I’ve mentioned before that I take an online writing course. I’m in the second week of the current class, and the teacher, Caleb Warnock, has changed the assignments a bit for this class. Instead of writing a scene portraying something, he’s been having us write plot outlines.
When it was only scenes, I didn’t really have a problem posting the results of the assignment here, but I’ve decided I don’t want to publish plot outlines. I’ll still be doing occasional scenes, though.
But now’s as good a time as any to talk about Caleb’s classes. I first took a class from him almost two years ago. It was an in-person class. Since then, I’ve been taking his online class (with a few breaks here and there.)
At only $45 for an eight-week course, it’s relatively cheap as far as writing classes go. Each week, there will be a short lesson or two to read, a short craft writing assignment, and you are expected to post a piece of your work (part of a short story or novel) to be critiqued by Caleb and the other students. You are also expected to critique at least three other students’ work. (However, since the class is not for grade or credit, if circumstances keep you from completing everything, it’s no big deal.)
There are several reasons why I have kept taking this class for so long.
1. It help keep me writing. I’m lazy. Having a class where I’m expected to produce something helps motivate me.
2. Caleb’s comments on my manuscripts are generally very helpful.
3. The assignments are usually challenging enough that they inspire my creativity. One of the assignments turned into my short story “In Memory,” which will be published in the Writers of the Future anthology this fall.
4. The lessons help me better understand various aspects of writing and the writing business.
5. Getting to see what the other advanced students in the class are writing (generally not in my genre) gives me a broader perspective.
(Anyway, if you’re interested in finding out more about Caleb’s classes, go here. I’m not being paid to say this. He doesn’t even give me a discount on my tuition when I refer a student!)