There have never been so many opportunities to learn how to write fiction.

Universities, faced by falling demand for traditional humanities degrees, are increasingly offering creative writing courses alongside, or instead of, English Literature.

You can now take an A Level in the subject. Everywhere you look there are workshops and masterclasses.

However, not everybody believes this is a good thing.

It has been suggested that creative writing courses produce dull, identikit fiction. There are those who believe that creativity cannot, and indeed should not, be taught.

At this point I should declare an interest.

I run a creative writing course at the Midland Arts Centre (MAC) , as well as workshops and a writers' group, and I provide mentoring and consultancy to emerging writers.

If I didn't believe that these were helpful, I would be the worst kind of charlatan.

I don't believe that you can teach creativity.

The story that you choose to tell is a profound expression of yourself, blending your experiences, your reading, your learning and your insight, and nobody should dictate it to you.

But you can develop a more creative frame of mind; to be more confident in your ideas, more receptive to inspiration.

There are some things you have to unlearn, too.

At school we're taught to consider “good writing” as being flowery, verbose, laden with adjectives.

In fact good fiction writing is clear and simple.

Your prose should be like a window, clean and transparent so that we can see your story through it.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of creative writing courses is the company of other writers. The best way to learn how to write is to write, write and write some more.

But this can be difficult, when we're plagued by self-doubt and distractions.

Simply being around other people who share the same passion, who are grappling with the same demons and experiencing the same highs and lows, can make all the difference.

If you've always dreamed of writing, but don't know where to start, come to Pow-Wow Litfest on Sunday 15th September.

You'll hear from successful authors; it's reassuring to discover that they suffer from the same problems as everybody else, but that these challenges can be overcome. You'll learn about the business of literature, about agents, prizes, and the new opportunities offered by self-publishing.

Most importantly, you'll meet other writers, in a friendly, informal environment,and find out they're people just like you.

And just maybe, in future years, it could be you on stage, talking about your best-seller or award-winning book, sharing your experiences with others, and telling them how it all began at a literary festival in a pub.

• This year’s Pow-Wow LitFest takes place on Sunday September 15, from noon, at The Prince of Wales, Moseley.

Tickets are available on the door or at www.powwowlitfest2013.eventbrite.com