Creative Writing @ Cal

[Mandragora]

<p>A question for you Bears: have any of you (or your friends) taken classes in the Creative Writing department? If so, could you share your experience?</p>

<p>I’m very interested in writing and have already had some success in getting minor publications, but I’m looking to grow and would like to consider minoring in CrWri. I’m curious, though, how grading works in classes like these; “good” writing is so subjective, and I’m so seldom truly inspired to write something wonderful that I would worry about due dates and such. I’m no “soulless GPA monger,” but I want to know what I should anticipate if I elect to take writing classes (and whether I’d be better off to take them pass/no pass).</p>

<p>Grades aside, did you evolve as a writer? Were you given ample feedback and criticism? How were your instructors, and are there any you’d recommend?</p>

<p>Any information on the program would be appreciated!</p>

[conor]

<p>I don't know too much about creative writing courses becasue I have yet to take one, but I do know that they are pretty competitive to get into. You have to submit an aplication+writing sample the semester before, and the classes are generally pretty small so there are a ton of rejections. I think one class is taught by Ismail Reed, who is a internationally known Novelist/essayist/social critic type of guy, so I can only imagine that the class would be a pretty great experience.</p>

[darkling]

<p>Doesn't maxine hong kingston also teach at Berkeley?</p>

[conor]

<p>She doesn't teach anymore. I think ishe's the head of one part of the English department now, but I'm not sure.</p>