The craft of writing fiction is not often taught – and when taught poorly can frustrate writers. I tried a class when I was sixteen, and the instructor went about it the wrong way by trying to teach Grammar first. Sorry, that should be an adjunct elective!
Teaching the craft of writing fiction should be an analysis of story structure, three act writing, scenes and chapters and then an analysis of Good writing vs. Bad.
A whole class should be dedicated to identifying purple prose and the need to ruthlessly eliminate.
The assignment should be to complete writing a novel by the end of the course.
Okay, English teachers – get busy.
