Samantha asked Jennifer Donnelly:

Hi Ms Donnelly. Hope you are well. I recently read this article (http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/14/creative-writing-courses-advice-students), and I was wondering what your take on the opinion that creative writing courses are "a waste of time", in that, "writing can't be taught" - either some people have it, or they don't. As an English undergrad, what was your experiences with creative writing courses?

Jennifer Donnelly Hi Samantha, I haven't read the article, but I think abilities are something you're born with. I could study acting for the next ten years, and still be every bit as useless at it as I am now. I just don't have those muscles. That said, I think you have to work very hard to develop your gifts, whatever they may be. And for some writers, creative writing classes, or graduate school, or a writers' group, is part of that work.

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