A year ago, I received a rejection on my full in which the agent suggested I hone my writing skills some more (okay, more like a lot more). Within 24 hours, I had signed up for two writing courses (one focused specifically on YA) from a reputable online organization.
The advantage was that the instructor in each (along with my fellow students) would provide feedback on the assignments. While I did learn a few things I didn’t know, most of what I learned wasn’t new to me. Actually, I learned a helluva more by reading blogs—for free.
So what about the feedback? Wasn’t that worth it?
Let’s just say I’ve had way better crits from beta readers than I got from my instructors and classmates. Again, for free. After receiving feedback on my first chapter during the class, I sent it in for the critique at the LA SCBWI conference last year. Shortly afterwards, several beta readers read it and gave me much better feedback (especially on how I could tighten my writing). Even Ellen Hopkins had a lot to say about it. Things the instructor should have pointed out. #epicwritingcoursefail
Recently I took an online workshop for writing love scenes. Too bad I’d already read Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Erotic Romance. The class would have be great if we could have had feedback on our work (or at least on some students' work), but that didn’t happened.
Fortunately not all workshops I’ve attended have been a complete flop. A lot of the workshops at the LA SCBWI conferences have been awesome, and I’ve heard great things about the workshops/conferences held through my local RWA chapter (which I’ll be going to this year). And WriteOnCon (the free online conference) is awesome. If you haven’t already, check it out from last year. The organizers will be announcing the 2011 conference dates soon.
If you’re looking at taking an online writing course, here are some things to consider:
- Who’s teaching the course? Have you read any of the author’s books? Some instructors (like in my ‘writing love scenes’ class) spend more time patting themselves on the back than teaching you anything. Warning: This happens at conferences, too.
- Will there be an opportunity for feedback?
- How many people are in the class?
- Is the class for beginners? (This might affect the level of feedback you get or the level of information you’ll receive.)
- What kind of time commitment is expected from you?
- Is the class being held by a reputable organization? (Not that it helped me.)
For those of you who want to take your writing to the next level, my suggestion is to read as much as you can. This includes blog posts (hence why I do Cool Links Friday) and non-fiction books on writing fiction. Adventures in Children’s Publishing compiles an extensive list each week on blog posts pertaining to writing and publishing. It’s a must read, no matter what genre you write.
For feedback, check out forums such as Absolute Write, the Query Tracker Forum, and Verla Kay’s blue boards (for kidlit and YA writers). They are all free.
Has anyone else had good/bad experience with writing courses? Any other recommendations to help a writer hone his skill?
50 comments:
Evil Editor and Query Shark are also great sites.
You're so right. I feel like I've learned more since I entered the blogosphere than I ever did in college!
I haven't taking a writing course, but have considered it. I have learned a lot from blogging, and have met many people (experienced folks)that have helped me so much. All for free.
I've learned so much more through other blogs and reading on my own than I ever did in any of my college writing courses. There are so many great books out there and I am better at going at my own pace. And like you said...all for free!
This is such an awesome post. I honed my skills with the help of online resources mostly. I went to one conference and attended an excellent workshop on plotting that I'll never forget, but apart from that--it's amazing how many awesome, free resources are available on the web. You've pointed out all the ones I use!
I've never once paid for a writing course, but I'm sure there have to be some good ones out there. I do prefer free though.
I took a creative writing course shortly after college and I've learned a great deal more online than I did in that class. Not to say that there weren't some good things I learned as a newbie there, but now I can look back and realize the teacher of the course was a bitter non-published type. Which means certain aspects were colored by her experiences, I think.
wonderful tips, stina! thank you for them! :)
I've never taken a course nor do I want to. I've learned so much from writing just reading blogs and agents. Those sites are invaluable. And free is always good. Thanks Stina.
I haven 't taken a writing class since college and I imagine everything I've leared for free through the blogosphere in the last year is probably equal to or more valuable than most courses, as you said. I'm too far away to go to any conferences although I did love writeoncon and found it a great way to get feedback as well. These are all really really great resources stina! Thanks for putting them all together into such an awesome post!;)
Having a solid critique group was one of the most important things that has helped me hone my skill. I've learned quite a bit in the blog world, or just via the net but my crit group has really helped me tone up. If there are too many hands in my work then I get all fuzzy on the rules or the opinions so for me, it was best to just have the same people, who got me and stayed with the characters, until I started to develop week to week :)
I will check out the links, though. Like I said, I've learned a lot here as well ;)
I agree that blogging has some tremendous resources. And nothing can take the place of a lot of reading, either. Great post.
I've never taken a workshop class (outside of school), but I've never felt the need. Like you said, with all these online resources and betas, I get all the help I want!
I've heard that depending too much on writing "courses" can help a writer lose her own style, her own voice. I like the idea of lots of reading, and tons of writing, practice, practice, practice. We learn from it all, feedback, rejections, submissions, one step at a time.
You're so very right here, Stina. I took a course taught by an agent whose blog I adore. I have to admit, the course was so boring - and so very "elementary" in nature, I actually fell asleep.
I was really disappointed in the content of the class, although I did get an excellent critique of my first 250 words out of it. (But, really, 250 words isn't much out of an entire MS.)
The LA SCWBI convention was really informative, but those have been the only really useful classes I've attended.
I agree that finding really relevant blogs can be as good - and oftentimes better - than paying for workshops.
Oops, stupid posting errors. LOL.
I took a creative writing course, but I feel that I've learned more via blogging and my CPs/betas since. Also, reading lots of YA or craft books helps me too ;)
Yep, that romance one was a bust. I recently took part in a Foodie for Romance course that I won - the instructor was amazing. She crit everything you sent in and helped you to progress.
You made some great points to watch for. I know I'll be leary next time I think about paying for a course.
I agree with you Stina. I've taken writing courses and found them okay, but the most benefit to my writing has been with beta readers and a paid editor. I learned more from those critiques than any course could have possibly taught me.
I wish I had more time to read blogs. The day job definitely interferes with that. I've resolved to work harder at blogging and reading blogs, because you are right - the info is out there, and it is all FOR FREE.
i attended the WIFYR conference june 2009 and that was a pretty good experience - the instructors were fantastic!
but i learned the most by reading more books and writing more stories. and critiquing for others. nothing like putting your knowledge to work!
I took writing courses in college, and it was a valuable experience. I was lucky to have wonderful creative writing professors who offered extensive feedback even on writings that weren't for class.
I don't know how I'd feel taking a writing course now, though. I think they're good for when you're just starting to become serious about writing, like I was in college. But now that I've read and written so much since then, I don't think it'd be beneficial to me. Plus, as you said, I'm learning SO MUCH from my fellow blog buddies, who are in various stages of the writing journey, that I probably wouldn't in a class.
yes! I learned so much from my writing group and my own reading. Self study and practice is all you really need. Read and write...a lot! Great post!
I'm majoring in creative writing in university right now and I'm considering quitting. I've learned WAY more from the blogosphere, non-fiction books, and forums like Absolute Write than I've learned in 3 terms of uni. Even just reading other YA books is a complete education in itself, and way more valuable to me than spending hours in a room listening to some pretentious twat lecture about poetry...
I agree with you about the beta readers. I did a writer in residence program at our local library and while I learned a lot, my CPs did a much better job at critiquing.
And there's so much information out there that I really don't think you need to take a formal class.
This post is so true, Stina!! I think it's an important thing to get out there, so others know how valuable our access to each other and other free resources are.
Such an important post that I hope all newbie writers get to read. The online resources are invaluable. Also I've read just about every writing guide out there, which I highly recommend. Nothing beats the help of trusted beta readers. I've had a lot of success using Writers Digest Community forums for finding awesome beta readers. It's free. ANd you can join Weekly Chapter Challenge as well as Beta Readers to post want ads for partners.
You make a fantastic point. I love workshops but most of what I learn is through other types of interactions and reading. I've found that the best thing I get out of workshops is connections and friends. But they're worth it for that alone!
I haven't taken any writing courses...on the other hand, I've learned a LOT from crit partners and forums. Nice post!
I haven't taken online writing courses, but with conferences, it seems that they are mostly geared toward beginners. So after a couple, you don't gain much from the classes anymore. My theory is that we should get great crit groups, and read writing books and blogs to grow. And then we should go to conferences and send our stuff to contests and for paid crits to get our work in front of agents and editors.
Of course, I've been at this for a decade or so and I still haven't published a book, so my theories may be completely idiotic.
Great post, Stina. Classes are so tempting when we're still trying to find an agent, but you do have to know what you're getting into to know if it will actually help you. Good feedback from people who you relate to is so important. Workshops are great if they really do zero in on each writer's work with that kind of feedback, but it's a gamble for sure. Luck plays a part. We Critique Sisters did find each other at a workshop. That was lucky! Now we're a critique group that works well together. So I guess the other side of the coin is, it's worth the effort to find your peeps.
I've never taken any writing courses (maybe it shows). Everything I've learned has been through a couple books, and mostly reading blogs. I learn better on my own and by interacting one-on-one.
Aw, sad that you paid for classes and got more helpful pointers from free sources! Good lesson, and I think you have a definite point.
And wow, I was reading along and was shocked to find my own name on there. LOL Thanks so much for the shout-out! I need more victims--I mean writers--for my first page posts.
What a timely post for me! I've been thinking about taking a course, but I just bought a writing book instead. Until I find a course that I think fits exactly what I want/need, I'll stick with self-study via books and blogs!
My experience with writing classes has been similar unfortunately. I've gleaned some worth from each experience, but for making me a stronger writer? That's come from books I've read on my own, beta reading and tips I've found on the web. And that should actually be good news for writers everywhere!
SPOT ON, girlfriend--totally agree!
I agree with you that there are some amazing *free* resources available online. I took two creative writing classes before getting an MFA and I liked them both. I think it was because the teachers were both good.
Nowadays I'd rather save my money and learn through writing books and blogs. I have a good critique partner and will make use of beta readers as well when I'm ready for comments on my WIP. I'll have to check out your links. Thanks for sharing them!
I've gone to conferences, read a lot of blogs, and joined a couple of critique groups. They've been a great help. I also appreciate the forums, though I've never been to Verla Kays. On my list of things to do. :)
Very interesting post!
Thanks for the suggestions and the links. I can't wait for WriteOnCon!
I definitely open to conferences, but I am so glad to read this post! It helps greatly to know that blogs and writing group critiques can be as valuable (or more) as paid workshops. The Publisher's Weekly emails gave me a great starting point to some blogs, and I've been finding new blogs almost every week. I'm also glad to know good old reading is such a great help to writing. Not a difficult thing to do to read a great book!
I have often wondered, rather than a writing course, if it would be a better investment to hire a professional fiction editor? THis post kind of confirms that for me - sounds like an editor would be a better (if more expensive) investment! The last writing conference I went to, the workshops were still valuable, but less so than in previous years and i wonder if that's because they are geared more toward beginners? I agree with you, I've learned more from blogs and from critique partners for FREE than from any other source!
I'm sorry your experience wasn't so great! I always recommend SCBWI too. I really credit them with whatever success I've had so far at this whole thing. I learned so much just from taking advantage of their resources, which in turn led me to other resources and people. I also agree that blogs are a great resource. You can find info on almost anything online, and I always check out both yours and Martina/Marissa's Friday posts. I think just being open to learning and growing opens many doors.
I've attended so many workshops and conferences over my lifetime and, while I can't say I didn't learn quite a few things, there are many, MANY ways to learn as writers. I think I learned more than anything by being on a listserv of fellow romance writers in the 90s. That was my training ground...although the conferences and workshops were part of it too.
Awe! Thank you for what you said in my comment. I'm so glad we provided a good crit for you and that we helped in some way :) That makes me feel awesome, and brings the joy of Zellie back in the world :D
I haven't taken any courses. Like you, I get incredibly valuable feedback from my CP's and betas. And a few books along the way.
:)
Thanks for the post Stina. I've gone to 3 SCBWI conferences, 1 highlight's foundation summer workshop and one webinar. I learned something at all of them. I've been thinking about taking a course, but your post is really making me rethink it.
What do you think about low residency MFA's? Also what do you think about hiring a well known editor to do an line by line edit/critique?
THIS so hard. I had one professor in college who was AMAAAZING and she told me the cold hard truth about what I could do to improve. But aside from her, I learned more about writing through fandom and my fellow readers than I ever did in my college courses. And that's part of why I love the writing community so much!
Brilliant advice! I've not taking any writing courses (well, not that aren't tied to my college work at any rate) but I have been to a day conference that was a bit of a flop. I guess it just depends on what you need and where you're at in your writing life.
Thanks for doing the Friday links, by the way. I found a TON of stuff last week!! Very helpful :)
Have a great weekend!
Jen
I did take one on-line course that had very good feed-back. But it was taught by a romance novelist and I write short fiction for Canadian lit magazines currently. So, like you said, researching the writer who is teaching is very important!
great, great points Stina! I've had incredible success finding critters and getting feedback just by blogging. And you're right it's "free," but I try to return the favor. This is a great community we have here! At the same time, critically reading is also invaluable.
And thanks for the heads up on that Verla site. I wasn't aware of that. All the best in your writerly growth! :o) <3
I've learned so much from the online community. You have some links here I haven't seen before, so thank you!
It's so hard to find good advice, whether through, blogs, books, or classes. You have to wade through a lot of things you've already heard, or that don't apply, or that you disagree with. What's even worse, sometimes the learning process can make you question the things you're already doing right, so then you start mucking them up.
I'm not really sure what works for me. Every once in awhile someone will present a new idea to me in just the right way, and I can learn from it. But it seems like most of the learning is redundant and full of stress. Maybe one day I'll get it figured out.
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