Writing Courses

I've been leary of writing courses and workshops for a long time. Sure, as writers we need to better our craft and understand how the business works so we aren't taken for a ride. But most classes/workshops don't really push me forward. No offense to those who take the time to make these classes/workshops work. I think it takes a lot of guts and talent to even think of one of these. And I'm sure there are people who grow through the use of them.

For me, it's a way to procrastinate and keep myself from actually writing. The thing that has really worked for me is my writing coach -- who I don't see anymore due to, well, financial decisions we had to make as a family. But Judy, you were seriously the best thing to happen to my writing!

Now I've found something that I think will give me the push I need and practical information I can learn from in my learning style. Holly Lisle has been writing for about 15 years and making a living from her writing and writing related endeavors for that same amount of time. She has recently started a course called How to Think Sideways. The inaugural class is underway and sold out. But I encourage you to take a look at what she's offering and if you're interested in this course, get on her mailing list.

The first lessons, which I will not be sharing due to copyright and my wanting to support Holly in this way, are dealing with why you don't write and moving past excuses. This was really helpful to me. I make excuses all the time. Most of these aren't grounded in reality. Facing my excuses using Holly's exercises has helped me to reframe these excuses and give me a mantra to move forward. In essence, I'm removing the power of the excuse. And that's powerful stuff!

That's just week one. Week two is more about finding your writing sweet spot. I have no idea what this means because I haven't started reading the lessons for this week. But I'm intrigued. And know I will find something useful that I can apply right now to one of the three works I've started. Yes, three. I have three going right now and one whispering to me. This, too, can be procrastination. I need to focus on one and get it done. At least that's what I tell myself, lol!