Los Angeles Magazine restaurant critic Patric Kuh teaches a food writing workshop starting Saturday at UCLA Extension's Downtown branch, and Kuh says there are still spaces available in case anyone's interested. I was hoping to speak about food blogging at next Tuesday's class if enough people sign up for the class. There are college journalism credits available, and the class is $315.
Given yesterday's sad news about Gourmet closing, it's understandable that writers might be on the fence about food writing.
On the other hand, May's International Food Blogger Conference in Seattle sold out quickly, and the BlogHer Food conference sounded popular also. Then there's the luxurious Food Blogger Camp in January at Club Med Ixtapa -- wonder how many people have plunked down $2000 or so for that one?
What does it all mean? Why are people willing to pay so much to improve their blogging when there's so little money to be made? Maybe they just like getting out and meeting other bloggers?
9 comments:
i think it's that the notion, whether true or not, still exists that blogging and writing are two different things (i do). writing is often, but does not have to be a component of blogging. one can be a fantastic and successful blogger and get away with not being able to put together a compelling paragraph. on the other hand, it seems you can be a gifted writer but will eventually need to do some form of blogging.
so while traditional, formal, professional writing seems to be going away (newspapers, magazines...books?) i think it's more that all of it sort of converging into one big blogesque orgy that is still evolving, daily. calling things "blogger" conferences and seminars is accidental marketing - it makes it more accessible to every day people like me. something called a "writing class" sounds really formal and almost too serious.
(sorry that my comment is so poorly organized and rambles - that's probably the longest thing i've written in MONTHS. even emails these days look like IM messages)
I might agree that food writing in the formal sense isn't in high demand. there is such a small market for long form food writing such as magazine articles and books, there really isn't any reason for people to aspire to them anymore. Blogs are so much easier to create and accessible to anyone. If I could, I would attend Kuh's class, just so I could formalize a bit of my writing.
In my opinion, writing and blogging are not mutually exclusive.
No matter what you call it, there is value in writing classes. Over the years, I've taken writing classes at both UCLA Extension and MediaBistro, and every time, I walked away a better writer. At the very least, it's a great way to become accustomed to deadlines and works as a motivator to build a routine. If the instructor's good - and I'm guessing Kuh might have some valuable advice - people's writing might even improve.
i was very interested in this class, but it's in LA, on a weekday. There's no way I'm getting to la la land by 7pm :[
Damn, I wish that I could take it. But the price is a little steep. Thanks for writing about it -- maybe next time!
That is too bad. Maybe "food writing" does sound more intimidating and/or formal in these gonzo bloggy times.
Patrick Kuh guest spoke to a food writing class that Jesse Katz taught at UC Irvine. Patrick was interesting, engaging, and appeared to have a lot to offer in regards to the subject. I'd highly recommend Kuh's class (and, of course, any class Jesse Katz teaches as well).
hey, thanks for inspiring me to take patric's class. i'll be there to hear you speak on tuesday!
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