I think that writing classes, by and large, are places where you build up the fuel or the fire that you need so that when you ultimately leave the writing class and have to do what all writers do, which is spend time by yourself, you have a reserve of wood that is primarily acquired through the comradeship of other writers.
When I had children I couldn’t, obviously, go off and do residential week-long seminars, but now that’s what I do — and I love it. It’s sort of like going to boarding school without having to do homework. I think writing classes, by and large, create communities that then sustain you when you have to go off and be alone. You obviously can’t write a novel in a week. You can learn something about it. You can hear from other people what is and isn’t working in your writing, but by and large I think it is the encouragement and the support you get from the others in the writing group that is what you really take away.
I like to have writing seminars in places that are blazingly beautiful, which is why my writing cottage is in Ashland, Virginia. It’s sort of a twofer. I’m not sure if I set up shop in Fresno that there would be that many people all that dying to come. I’m not that charismatic.
i use a combo of shea butter and aloe vera moisturizer. Works great. I use shea butter on my lips, around my eyes and nose (dry areas), My father swears by vasoline.
p.s. I dropped your name on Gina's post, Barb. ;)
So where to you find these seminars?
I would LOVE to do that. Now that I’m divorced and have a lot of spare time, it would be nice to go and know I won’t be 100% alone.
Hello devobuzz. Some members have posted recommendations here:
I hope these help!
Thanks!!
I took some creative writing in college – LOVED it. Had no idea where to go after that. I always thought I had to have a “practical” career. (I really do – but if I could write for extra income – or just to satisfy myself again . . . that would be great.)
The women on this site totally rock!
Buzz
Hi, just got your post. I hold a five day seminar at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, California this October. You can take a look at it on my web-site, http://www.nightwriters.com.
I go to a women’s music weekend (WoMaMu) at Bishop’s Ranch and it’s a great place, about 20 minutes outside Healdsburg among farms, with a view of Mt. Helena, and good food. I also go to a writers’ and artists’ retreat (men and woman) at another site run by the same folks, St. Dorothy’s Rest in Camp Meeker. Google St. Dorothy’s Rest for info. It’s not a workshop, but a place to write for a two day weekend in the spring or three days over Labor Day weekend and get feedback in the evenings. The writer-energy is terrific. The rule I like is, “If somebody is sitting and staring out the window, don’t interrupt them. They are working.”
Thanks for the quote from Kurt Vonnegut on your website.
Check out your local community college. They usually have courses in creative writing. Take a class to get you started, and you can go on from there.
Good luck.
Our County Aging Services
has Silver Pen Awards each year. I submitted an “I Believe” essay entitled, “You are Never too Old to Learn” which was broadcast on KUER – University of Utah’s radio station. I submitted another one for Aging Gracefully in the Twenty First Century – “Sixty is now the New Middle Age.” It was a winner in the respect that everyone who submitted an essay was a winner. Received a beneficial critique. Check your Community Colleges for a writing center for the public. Our Community College offers free writing assistance and workshops, some charge a nominal fee… They have workshops for this year’s essay – “Then and Now.”
Congratulations.
If you want to go on from there, you might try attending a writers conference. They offer critiques for manuscripts, and have workshops, writing contests, and offer appointments with agents and editors, and are great for networking. Two that I recommend are The Pikes Peak conference in Colorado Springs, and one that offered by San Diego State University in January. There might also be one in Utah. Look on the internet under Writers Conferences, then check out their websites to see the cost, etc.
Thank you for your input. I received a certificate from the Community College for an on-line travel writing course. One of the last assignments was to enroll in a writers’ conference. I went on the internet and looked up conferences and found one in Edmonds, Washinton – “Writing by the Sound” in Oct at an affordable price and an interesting and informative agenda. We were asked in class where we wanted to write? I said, ”In a house by the ocean looking at the water.” (Amended)
Thank you for your input. I received a certificate from the Community College for an on-line travel writing course. One of the last assignments was to enroll in a writers’ conference. I went on the internet and looked up conferences and found one in Edmonds, Washinton – “Writing by the Sound” in Oct at an affordable price and an interesting and informative agenda. We were asked in class where we wanted to write? I said, ”In a room, tastefully decorated, of course overlooking the ocean.”
Sorry it took me so long to respond. Check out http://www.nightwriters.com for my seminar in October. Then I’d suggest subscribing to Poets & Writers magazine, which has a wonderful, extensive list of seminars in the back of the book.
Belonging to a writers’ group that meets regularly is also a terrific resource for writers. I have found my writer friends to be honest with their critiques and generous with information sharing. I’ve gone to day long conferences, but never anything longer. Sounds like fun, though. Maybe after my youngest leaves the nest!
Belonging to a writers’ group is also a terrific resource. I have found my writer friends to be honest with their critiques and generous with information sharing. I have attended day long conferences, but never longer, though it sounds like fun. Maybe after my youngest leaves the nest.
The National Association of Memoir Writers holds teleclasses that build writing skills together and relationships with other writers. Once or twice a year NAMW found, Linda Joy Myers, leads fabulous weekend retreats. Check it out on the NAMW website: http://www.namw.org.
I self-published a book about my life (more than 20 years!) in a Tropical island. I will check this website out, sounds right up my alley!!!
A few years ago I took a Travel Writers course. It was very helpful, even if a bit dettached. I developed friendships and contacts, so it was worth it. Haven’t found a writers group where I live yet…….
Is there are writing club or association in Connecticut?
Writing is a wonderful way to see youself in this world. I find it incredibly healing to organize my thoughts. I think that I love editing as much as writing because that’s where the meaning can be shined. I want to write an epistolary novel. We used to own a cabin and when there, my writing would be unleashed. It was focused and clear. Yes setting is everything.
I have this bookmarked, and have shared it in Stumbled Upon because it has some wonderful resources. Your comments here are also chocked full of useful information. Great post!
I would so love to be able to take the time to do something like this. Do you know of anything similar in Canada? I’m going to have to check out all the information from you and those who have commented. I still work full time, but this sounds like something I could take a “holiday” for. Certainly food for thought.
I love this message because so many people think they can sit down with pen or computer and the world of writing is theirs. A writing class is a great way to measure your readiness to produce literature, or just plain junk. Junk is not always bad, because any writing gives you experience, but the real world expects more from someone who claims to be a writer. Lessons in your new craft (writing) give you an edge over anyone who thinks they can sit down at the computer and produce a best seller without literary skills taught in the language of your choice. Besides that, isn’t it smarter to test the waters in a class of newbies, like yourself, than by embarrasing yourself with items sent to experienced and sometimes not too kind editors. The exchange of ideas in these classes give you the edge that diversity of thought (your classmates and teachers) can provide. Sometimes this may even lead to publication, and the confidence you feel from your new found knowledge and writing habits will carry the day. Look into community groups (Writersa Clubs) that promote your accomplishments and some of those will be kinder to you than your editors are later on. They will give you the confidence to rework your writing and later submit it to a publishing company. Writers Digest and a few other magazines devoted to the craft will give you further inside information on publishing your work. WG has annual magazines devoted to what you need to get an agent or send a resume that might spark interest in the publisher or editor of a publication. Enjoy your classes or club meetings and enter their contests for the sheer reality of getting experience in your chosen field. It is fun as well as being educational. You will be even more intrigued with the craft if you get live feedback on a regular basis (which may not be all positive, but will expand your understanding of your craft.). Do go to the workshops presented in your area of the country because you will meet astoundingly helpful people who love the craft you have chosen even more than you do. Good luck and happy publishing! Carole
I have to admit I am now in a college-level English Lit program, but it doesn’t scratch the surface of what there is to know about writing. And truthfully, one with my experience I feel I should be a more accomplished writer. I do have to say that I’ve read books that were not worth publishing. Thanks to my college experience I am being exposed to the cannon -at least of what my professors value. It was great to read in the previous post that people expect more from writers. Conversely, I have often been annoyed by the implication that “anyone can do it” -especially from those who reliably can’t.
Thank you, Phyllis! Great ideas..
I would also like to recommend classes with Elizabeth Welles… http://www.elizabethwelles.com
I believe they are offered in California, Arizona and upstate New York…
As I am not free to travel, I participated in her "Telejournaling Class" which was wonderful!
It was my first writing class, and I do not consider myself "a writer", but I learned we all
have stories to tell, and expressing our thoughts and experiences, is a gift we give ourselves!
The name of the class was Journaling for Well-Being and Peace
Her first e-mail said, "Hello (and all our names)..
I am thrilled to be launching the Women Celebrate: Journaling for Well-Being & Peace Series in this new teleclass form. You are five amazing, intuitive, and powerful women and I look forward to being with all of you on the call. There may be a few more last minute comers, as well.
CIP Journaling
cip – think "creative, intuitive, peace" – and then the word journal.
Or make up an acronym that you like. "Confidant In Paradise."
Might as well start playing with words and having fun now! "
Each week we had topics, and we all approached the topics differently–for example one week, our topic was a dialogue of one body part speaking to another…I chose Heart to Eyes..I would like to share this with you..
Heart was still
before sleeping – quiet
after sending out
so much love that day
It was reflective–
Although love had returned to her so many times,
she asked Her eyes–
"Eyes, are you sleeping"?
"My eyelids are closed, but
I am not sleeping", they replied–
What is the most beautiful thing you have seen today?
Was it the mountains? Was it the blue sky?
I felt you were very wide, and made me expand…
What did you see??
The eyes opened lazily–
The most beautiful thing I saw today
Was other eyes–
The laughing green eyes of the shopkeeper selling chocolate
The Baby Blue eyes
of our husband–
The golden Brown eyes of our son–
and the Blue green eyes of our daughter
As they laughed
and looked into our own eyes–
I took in their very spirits–
And you had to expand
to hold all the love I was seeing–
It was flowing in through me
and down to you–
And although sunsets
and sunrises
And mountains
are also beautiful–
The most Beautiful thing
I saw today was the eyes of those you send love to–
Heart sighed happily
and went to sleep
Writing is so much different than writing an e-mail, or speaking..It is your spirit speaking, and you will be happily amazed at what comes out…We who are over 50, have stories to tell, even if it is to ourselves..journaling shows us the spiritual laugh lines..not in our faces..but in our souls…as Elizabeth says, "Write, Write, Write"..it is the best gift you can give yourself….
Thank you, to all the beautiful, vibrant ladies who contribute to this website..You are already writers who have made me laugh, cry and stop to think..I salute the writers in us all!
There are lots of great ideas already listed. Kudos to all the astute women here.
I’ve taken many writing workshops, both face-to-face and online. I’m teaching a couple online right now. Once is offered through a Yahoo Group and is administered by Story Circle Network. The other is offered through group e-mails and is administered through Writer Advice, http://www.writeradvice.com.
These work wherever you live. I’ve had participants from Ireland and the West Indes as well as people living in my hometown. If you’d like information about upcoming workshops, e-mail Lgood67334 AT comcast DOT net. Thanks!
Lynn
http://www.writeradvice.com
Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers
The University of Iowa has weeklong summer writing classes.
Often, in many cities, writing classes are offered in the adult education classes for enrichment classes or as continuing education classes in the local universities or through local public education programs if the University of Iowa is not an option for readers. These classes are usually given in the evenings during the school year.
I liked my writing classes in college and improved on my writing skills. Are these sites for writing classes free online? If not, is anyone aware of any that are? I need a refreshers course.
My sister, Denise George, is a published author of over 24 books and over 1500 magazine articles. She and her writing friend, who has authored 8 books and 3600 magazine articles, hold writing classes that are a one-day, basic training, information-packed, “writing to publish” seminar with no frills and no nonsense! And with a one-day seminar, you don’t have to change your life to attend. Seminar One is “The Nuts & Bolts of Writing-to-Publish Fiction & Non-Fiction Books”. Seminar Two is “The Nuts & Bolts of Writing-to-Publish Magazine Articles”. They travel all over the country to have these seminars. To register or to schedule a seminar at your location, contact Denise at cdwg@aol.com. You can also check out her website and her latest books at authordenisegeorge.com. Thanks and have a great day!
Writing can change your life in wonderful ways! Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, 9:00-4:00, Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL–”The Basics of Book- and Article-Writing” taught by Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin. Boot Camp for Christian Writers–for more information, please email:
Denise George
cdwg@aol.com
This week, on three separate occasions, I was approached by women telling me how much they would like to write, yet didn’t know where and how to start. I agree with you that a creative writing class is the answer, and that is what I told each of them. One woman responded that she wanted to write a memoir about her son who was killed in a car accident at age 26. My answer was that even memoir would fit in a creative writing class because she could learn dialogue, pacing, structure, characterization and–most importantly for a memoir which might meander–how to keep to the storyline.
Another woman who consulted me didn’t know what form she should write–poetry or screenplay. That too, can be helped by a writing class. Often, different material finds its groove in a different format.
But sometimes, you just need to start writing. I had no idea about writing classes, nor gave any thought to what it took when I sat down on Nov. 3rd 1993 at 2:48 PM and started writing my first novel. Only after I had 640 pages of a rough draft did I start attending writing seminars and workshops (mostly at writers’ conferences) and read about 20 “how-to” books about the craft of writing….
Many adult-ed courses offer creative writing courses, as do individual writers/editors in different communities. And if one doesn’t work for you, try another. Teachers vary, and one’s style or content may not fit yours. The point is not to despair.
Just go for it!
Talia Carner
Author, PUPPET CHILD, CHINA DOLL, and JERUSALEM MAIDEN (the latter to be published by HarperCollins in 2011)
http://www.TaliaCarner.com
P.S. Shaw Guide to writers conferences offers a listing of HUNDREDS of such programs across the country. See: http://writing.shawguides.com/
I found the writers conferences most usefull. They have workshops, offer critiques for work in progress, and access to agents. And I won first prize in the mystery catagory for my first mystery in 2000 at two writing conferences, which was a great confidence booster. I have since have had four mysteries published, the last three by Poisoned Pen Press: A Fly Has a Hundred Eyes, The Torch of Tangier, The Gold of Thrace, and The Scorpion’s Bite, which is coming out in August.
Check my web site: http://www.aileengbaron.com