Online writing courses

Elwyn · Oct 9, 2005

Is there anyone here that can recommend an online writing course - or warn of those to stay away from?

moblues · Oct 10, 2005

Barnes and Noble has free courses. I don't know how helpful they are, but it doesn't hurt to look.

Follow this link: http:/www.bn.com/university

I buy DVD's and books from them from time to time, so it wasn't unsolicited. Good luck with your MS.

Mike

Elwyn · Oct 10, 2005

Thanks moblues -

I did find out one thing - the courses are free, but you have to buy course materials from them. Very good business model, I'd say.

sassandgroove · Oct 10, 2005

There is a Thread here by Jim McDonald, and Absolute write offers courses. I like Jim's thread, and it's free, but it requires work and dedication. BUt what worthwhile effort doesn't?

Danger Jane · Oct 10, 2005

I like the articles on www.hollylisle.com, myself.

This summer I'm planning on attending the Iowa Young Writers' Studio camp thing...if I get in...it's supposed to be really amazing, but HAH you have to be like in high school.

Sorry, sometimes I can't help but gloat about things.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 10, 2005

Courses

I really like the Writer's Digest online workshops. http://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/

azbikergirl · Oct 10, 2005

I had a great experience with my Advanced Novel Writing course through the Writer's Digest online workshops, but I recently met someone who got a lot of bad advice from her WDS instructor (You MUST write in 3rd person limited viewpoint, you MUST describe each character including hair and eye color and what they're wearing, you MUST type with all four fingers in their proper keyboard positions, etc.).

Button · Oct 10, 2005

I just signed up for some classes at http://www.writersvillage.com/

It seems interesting enough. I look forward to getting started.

And I second Uncle Jim's posts on this website and Holly's website. Both are excellent resources.

In all, it comes down to actually writing.

The only motivation you have is within yourself.

MarkButler · Oct 10, 2005

I'm most of the way through "5172 - how to write your first novel in 7 steps" from universalclass.com, its been really good and has opened my eyes a lot on how difficult it is to generate something worthwhile.

I have no idea how it relates to others though.
Mark

Yeshanu · Oct 10, 2005

Since people have already mentioned Uncle Jim and Holly Lisle's free instruction (great bargains, both of them!) I'll just add http://www.absoluteclasses.com/

Absolute Write University is part of Jenna's empire, and though I haven't tried the courses, I'd recommend anything Jenna's vetted to anyone...

Jamesaritchie · Oct 10, 2005

WD

azbikergirl said:
I had a great experience with my Advanced Novel Writing course through the Writer's Digest online workshops, but I recently met someone who got a lot of bad advice from her WDS instructor (You MUST write in 3rd person limited viewpoint, you MUST describe each character including hair and eye color and what they're wearing, you MUST type with all four fingers in their proper keyboard positions, etc.).

How on earth did the instructor know which fingers the student was using?

There are bad instructors everywhere, and this one sounds like a real dud. Though I would say new writers SHOULD write in third person limited until they get the hang of writing well enough to sell.

maestrowork · Oct 10, 2005

If you have the money, I recommend the UCLA Writer's program. They have different levels (from beginning to advance), novel, script or short story writing.

azbikergirl · Oct 10, 2005

Jamesaritchie said:
How on earth did the instructor know which fingers the student was using?

That part was probably a joke.

Jamesaritchie said:
There are bad instructors everywhere, and this one sounds like a real dud. Though I would say new writers SHOULD write in third person limited until they get the hang of writing well enough to sell.

I agree, but writing in first person isn't wrong. This instructor was so rigid that she insisted any viewpoint other than 3rd person limited was wrong.

Danger Jane · Oct 10, 2005

It can be tough to write in first person and make the character think uniquely from yourself. For that reason I can see suggesting third person, but I wouldn't forbid it. There's no way to develop skill at anything until you start practicing.

Jamesaritchie · Oct 11, 2005

Instructor

azbikergirl said:
That part was probably a joke.

I agree, but writing in first person isn't wrong. This instructor was so rigid that she insisted any viewpoint other than 3rd person limited was wrong.

I've known some pretty good, and famous, writers who believed writing in first person is always wrong. Nonsense, of course, and it usually just means that one person either has a personal dislike for first person, or can't write it well.

I do think a bit of rigidity is a good thing when dealing with brand new writers. . .make them learn the fundamentals before they try all the variations, but, yes, having an instroctor who says these things are wrong is reason to cut and run.

Fortunately, most of the WD instructors are not at all like this.

Online writing courses

Elwyn

moblues

Elwyn

sassandgroove

Sassy haircut

Danger Jane

Jamesaritchie

azbikergirl

I really do look like this.

Button

Resident in Question

MarkButler

Part Time Fool

Yeshanu

Elf Queen

Jamesaritchie

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

azbikergirl

I really do look like this.

Danger Jane

Jamesaritchie