Against Creative Writing

The rise of Creative Writing has been accompanied by two questions: can it be taught, and should it be taught? Against Creative Writing explores the difference between 'writing, which is what writers do, and Creative Writing, which is the instrumentalization of what writers do. It argues in favor of Creative Writing as a form of hands-on literary education at undergraduate level and a form of literary apprenticeship at graduate level, but against those forms that lose sight of literary values.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 13 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The emergence of creative writing has been accompanied by two fundamental questions since its inception: can it be taught, and should it be taught? This skepticism extends even to those who teach it, often finding themselves caught between two contradictory identities: the artistic and the academic.

Against Creative Writing delves into the distinction between 'writing,' which is the act of writing itself, and 'creative writing,' which is the instrumentalization of writing. It begins by examining the question of whether writing can or should be taught, and then explores the justifications for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral courses in creative writing. The book concludes with a discussion of the divided role of the writer who teaches, highlighting the potential conflicts and challenges that arise from combining artistic and academic pursuits.

In favor of creative writing, the book argues that it can serve as a valuable form of hands-on literary education at the undergraduate level, providing students with practical skills and techniques for writing and storytelling. It also advocates for creative writing as a literary apprenticeship at the graduate level, particularly in expanding access to new voices and perspectives. The book criticizes those forms of creative writing that prioritize vocational goals over literary values, such as curricular couplings with non-literary subjects or the excessive emphasis on developing skills for future employment.

Against Creative Writing is written for other writers, whether they are currently enrolled in creative writing programs or are practicing writers outside the academy. It offers insights and perspectives that can be valuable to both creative and critical writers, seeking to bridge the gap between artistic and academic approaches to writing.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138593572