactly how anyone can refine a practice by breaking it down to it's essential elements, studying how it's been done in the past, separating what works from what doesn't, and gleaning from the practitioners who know it best.

And if the reader is a writer, or a teacher of writing, it's just that much better. And as I am those, my personal response was to sit up straighter and to think more deeply about my own writing life and teaching practice, to be more responsible in what I do. This quick read is a necessary call to arms to teachers and graduate students in writing programs everywhere.

Mike

Shade Tree Writings

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone teaching in an undergraduate or graduate creative writing program as well as to anyone who makes a living of writing or teaching writing: Vanderslice provides a much-needed synthesis of the pedagogy of creative writing compiled in the last 20 years, unflinchingly analyses the goals and outcomes of many MFA programs and makes recommendations for a future that takes into account a changing constituency of creative writing students and an uncertain and ever shifting future for the creative arts. I found this book inspiring, a call to arms to all of us who care about literature and about creating a community of readers and writers.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking look at how creative writing is and could be taught in undergraduate and graduate programs in the US, UK, and Australia. With an emphasis on responsible teaching that prepares students for a professional writing life and develops a culture of literacy, Vanderslice maps a course for creative writing pedagogy and finds exemplary programs in the US and abroad. It is well worth the read as a reminder of what makes writing programs worth their salt and for its challenge to make them better.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, and I look forward to interviewing Stephanie about it on NWP Radio, April 12, 2012. People interested in creative writing pedagogy will love this book. Can creative writing be taught? Vanderslice answers that question with a resounding yes, and then proceeds to show us what we might do with creative writing programs, graduate and undergraduate, to make it so.

[Erika Dreifus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and important book. Please click here to read my interview with author Stephanie Vanderslice. (Complimentary review copy furnished by the publisher.)

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanderslice reviews creative writing programs and classes in various countries including the United States. Much of her focus is on undergraduate degrees. I loved reading her book and am certainly going to take some of her suggestions into my creative writing classroom. Still, I would have loved to have seen more discussion about teaching creative writing at the community college level (where I teach). She says that most of her students want to be part of the writing life and publishing world, so she makes it a point to discuss this part of the writing process in my class. My creative writing students, however, are often only taking the class towards an art credit or towards a General Education requirement. How does that change the dynamics of the class?

[Alexandra Calaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of how best to guide their writing students, or for anyone who wants to take a serious but fresh look at their own writing, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Wonderful essays. Inspiring ideas. Helpful and practical tips for writers of every age and every differing creative process.