Well, here's to another Monday! I'm getting ready to put together an article I'm writing on a local bluegrass festival, it's due next week. But before I get to work, I have a question for my fellow writers - have you ever taken a writing class? I've been throwing the idea around for awhile now... taking a class about writing fiction.
I've seen these classes offered at such places as Writer's Digest, Media Bistro and Gotham-often with a hefty price tag attached. Which leads me to my next question-is the class worth shelling out all that dough? Will it really help?
I am 20,000 words into my first YA novel(and stuck) and the proud owner of a picture book manuscript which has been rejected twice. It's not the rejection that bothers me(writing for magazines and newspapers, I'm used to it-I know it's part of the gig), it's wondering if taking a class is something I need to try to make my writing better.
So readers, let me know-have you taken a writing class? Did it help or was it a waste of time? What other things do you do(besides writing) to improve your craft?
Your writing is REALLY good, and you have a unique style, but your punctuation is not always correct. You've got what it takes; just polish it up with a class. :)
ReplyDeleteOr, purchase some books, like Writing in Style, by Bobbie Christmas. Also, if you can, go to a Writer's conference. There you can get a plethora of classes for a great price. Or, go to your local commuity college for a brush up. Where I live I can take on-line classes from two different colleges. They're usually 12 weeks long for about 99 bucks and you get a certificate at the end of each one. And, you meet other writers.
ReplyDeleteWriting classes are helpful. I've taken a few at the local community college and I didn't regret it.
ReplyDeleteHave you joined SCBWI? I was sceptical about it at first, but I have found the conferences to be very motivating.
I'm also writing a YA novel, and have a few picture books that have been rejected. So I'm sending them out again. So I know how you feel!
Nikki
I'm of no help here. I have not spent any money on classes as of yet. I have considered doing a workshop here and there but have not coughed up the coin for it yet.
ReplyDeleteFound your blog through one of my followers. Just stopping by to follow.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous-thank you so much for the compliment!
ReplyDelete@Shelly-Thanks! I 'll look into that here, we have three or four colleges in our area.
@Nikki- I have been thinking of joining the SCBWI, guess I need to take the plunge! I would love to go to a conference.It's nice to meet someone who writes the same genre as you do-stay in touch!
@Regina-I know how you feel. Some of those places were asking for big bucks for just a few weeks!
@Debra-Thank you!