Writer : Training

Most writers will tell you that there is no formal or informal training for what is, essentially, a creative role. Writers stress the importance of staying in contact with peers for feedback as well as support, which can also be found through critical appraisal services (provided by local arts organisations), writers' circles or writers' courses and workshops.

Because of the solitary nature of the work, membership of organisations such as The Writers' Guild of Great Britain  and Society of Authors  becomes essential for peer review and maintaining contact with the literary world.

It is also extremely important to keep abreast of what is happening in the sector you want to contribute to. For example, if you want to write for radio, it is useful to listen to radio programmes to get a feel for what is successful, and to sign up for the BBC Radio Entertainment Writers’ Newsletter - go to BBC writersroom . If you want to write novels, it will help if you are a keen reader and write about what you know or are interested in.

For more specific training, you could consider the following:

• Organisations such as the Arvon Foundation  and Ty Newydd   provide regular courses where practising and published writers run workshops.
• Look out for courses in creative writing or novel writing at your local adult education centre.
• Some towns and cities have a resident writer who runs courses and gives advice - ask at your local library for details.