School of the Arts: Creativity and camaraderie converge in the North Woods

For teacher, the program inspires growth, ‘humility’

Photo of three generations of the Dent family

“If you want to be a writer, write every day, and read,” advises Marshall Cook, a professor of creative writing at UW-Madison who teaches the Basics of Fiction class at School of the Arts.

Marshall Cook relishes the “aha” moments he’s experienced teaching at School of the Arts 18 times during the past 24 years.

“I see leaps of confidence,“ says Cook, a professor of creating writing with the Division of Continuing Studies of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“People come in apprehensive and by the end of the week, they are full of confidence,” he says.

“I learn so much from my students here — their insights, seeing their breakthroughs, their enthusiasm. I always take that away with me.”

Some students have nowhere else in their lives where the urge to write — or paint or play music — is valued. Yet, they come and take a chance in an environment where the urge to create is understood and honored.

“It’s taught me humility,” Cook says.

The real test will be whether new writers — and other fledgling artists — will be able to keep up their work once they return to the demands of everyday life.

“Writing is all about repetition,” Cook says. “If you want to be a writer, write every day, and read. No matter what setbacks you meet, just keep writing.”