Pheby, Alex (2010) The myth of isolation: Its effect on literary culture and creative writing as a discipline. Creative Writing: Teaching Theory & Practice, 2 (1). pp. 51-58. ISSN 2040-3356

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Abstract

The myth of the writer’s isolation undermines the project of teaching Creative Writing, particularly at PhD level, yet it is an idea that is actively fostered by the structures and often the staff of the institutions that offer creative writing degrees. By abnegating their pedagogic responsibilities, many universities are enforcing a de facto domination of commercial influence, ignoring the wider social functions of Creative Writing practice, and failing to contribute to a literary culture. At a time in which creativity is increasingly focussed on the marketing and sale of ‘product,’ this undermines literary experiment and the non-commercial possibilities for writing. Universities must undermine the pernicious myth of isolation, alter the pedagogical structures which unwittingly foster it, contribute to process centred understandings of Creative Writing, and offer alternative routes to literary recognition and publication.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	creative writing, teaching, theory, practice
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0080 Criticism
Faculty / Department / Research Group:	Faculty of Architecture, Computing & Humanities > Department of Literature, Language & Theatre
Last Modified:	18 Jul 2016 16:28
Selected for GREAT 2016:	None
Selected for GREAT 2017:	None
Selected for GREAT 2018:	None
Selected for GREAT 2019:	None
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/15636

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