Online Classes: Magazine writing

[boohiss13]

Hi all, I'm new!

I've been looking around for a reference to this and am yet to find it, though I'm sure I"m repeating, so excuse me!

I'm looking for DECENT online writing courses dealing with article writing & querying. I'd like to start with free classes, if there are any worth taking, as my budget is squeaky tight. I do realize the best will be ones you pay for, but was hoping someone who's taken one could steer me?

Thanks for you help,

Boohiss

[Autodidact]

Not a book fan? There are so many good ones.

[stldenise]

If you want something free to get you started, I would say go straight to your library and find a copy of Renegade Writer (http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Writer-Totally-Unconventional-Freelance/dp/1933338008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260378351&sr=8-1). Great book, very inspiring and a fun read. They give good directions to get you started -- I promise that you'll be excited to send out some queries after reading this. The companion book is Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock (http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Writers-Query-Letters-That/dp/1933338091/ref=pd_sim_b_1).

The only school I know of online with free stuff would be Poynter Institute (http://www.poynter.org/). It's a real journalism school with a cool website and lots of resources for journalists. If you poke around you're sure to find some interesting reading. They have a News University with free lessons (look under training). You might find something helpful there...I don't see anything about queries, but there's good stuff on reporting and writing that would apply. Look here for a list of free courses. (http://www.newsu.org/courses/course_list.aspx)

[boohiss13]

I've read "The Renegade Writer", and I agree, it's excellent. I just feel I need to have some structure; I've never had formal writing training and I think it will give me some confidence.

Thanks for the suggestions and i'll look into them!

Boo

[Medievalist]

I've read "The Renegade Writer", and I agree, it's excellent. I just feel I need to have some structure; I've never had formal writing training and I think it will give me some confidence.

I wouldn't worry about the lack of "formal" writing training.

The thing to do is write, revise, write and etc.

Do spend time on AW in Share Your Work, lurk for a while first.

Check your local community college for online classes as well. Many are very very affordable, but honestly, I think the most important thing of all is writing and revising and reading.

Read all sorts of things, too. Read widely.

[JudyA]

Do you want to learn how to write or how to manage/maneuver your freelancing career?

You might find something helpful at Breakthrough Freelancing (http://www.breakthroughfreelancing.com/).

[WildScribe]

I've never heard of any free classes on freelancing that are worth much. Isn't that sort of like asking writers to work for free? If it is of value, you will have to pay. I suggest getting started on your own; then you will know if/what you need to work on by the time you start looking into paying for classes.

[Cate]

I would have to say that I think a book would be more useful. It's hard to know if the person you are taking the class from knows what they are doing. Just my opinion.