Novelist 101

A new course stimulates a long-running debate, as experts argue whether or not universities can train successful authors. Xing Yi reports.

The launch of a new master's program in writing by Beijing Normal University - a top Chinese university that is strong in Chinese literature - has stirred up an age-old debate on whether one can be taught to become a successful novelist.

Although it is not China's first advanced academic program in writing, the university is the first to claim that its course in "literary creation" aims to foster published authors. It has invited six established novelists and poets to be mentors for its students.

Fudan University in Shanghai has been recruiting masters of fine arts students in creative writing since 2010.

As the public questions if one could be trained to produce imaginative works, Zhang Qinghua, who is in charge of the program at the university, brushes away such doubts as "unfair".

"Many writers have learned writing in universities. So why can't we say that universities can foster future authors?" says Zhang, a vice-dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature.

"It's pointless to argue whether universities can produce authors or not, since there is no guarantee for universities to produce any kind of successful professionals, whether in the literary field, or in any other discipline. What's important is to provide a literary environment that will cultivate those students with talent and hone their craft."

Zhang thinks that the current curriculum in Chinese literature in universities has long neglected the training of writing, and the new master's program of literature creation is an attempt to rectify the situation.