On the Teaching of Creative Writing: Responses to a Series of Questions

by Wallace Stegner, Edward Connery Lathem (Editor)

One of America's finest writers talks about the difficulties, rewards, and importance of teaching creative writing.

Wallace Stegner writes ". . . the language itself is an inheritance, a shared wealth. It may be played with, stretched, forced, bent; but I, as a writer or teacher, must never assume that it is mine. It is ours, the living core, as well as the instrument, of the culture I derive from, resist, challenge, and--ultimately--serve. . . . nobody can teach anyone else to have a talent. All a teacher can do is set high goals for students--or get them to set them for themselves--and, then, try to help them reach those goals."

A half-century's wisdom on teaching and learning creative writing is distilled in this brief discussion by one of America's pre-eminent authors. Anyone who has taught or participated in a creative writing class will find Stegner's insights invaluable.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Wallace Earle Stegner was an American historian, novelist, short story writer, and environmentalist. Some call him "The Dean of Western Writers." He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1972 and the U.S. National Book Award in 1977.

Reviews

[Kevin Priest · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging interview with Stegner that reveals a wonderful evolution of creative writing instruction in this country. It's especially fascinating to have studied creative writing at university in it's current form and to understand, from Stegner's summary, how we got here. Additionally, Stegner's explication of pedagogy and classroom management reinforce good teaching practices that I hear/read about today. It's wonderful to see how some things have changed, while others--time tested methods--have remained essentially the same. An excellent, quick read.

[F.C. Shultz]

“The people who are really going to be writers don’t need urging to pay attention to their lives and experience.”

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will change the way you write. The way you read. The way you think about reading and writing. It's brilliant. Drop what you're doing and go read it, right now- you can thank me later.

[Judy]

" A successful creative writer must be a developed person, a talanted person, and a person willing to work at it. If all those qualities are established or at least going in that direction, then creative writing classes can possibly aid the student."

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stand by what I said initially that this should be required reading from both creative writing students and instructors prior to or at the beginning of the semester. Great insights and wisdom.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little 45-minute read; interview style; crisp and clear; Stegner gives a succinct history of creative writing in the academy which reminded me how new the MFA concept really is; seems very respectful as a teacher, taking students seriously.

For me, this bit shows great respect & care:

“The internal part is the student’s own business. Only he or she knows what is intended; only he or she can perform or realize it. A teacher should understand that intention, but not try to control it. He doesn’t have to invent this young writer, he only has to help train him. … Negative capability, a phrase that Keats used, is what is needed here: sympathy, empathy, a capacity to enter into another mind without dominating it. Strong-minded teachers with narrow views of their function are more likely to give student attitudes he must live down, than help in assuming his own full stature.” (44-5)

[Corey Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only there were more intellectuals in the public education sector we (who teach literacy) would be reading this, stretching our own understanding of our own processes and needs in order to help those students who we teach. I much rather have a literacy coach, principal or colleague hand me this than some photocopied pages out of an "eduacation" book that has some phrase including writing all over the front with a picture of a teacher hunched over a desk while a group of students write diligently in front of the teacher. And if a middle school such as myself cannot relate this to their practice, they shouldn't be teaching. Harsh I know, damn this passion...

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for more of a nuts and bolts manual on how Stegner taught creative writing. This is a Q&A setup and, while he does offer some practical and specific advice, it's overall kind of general. It's good advice, but nobody will build a syllabus based on this book.

The volume itself is very impressive! A classic cover and heavy, stiff cream paper with a bold typeface. I cringed every time the spine popped a little as I read through it.

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bullet points: Talent kan ikke bli lært, alle har talent i noe, skriving er en disiplin som må gjentas daglig for å bli best, klassekamerater kan inspirere innsats, lær av kritikk, når tekst er trykket får det tre ganger mer mening, en bok er en veksling av tanker.

[Gary McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best words on the topic that I've found.

[Sarah]

On the Teaching of Creative Writing: Responses to a Series of Questions by Wallace Stegner (1989)