Some thoughts and questions about writing

[Tobin S.]

I basically learned what I know about writing here at DU. I have very little formal training as a writer. Freshman composition was as far as I got in that area in my failed attempt to get a college education. I started writing little stories for the lounge several years ago. After I had written about five of them, people started telling me that they enjoyed them. So, I started saving the stories.

Not long ago, I went back and looked at the first story I had written here and I was pretty embarrassed. It was one paragraph, about 500 words long, with very little punctuation. The grammar and delivery were terrible. I remember working my ass off trying to write that story, too. I know I'm not perfect with my grammar now days, but I think that what I write is at least intelligible. DU has given me a gift and I intend to try to pay it back some day. Has DU affected your writing?

I was also wondering if any of you have ever tried any correspondence writing courses. I'm a trucker and I spend most of my time traveling around the country. I would really like to take some writing courses, but I don't have time to do it at home because I'm rarely there. If you know of some good, legitimate writing courses that I can take online, I would appreciate it if you'd point me in the right direction.

[ceveritt]

1. Writing

Boss, I'm sorry, but I know of no correspondence course in writing to recommend.

However, I do recommend buying a few books on the subject. As a trucker (my bro-in-law was one), I imagine you have some time in the evenings to read.

First off, I'd suggest getting a high-school English/grammar book. I am not trying to be condescending. It merely seems you need a place to start.

Second, I'd suggest "Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. It is widely available. Some disparage the book for being dated, but, again, it is a good place to start.

Third, get Webster's New World Dictionary. It is a standard reference work.

Fourth, get a copy of the AP Style Manual, another standard reference work.

From your description, you need some information in the basics. These will provide you with them, which will make any entrance to a writing course easier for you.

No, I'm not a writing instructor. I just have a degree in journalism, and have written and edited for a living for 30 years. Those are my bona fides.

Please also understand that writing, especially for a living, is a mighty hard dollar. Not many can conjure up a good, coherent, entertaining story/article out of thin air using only their mind.

Long ago, it used to be said writing was easy: You just stare at the page in the typewriter (now at the pixelated page on a computer screen) until blood appears on your forehead. That has not changed.

I wish you every bit of luck in your endeavor. I have tried to suggest things that will help you get a leg up on the process, so to speak. Bon chance, mate.

CE

[Tobin S.]

2. I appreciate the suggestions

As far as writing for a living goes, I don't plan on quitting my day job. :)

[ceveritt]

5. Well, ...

... it is good to have a plan, Boss.

However, you cannot be certain from this vantage point what might happen. You might just become a damn fine and widely published author, depending on the sweat of your brow, so to speak.

Neither one of us knows the other from a jar of Vicks. But some people have what I can only describe as The Gift, whether it be for engineering, trucking, surgery, plumbing, carpentry—or writing. Maybe you're one. You most certainly will not know if you do not try.

I am not suggesting you give up your day job. That would be the height of folly. All I'm saying is that, if you really, really want to write—and you'll know, soon enough—understand it requires constant work plus a fervent desire to improve, and it is never, ever easy. Anyone who tells you it is, is telling you a monstrous lie. (I also must add that anyone who suggests a trucker write 1000 words a day does understand your profession even slightly.)

However, it is immensely satisfying to have a piece published—especially your first—and know that, somewhere, you have entertained (and possibly educated) another person or persons. That alone is worth gold, metaphorically speaking, of course.

I reckon my only point is to offer you some encouragement, plus an understanding of the task ahead of you as an aspiring writer. I wish you only the best of luck, mate.

[ceveritt]

6. my mistake

That sentence in parens was supposed to read, (I also must add that anyone who suggests a trucker write 1000 words a day DOESN'T understand your profession even slightly.)

Which, of course, points out the importance of proofreading.

Sorry for that. I should know better.

CE

[Jim__]

3. "Building Great Sentences"

It's not a correspondence course, it's a taped series of lectures. This class is 12 hours on writing sentences. I thought it was great. The CD should be good enough. This is from "The Teaching Company": Building Great Sentences. (Don't pay more than $50 for the CD - they always have these high list prices, but $50 is their real price for the CD.)

[Ozymanithrax]

4. I am working now on my Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing...

If you want to write, you must write.

Set up a schedule. Write, 1000 words (or any realisitc target number) a day on a short story, a novel or some other piece. Once you finish it, set it back for two weeks, then print it out and edit it.

Join Critique Circle (http://www.critiquecircle.com/)(It is free), and post your story for criticism. People will help you make it better.

There are lots of correspondence courses, but each boils down to writing on a schedule, finishing what you write, and getting other people to help you make it better.

The other bit of critical advice is to read every day.

[sybylla]

7. online courses and workshops in writing

Check out the University of Wisconsin-Extension "Continuing & Online Education" courses at their website - http://www.uwex.edu

I've attended their Writer's Conference in the spring where I've heard from many who have taken their courses - with varied success depending on what they took and how well it fit into their goals. They also offer several workshops during the course of the year in fiction (genre and literary), non-fiction and poetry. I've attended their last two spring Writer's conferences and learned a great deal from the main speakers as well as the break-out workshops. If you attend, you can also sign up to pitch your projects to agents/editors who come for that specific purpose.

Also, if you check out magazines like The Writer and Poet and others, they always have loads of ads for online classes and workshops through various colleges and organizations.

If you enjoy writing in a particular genre, try finding an association for writers of that genre. For example, Romance Writers of America offers its members online workshops and classes aimed specifically at writers in that genre. I know of state and regional writing orgs that do the same.