[stylist] Writing workshops

Mon Sep 19 20:08:42 UTC 2011

Brenda,

Online classes are helpful and beneficial, and many of our members can
attest to this. The really great aspect of online courses is that you
can enroll in classes at top institutions, or take from great
authors/instructors, that aren't available locally.

Have you ever considered taking writing classes at an academic
institution or community learning center in your local area? If you live
in a town or city, there usually are places like this where you can
receive the instruction you're seeking.

We can certainly learn and grow from online classes or reading books and
other material, but there's nothing like being physically present in a
classroom. Written communication is a great modern resource, and with
the advent of the internet and social network sites, we have a plethora
of ways in which we can connect and find information. Human interaction
is still an important element to life, though, especially when it comes
to learning.

I attended a four year academic institution and graduated with a BFA in
creative writing. Sitting in an actual workshop, giving and receiving
live feedback and learning from peers and instructors who I could
converse with and ask questions in person, was like no other experience.
Before attending university, I'd studied writing by reading books- both
literature and writing guides- and connecting with other writers, but
for me, I learned the most once I entered the workshop environment in
person.

Now, before I get comments in rebuttal (giggle) I understand it's not
necessary for everyone to learn in this type of setting. I'm simply
offering another option for consideration, and extending my personal
experience. What's good for me, may not be for others.

A formal academic setting isn't always necessary either, and of course,
there is the cost to consider. Writing classes and workshops exist,
however, in many, many settings. I urge you to consider these options as
well.

And I'll say this: You say that discipline is one of your biggest
problems when it comes to writing. Online classes of any subject require
a lot of discipline. I've taken online courses, and you have to be
focused, engaged and on the ball about assignments and any interaction
required for the class or that may be beneficial. Whether academic or
not, this type of dedication is necessary. If you're seeking structure
and worried about your discipline, considering an in-person class may be
an option you want to seriously ponder.

Online classes are not necessarily cheaper either. Look into writing
classes/workshops at local community colleges, learning centers,
community groups/activities, etc. There may even be a local writers
group that meets monthly you can participate with.

Take this for what it's worth. I can only offer my personal experience
and opinion, and I'd be willing to discuss this more off-list if you, or
anyone, is interested and wants more info. In terms of accessibility,
while we're still waiting for the online resources to become 100%
accessible, we find more and more websites to be so, and many of us
engage in online activities with little to no issues with accessibility.
Attending a class/workshop in person, though, can often cut down on
accessibility concerns.

Again, take this for what it's worth, but I'm, for all intense and
purposes, totally blind (I only mention this to underline the fact I
require alternative means for everything in terms of reading/writing and
other school-related aspects) and I required very few accommodations to
accomplish what my peers did. I didn't find the in-person environment
less inaccessible nor did I find it difficult to learn. I graduated at
the top with few accommodations from my disability services office on
campus, my state rehab agency for the blind or myself. I say all this
merely to explain that, for me, I didn't find an in-person learning
environment challenging in terms of accessibility, and I was able to
"keep-up" with the rest of the class. It was an amazing experience that
I recommend.

Again, a four year institution may not be the route for everyone
especially if you're just looking to just take a class/workshop here and
there, but there are plenty of other ways to experience an in-person
setting that provides feedback and instruction through actual human
interaction. Online communities are great and bring people together from
all over, but I think many of us would agree that if we could meet
in-person, the experience would be even better.

So, this is just another option to consider. Community colleges offer
writing class and many have noncredit classes meant for people not
pursuing a formal education. Many community centers will have similar
workshops the public can participate in, and most communities have
writing groups open to the public and meet monthly. Checking your local
newspaper, or online, is a great way to find out about things like this.

Regardless of what route you take, the members of Stylist are here to
support and offer any advice we can. You can certainly pose questions
right here on Stylist and receive responses from multiple people. Or
post a sample of writing for constructive criticism and feedback. Good
luck and keep us posted on your writing endeavors.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 13
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:28:31 -0400
From: Brenda <bjnite at windstream.net>
To: "Homme, James" <james.homme at highmark.com>, stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [stylist] Using online workshop websites
Message-ID: <4E776DAF.5010901 at windstream.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Jim and List

I think the concepts for Jaws and Window eyes are similar .  Perhaps you

could help me figure out how to navigate the sites Atty gave me by 
trying them and seeing what you can do with Jaws.  If you can find 
things with Jaws, I probably can figure out how to do it with Window 
eyes.   I can read plenty on the net and want to read the book "on 
Writing" by Stephen King, but I need the interaction and structure of a 
class to help as well. I am especially concerned about the platform for 
the writing workshops.  The websites Atty gave me do not let you see a 
sample and there is no human phone contact which concerns me.  but if 
Atty did it I probably can too once I learn more about the sites. The
sites I'm trying to navigate are:

http://www.ed2go.com
http://www.savvyauthors.com
Remember, they don't give a sample of the workshop format as far as I
can tell.

robert sent me the info about joining the NFB writers group.  My first 
step in that direction is joining this list.  I will consider doing more

as time goes on.

I do thank folks on this list for their time and willingness to help me.
Brenda