What have you done to improve your writing skills? e.g. books on writing; regular blogs; writing groups; online forums; writing courses (e.g. arvon) or further post graduate study.

I've read countless books on writing - Marterclass in fiction; On writing; writing down the bones amongst others.
I've read lots of books about grammar including Strunk and White.
I have taken part in various online writing forums ABCtales; Youwriteon; UKAauthors
I used to read Nathan's blog, but tend to read Emma Darwin's the most and occasionally read articles in the Bookseller and other random links from here and blogs.
I subscribe to Mslexia
I have a writing buddy, we critique over email and meet every month or so for face to face discussion.
I have sort out and read 'great' literature - stuff I feel I ought to have read - and also read voraciously in my genre of commercial/ book club fiction.
I've entered numerous comps (and been placed in some)
I've applied to a couple of mentoring schemes (not been successful yet)

I wouldn't rule out a course in short story writing and I would love to find the time to do an MA.

Has any of the above improved my writing? Well of course it has, but I couldn't directly point to one thing and say that was it. Learning to write a story that people want to buy is an ever evolving process and it's also a lot persistence and luck (e.g. writing the right thing at the right time).

But I am tired of the anti-learning culture on here, who revel in their ignorance of craft and think an MA will turn you into a robot, so let this thread be a place where we can celebrate all our endeavours to improve our writing.

What have you done?

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:01:33

Juliet, you have no idea what a can of worms you've just opened up.

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:04:18

Duck and cover.

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:05:18

this is a writing site guys

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:05:56
Last Edit: 05/02/2011 10:07:44 by Juliet Ann

I've been more interested in story structure. I think The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell), The Seven Basic Plots (Christopher Booker) and The Writer's Journey (Christopher Vogler) should be on every writer's desk. And I'd dearly like to go on one of the Arvon courses.

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:07:05

I've been more interested in story structure. I think The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Joseph Campbell), The Seven Basic Plots (Christopher Booker) and The Writer's Journey (Christopher Vogler) should be on every writer's desk. And I'd dearly like to go on one of the Arvon courses.

...and I'll stick my head above the parapet with you Juliet and state: yes, writing is a craft as well as an art. There are elements that can - and must - be learned.

...unless, of course, one is an authentic, original, intuitive literary genius who doesn't need to be taught anything. Fortunately we are blessed with a wealth of those on authonomy.

Posted: 05/02/2011 10:13:48

...and I'll stick my head above the parapet with you Juliet and state: yes, writing is a craft as well as an art. There are elements that can - and must - be learned.

...unless, of course, one is an authentic, original, intuitive literary genius who doesn't need to be taught anything. Fortunately we are blessed with a wealth of those on authonomy.

Yes, you're right Steven. I've learnt a lot from books about writing, an excellent writers group and comments I've had on here. The trick is to sift the comments and think carefully.

Duck and cover.