Does a writer need to attend courses?
Does a writer need to take a course to learn how to write? Similar to the nature / nurture debate, are writers born or made? Isn't it just a case of sitting at a computer or with a piece of paper and writing?
As with any profession or craft, there is an enormous amount to learn about writing:
Grammar & syntax
types of writing and writing styles
effective writing
writing for different genres
Then there is the whole business of writing:
identifying markets
writing query letters or pitching articles and stories
agents / publishers / e-publishing and how they work
The golfer Gary Player is credited with saying success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. For any writer to develop their talent, they need to work at it, hone it and improve their work.
I am a lifelong learner, and enjoy learning. I have a BA majoring in English, Psychology and Library Science (as well as a Bth and an Msc and assorted other quals) and have taught English. I have also attended writing workshops and completed a course with the Writer's Bureau. Every course I have taken or workshop I've attended has given me new insights into writing, and helped add skills. Most importantly, I have appreciated constructive feedback, which has allowed me to improve my work. (It's rare to get this from editors who reject your work!)
It's one thing to believe you can write, but having someone else affirm it is invaluable.
There can be a point where workshops and writer's groups become a distraction from writing, and allow opportunities to procrastinate, but for the budding writer, I believe they are essential.
If you can't afford formal courses, there is a great deal you can learn from good writing websites. It is possible to join writer's communities who provide feedback (Zoetrope is particularly good) Read about the skills of writing. Read and analyse different types of writing.
If you want to grow as a writer, you need to learn and hone your craft, and writer's courses are an important tool.