The Chronicle: Colloquy: Responses

I teach Creative Writing in a Community College setting. If my students were required to take the traditional literature classes before they enrolled in my Creative Writing classes, many would drop out before ever discovering if they have any talent for the short story, poem, or novel. However, once they have been exposed to the elements of fiction and poetry and read some good contemporary works, their own curiosity takes over. Even if they never complete a four year degree, they are awakened to literature. They study it not from a critic's point of view, but from the intimate "how did he write this story" approach, which many critics still are not able to discuss or understand. No one can keep a natural writer from writing or reading, but professors can go a long way to help the student who is unsure of his talents find his way, often by turning to literature. The literature is always there and waiting whenever the student feels he is ready for it, so lets encourage him to write! There are many roads to self-education and no reason to limit their modes of travel.

: -- Cathryn Essinger, Edison Community College (posted 3/18, 10:40 a.m., U.S. Eastern time)

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