‘The rainbow bridge’: writing and teaching in a regional context

Abstract

This discussion explores how place shapes the teaching of creative writing. More specifically, the paper considers how creative writing can be taught within a regional context where students may have limited access to literary knowledge, traditions and techniques. Drawing on the experience of teaching creative writing at a remote regional campus, the paper addresses issues of regionalism and culture in terms of how students are situated, geographically, educationally, socially, economically. The paper also incorporates an exploration of the dynamics of location and dislocation as a creative and pedagogical strategy.