Writing for Love and Money

[Kate St Amour]

Has anyone ever taken the Writing For Love and Money course by American Writers & Artists Institute? I am wondering how good it is and I am curious about their pay- in- full option. Look what it says on their website under the Full Pay Discount Plan:

Full-Pay Discount Plan:* I would like to take advantage of the full pay discount, and receive a $41 discount off the total cost – more than the price of an entire installment!

Please bill my credit card $249 today.* I understand that I will be rushed the initial installment and start-up materials immediately, followed by the remaining 9 installments each month, for 9 months.

I just emailed them to find out what exactly they are charging you for (for nine months) when you pay in full.

Their website is:
/www.awaionline.net/_orde...ect=Order: aw42&referredby=WROMF_42

Unfortunately, I can't make it to RWA meetings anymore and am wondering if this is a useful alternative.
Thank you for your feedback.

~Kate

[novelator]

I've never taken their course, so I don't know its worth. I've never heard of anyone taking it, don't know anyone who's done so, but I'm sure their former students are out there.

Here are two cheaper alternatives, if you're interested.

One is to check out Writer's Village University (link is on my website under Writing Links, I believe). For $59.00 a year (plus twenty, one time set-up), you can take all the courses you want, but the real benefit will be in the writers groups you can join to get feedback on your work, etc.

The other alternative, the best alternative in my humble opinion, one endorsed by almost all the top writers in the world, past or present, is to read and write, write and read every day. When I returned to writing, I went the Writers Village University route, not the classes, just the groups, until my year expired. During that time, I happened to read Stephen King's On Writing, which helped immensely. Study and practice every day. Ten words a day for a goal, if that's what it takes to get you started, but if you do this religiously, you won't believe the results.

But, I qualify all of the above by saying you have to do what works for you. You have to, even if everyone else disagrees. Right or wrong, you'll learn from the experience.

Mari

[Kate St Amour]

Thank you for your feedback!

~Kate

[sc211]

Is there a particular genre or form that you want to learn to write? Novels, poetry, screenplays? Romance, mysteries, childrens?

[maestrowork]

I think it's clear that Kate wants to write Romance...

[Gala]

Genre wasn't clear to me either. "For Love or Money" is a cliche that applies to many things. And many writers attend RWA to learn about writing romance scenes, to network, and hang out with working writers.

As for the class: you're smart to ask around. I'm personally leery of online classes, especially if they have a "get rich quick" mentality (don't know if this one does).

Maybe you could look around the main absolutewrite.com board. They advertise classes; perhaps this one is mentioned.

Good for you for wanting to network and hang out with writers even though you're busy. I hope you get more info from folks with direct experience with the class.

One idea I have is to search google groups. Maybe someone is talking about it. I won't be surprised if you get more info here as well.

Have fun.

[sc211]

Her link didn't work, but this one did

www.awaionline.com/ (http://www.awaionline.com/)

It's a classy-looking site, featuring mostly copywriting and travel writing.