One Thing I’ve Learnt …
I’ve been writing for seven years now, and teaching writing
for nearly a year, and one thing I’ve learnt is that you never stop learning.
One of the most satisfying things about teaching writing is
that I learn as much from my students as, I hope, they learn from me. Every
time a student asks a question about writing it makes me examine how and why I
write as I do. Every time I do a critique of a story for a student I learn
something that I know will help me in my own writing.
I’ve also learnt that I love teaching. Explaining to others
how short stories work, and how to write them well, is a joy. And when a
student ‘gets it’, and I realise I’ve been able to help them achieve that
eureka moment, it makes it all worthwhile. Recently, one of my students sold
her first story and I think I was almost as excited as she was.
Learning as you go is one of the best things about writing,
and as I continue to write, and try new and different styles of writing, I hope
to keep learning, improving and being able to share that with others through
teaching.
12 comments:
I agree with everything you wrote, Helen.
They make me think back to that lovely film, The King and I, and to the introduction to Getting to Know You '...by your pupils you'll be taught...'
Liz X
Ditto what Liz said and I love that film!!
lx
These days a remake would probably be entitled THE KING AND MYSELF.
Teaching writing must be almost as satisfying as writing?
Philip - you always make me smile!
lx
Thanks, everyone. Yes, teaching writing is fabulous. I feel very lucky.
I think that teaching is one of those things that if the bug bites you, you stay bitten -- much like writing. I'm so happy for you that you found this other outlet for your creativity!
Sue - i second that!
lx
Great post Helen.
I think it's so true that you never stop learning. When I look back at stuff I wrote a few years ago I can see how far I've come, and will probably feel the same if I'm lucky enough to still be writing years from now!
I have recently signed up and attended two of Helen's courses - The Hop On Hop Off online course was brilliant and well worth the very reasonable cost. It especially suits those students who are working elsewhere and find it difficult to attend classes.
Helen's workshops are a must if you live anywhere within reasonable travelling distance of Northampton. I spent a lovely Saturday in the company of other writers, and Helen's teaching style is just right.
You are so right, Helen, in that you never stop learning when writing, but I think that's what makes us writers because it seems to me that true writers never stop striving for perfection. I suspect, in our own heads, we don't ever reach it.
I am sure you are an inspiration to many people Helen :-)
Annie - I think that is the case and it's probably a good thing although at times dispiriting...
Diane - Helen is an inspiration to me!
lx
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