December 10, 2010

On Wednesday I suggested thinking ahead to 2011 and setting goals for your writing now . Then you can hit the floor running on January 1.

I’m doing the same thing myself. I do try to practice what I preach!

Always More to Learn

Several of you emailed me to ask what I intended to do in the new year, in case I was doing another online challenge or study program. They are fun to do together! And yes, I’ve signed up for a class myself. (More about that in a minute.)

I never want to stop learning. In addition to reading, one year I did an online course on “Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors.” Another year I designed my own “Self Study Advanced Writing Program.” Right now I am finishing up the “100-Day Challenge” that many of you joined me on. It ends on January 1, 2011.

My First 2011 Goal

Earlier this week I gave you a Christmas list of my favorite writing books for this past year. One was Make a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld. I wish I’d read this years ago! She’s teaching an 8-week online class based on the book which snagged my attention.

You know me, though–I don’t part with money lightly! I wanted to know how the class was set up and what you’d get for the price, so I asked. In part, Jordan’s answer was: “My classes are as interactive as the students are–if they participate in the group discussion (which I facilitate), then it’s lively. Work is critiqued by me, weekly. Lessons are uploaded via yahoo groups, so they can download at their leisure, and I email assignments back. Students can choose to critique each other’s work, but it is not mandatory.”

In my opinion, that’s a lot for the money. The weekly critiques are what caught my eye the most. The $40 off special price is good till December 20, if anyone wants to join me!

Stretch Yourself!

One good thing about taking a class is that you have to write to a deadline. It’s hard to set your own deadlines and make them stick in the early days when you’re not writing for a contract’s deadline. And online classes work for me–I don’t have to go anywhere!

If you’re just starting out, and you need something basic to launch your career, I highly recommend The Institute of Children’s Literature course. That’s where I got my own start many years ago. (And no, I don’t get any money or perks for students who sign up. Not sure how that rumor  started!) 

Whatever you decide to do in 2011, make a pledge to yourself to keep growing as a writer. I’d love to have you leave a comment and tell me what writerly thing you’re planning to do in order to s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself!

8 Comments »

1. 

   I’m currently taking the ICL course ‘Beyond the Basics’ and I must say that my time with ICL has done wonders for my confidence with my writing. I would be self-conscious of letting others read my writing before and for someone who would like a career in the writing industry one day, a boost in confidence is a great asset to have.

   Comment by Chad — December 10, 2010 @ 11:36 am

2. 

   Chad, thank you for sharing your experience with the ICL course. And you’re so right–a boost in self-confidence is a definite asset!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 10, 2010 @ 12:19 pm

3. 

   Kristi,

   I always appreciate the information you share and the books you recommend. I’m considering taking the Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviors class. Since you’ve already taken the class, could you share some thoughts about it. Appreciate it. Enjoy your weekend. Beth

   Comment by Beth — December 10, 2010 @ 2:48 pm

4. 

   Beth, I got a lot out of that class, both in the information I gleaned and the good friend I made when I teamed up with another participant for my accountability partner. Donna McDine and I stayed in contact almost daily for over a year after that class. My self-defeating behaviors turned out to be non-writing related actually, but making necessary changes made a big, big difference. It was well worth the money.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 10, 2010 @ 4:22 pm

5. 

   Hi Kristi,

   Jordan’s class sounds really interesting. I am tempted to join you at it. I can’t tell from the description exactly what is involved, though. Can you use a ms that is started or do you have to start something new? Does it have to be middle grade or YA length/subject or could it be easy chapter books? How much work is expected per week (i.e. if you’re writing a middle grade or YA novel, are you expected to finish it in 8 weeks!)? Don’t know if you can answer any of those questions, but thought I’d check with you before bothering Jordan since you said you had already contacted her…

   Thanks!

   Comment by Susanna — December 11, 2010 @ 5:53 am

6. 

   Susanna, you can use something you’re already working on or something new. No particular age group was mentioned.

   I would go ahead and email her and ask. It would be helpful if her website had more details about the class. If you get some answers, please come back and post them here, okay?

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 13, 2010 @ 5:54 am

7. 

   Hi Kristi,

   Jordan was lovely. Here are her answers to all my questions, in case other people are wondering:
   1. “Your mansucript can be new or existing, and there are even options in the assignments for creating something from scratch
   2. Your manuscript can be any genre of Fiction except perhaps wildly experimental, since what I’m teaching will not conform to that
   3. Every week you will have 1-2 assignments, around 800 words each due…You will NOT be completing a manuscript in the 8 weeks’ time.
   4. You will absolutely learn useful structural lessons that will help overall
   5. I critique assignments on a weekly basis. That’s why I keep my classes small, so I have the capacity to do this. And yes, I’ve heard from tons of students that it helps with stuckness for sure.
   6. I leave the student sharing work as an optional feature, and it is up to the students to take advantage of each other’s presence. Yahoo groups makes it easy to share work though.”

   Now I’m off to sign up – even though I’m kind of terrified, given the way writing has been going lately, that I won’t be able to manage the assignments!

   Comment by Susanna — December 13, 2010 @ 8:00 pm

8. 

   Susanna, I was glad to see you signed up! I’m doing it to force myself up a notch, if at all possible, even though I’m starting a new ministry next month as well. THANK YOU for posting the answers to the questions you asked Jordan. I think others will find them helpful too.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — December 14, 2010 @ 8:38 pm

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