This is something I go off about occassionally, so don’t expect this to be my final say on the matter. However, each time it’s just a little different…at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

When I was 18, I opted to keep working instead of going to college. At the time it was for some very distinct reasons. I didn’t qualify for any grants or scholarships and didn’t want to be in debt to student loans. The schools I was accepted to were not near home, and while I didn’t have a problem leaving home (I had already moved out of my parents’ house), I did have a problem not having a job whever I was going. I didn’t like the ‘school’ part of high school, so why would I pay someone to make me sit through it again, but more intense? Those were my reasons then. Since then, most of my reasons have centered around money and time. Result? At 35, I’ve never gone to college, and do not have a college diploma.

Now, the other side of the coin. When I was 19, I got a job in technical support. I’d never worked with computers before (not really), but my brother taught me enough to squeak my way through the interview, and I (fortunately) I learn quickly. Sixteen years later, I’m a database developer with a skill set that gets me into some very interesting industries, and a salary that increases more than cost of living on an annual basis.

At this point in the blog, if you’re still reading, you may be asking two questions. 1) Is she bragging and/or telling us college and bad? and 2) What the *bleep* does this have to do with writing? Answer to #1 – not even close.

Answer to #2 – Maybe I should stop opening every entry with snippets of my personal life. Wait, no, that’s not it. But the real answer does relate back to question 1. I read so much work and correspondence from people who have decided they can write because they took classes, read books, or even who have degrees in creative writing. I’ve also read the same from people who are software developers, work in small retail shops, and have no training whatsoever.

Regardless of the level of ‘training’ any one of these people has, their ability to tell a good story is still the key component in whether or not I read more of their work. I don’t care if they obey every ‘rule’ in the non-existent ‘Contemporary writer’s guide to appropriate writing’; if the story isn’t there, I don’t care how appropriate their use of adverbs is or how much showing they do instead of telling.

To spell it out. Am I saying that classes/school/learning techniques are useless? Not even close. I didn’t go to college because it wasn’t right for me. The guy next to me with a degree is just as effective at his job, and he’s got an MFA in…something. And the same thing goes with learning things about writing. Learn what you’re comfortable learning, and educate yourself as little or as much as you feel you need to hone your craft. I’ve certainly read books and participated in huge slews of critique groups who spout the ‘rules’ like scripture.

What I am saying is that the base ability to create a compelling story line…the talent to build worlds and suspend disbelief…can’t be replaced by books and classes. Technically accurate doesn’t matter an inch if I have to read a story that’s not compelling. Then again, I’ll never read the best story ever told if it’s presented with so many gramatical and spelling errors that I can’t divine meaning.

That’s just me though. Balance in everything, including the tools you use to write. The rest of y’all may feel that one or the other trumps. Feel free to let us all know.