There is a myth loose on the land that trying to teach or learn how to write a story is some kind of fraud, like selling shares in the Brooklyn Bridge.

I come to testify that this is false. You can do both. You most certainly can learn how to write fiction and you can teach it, too. The result will most likely be neither fame nor fortune, but rather the best kind of education there is.

My experience conforms to the sow’s ear maxim. Intelligence is the essence of a good writer. If you don’t have that in some degree there is s slim chance of developing expertise at the short story or novel.