Your advice was so helpful and I’m currently going through all the paragraphs of a short story I’m writing and asking ‘what’s the point? What’s the problem?‘ thank you ♥️
I love your idea of numbering the paragraphs in a non-fiction piece. Too often I spend hours just moving things around then deciding that I haven’t really improved the piece at all. What I need to do is work out why it isn’t working.
Also, I would love to do an MA but worry that it’s just a another form of procrastination. (This only applies to me, I admire your efforts greatly).
I hope the paragraph numbering works for you! It probably reveals something very nerdy about the way my brain works, but whatever – I hope I won't be the only person who finds it helpful.
I understand what you're saying about an MA. When I was applying to Birkbeck, a friend who has published several books told me I was just procrastinating and should forget it and get on with my writing instead. I think he was wrong, because I wasn't just procrastinating – I was stuck, and the MA has helped me to move forward.
Thanks so much for sharing the link to your post. It was very helpful, as were the comments. Now I want to do a masters at Birbeck, but I live in Australia so it's a bit far to travel. We have plenty of options here of course, but none of them really grab me. Also, I already have a masters degree in adult education, so I feel that embarking on yet another course is somewhat unnecessary. But I love the idea of being about to talk about books and writing with like-minded people. I realise that I don't need to be enrolled in an MA to do that, but sometimes I feel like I'm boring my non-writer friends.
I've been looking at the memoir course offered by Curtis Brown Creative. Do you or any of your readers have any thoughts on this? It looks interesting.
Yes the weekly commute to Birkbeck might be a bit much. I have a friend who's doing the memoir course at CBC but she's only just started – perhaps I can ask her what she thinks in a few weeks (remind me if I don't come back to you!). I took another online course there, in character development, and found it really helpful.
Thanks Hattie. I’d love to know what your friend thinks. I’ve done a couple of short courses through Creative Nonfiction in the USA and they were useful. To be honest, one was better than the other. A lot depends on the instructor.
Thank you Hattie! I really needed to hear all of this today. And this is also a really beautifully articulated piece, so thank you! X
Thanks Ella, that's really kind! x
Right behind you! (Well 2 years behind you, starting this MA in 2 weeks) have loved your insight on it.
Good luck! wheee are you going?
Thank you! Birkbeck, starting shortly :)
Good luck with the new term! It’ll be brilliant 😍
Congrats! These are great tips. It definitely helps when you’re able to get another perspective that can see your blind spots.
Your advice was so helpful and I’m currently going through all the paragraphs of a short story I’m writing and asking ‘what’s the point? What’s the problem?‘ thank you ♥️
Ah does it work for you? I hope so!
I think so - I’m too in the thick of it to see 😉
Congratulations on handing in your dissertation 👏👏👏 An epic achievement
Thank you!! xx
Congratulations on getting it done Hattie😉
I love your idea of numbering the paragraphs in a non-fiction piece. Too often I spend hours just moving things around then deciding that I haven’t really improved the piece at all. What I need to do is work out why it isn’t working.
Also, I would love to do an MA but worry that it’s just a another form of procrastination. (This only applies to me, I admire your efforts greatly).
I hope the paragraph numbering works for you! It probably reveals something very nerdy about the way my brain works, but whatever – I hope I won't be the only person who finds it helpful.
I understand what you're saying about an MA. When I was applying to Birkbeck, a friend who has published several books told me I was just procrastinating and should forget it and get on with my writing instead. I think he was wrong, because I wasn't just procrastinating – I was stuck, and the MA has helped me to move forward.
If it's helpful – I wrote a post a little while ago covering some of the pros and cons of doing an MA, which you can find here: https://inwriting.substack.com/p/should-you-do-a-creative-writing
So true. I don’t think a course is procrastinating at all - it’s the space to write and it’s made me take my writing seriously!
Thanks so much for sharing the link to your post. It was very helpful, as were the comments. Now I want to do a masters at Birbeck, but I live in Australia so it's a bit far to travel. We have plenty of options here of course, but none of them really grab me. Also, I already have a masters degree in adult education, so I feel that embarking on yet another course is somewhat unnecessary. But I love the idea of being about to talk about books and writing with like-minded people. I realise that I don't need to be enrolled in an MA to do that, but sometimes I feel like I'm boring my non-writer friends.
I've been looking at the memoir course offered by Curtis Brown Creative. Do you or any of your readers have any thoughts on this? It looks interesting.
Yes the weekly commute to Birkbeck might be a bit much. I have a friend who's doing the memoir course at CBC but she's only just started – perhaps I can ask her what she thinks in a few weeks (remind me if I don't come back to you!). I took another online course there, in character development, and found it really helpful.
Thanks Hattie. I’d love to know what your friend thinks. I’ve done a couple of short courses through Creative Nonfiction in the USA and they were useful. To be honest, one was better than the other. A lot depends on the instructor.
Very true!