Throughout history, literature has remained surrounded by a magic that renders it a certain special charm. This charm, created by self-taught novelists, poets and dramatists over centuries, is preserved thanks to their novels, essays, poems and short stories. In our age, characterised as it is by the massive presence of new technologies and large amounts of information, writing workshops have been created to recover the literary magic of yesteryear.

Writing schools not only aim to preserve this art, but to develop all its facets by fomenting creativity and imagination among young lovers of literature. These workshops have grown and strengthened throughout the 20th century with the support of intellectuals, artists and writers, giving birth to ultra modern movements. In short, these groups and schools aim to teach vocational writers the techniques required for them to free their imagination.

Boosting creativity
The methods and strategies used in writing workshops are based on boosting each person's inner creativity, combining the knowledge with imagination, the real with the unreal, the rational with the irrational; in other words strengthening the personal skills of each creator. Hence, the basic aim of these writing schools, apart from imparting theories and methods, is to develop writing skills and share them with the rest via study and analysis.

 

What is more, the aspiring writers are encouraged to find their target public and are given the opportunity to publish their works, short stories and scripts via magazines, web sites, books or reading sessions.

Writing workshops are also often supported by prestigious writers and intellectuals who not only impart their knowledge of the different styles and genres in which they specialise (theatre, prose or poetry), but also take full part in the workshops' literary projects.

The courses on offer are Creative Writing, Writer's Tools, Writing for the Internet, Poetic Creation, Oral Narration, Children's and Young Adult's Literature, Construction of a Film Script, among others. The support given by these centres to literature, to the creation of the number of intellectuals and literary figures and to the teamwork that encourages professionals and converts them into critics, all serves to help keep the magic of literary expression alive.

Where to go:
If you fancy joining a writing workshop, here is a list of associations, schools and official organisations that give courses covering all branches of writing:

Cultural centres and associations
- La Casa de Am�rica (Madrid). Historic and cultural institution that organises readings and conferences on different authors and literary movements.

- C�rculo de Bellas Artes  (Madrid). Official organisation which offers cultural and artistic presentations. Organises one-day literary events.

- Asociaci�n de Autores de Teatro (Madrid). Playwright's association founded in 1990 aimed at encouraging, defending and training future playwrights and supporting this art.

- Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dram�tico (RESAD).  Theatre school that has been training professionals (actors, directors, playwrights and stage managers) via personalised teaching for over half a century. There are practical workshops for pupils.

- Casal D'associacions Juvenil (Barcelona).  Association aimed at promoting culture amongst youngsters via meetings, courses and workshops.

- Muestra de Autores Contempor�nes (Alicante). Cultural organisation that promotes the latest developments in writing and stage management. 

- Escuela de las Letras (Madrid). Institution aimed at teaching various writing techniques and directed by Juan Carlos Su��n. Offers a wide range of specialised courses, as well as Literary Creation and Critical Reading. Also has a library, website and magazine.