The Class You Should Take . . .?

We often get calls and emails asking which class you should take. That question always confuses me because usually there's no more information than that.

I don't know what you're interested in--fiction or nonfiction.
I don't know if you've been writing for years or if you're just getting started.
In other words, I have no idea who you are, what you know and don't know, what your dreams and goals are. Those answers would certainly determine how I answer your question.

And I have to ask--do you know how much you know or don't know about writing. Do you know what you want?

Most non-writers think writing is easy. They believe all they have to do is sit down at the computer and start pounding keys. They think some kind of Muse is attached to their writing instrument and the words flow until the project is complete. Not so. It doesn't matter if you're writing a novel or a magazine article, there's a lot of thinking and planning involved. The first draft is just that. A draft. You have to rewrite. More than likely, you'll rewrite it again and again.

Writing anything is hard work.

We writers like to think our future is in our own hands but it isn't. So much depends on the editors and agents who sit in their offices and slit open our brown envelopes--or open our emails.

There's a lot to learn about the writing business. I can only tell you to start at the beginning. Educate yourself by reading the trade magazines. When you read articles, pay attention to how they are constructed. When you read novels, make note of what you've learned from that first printed page, and the next page and the next.

I can't tell you what class to take. I can tell you that all writing classes will help you learn. And I have to ask you this: How much do you know? How much do you want to know? What's your dream? Are you easily discouraged?

The big question is: Do you truly love pounding your head against the wall over and over and over again? If so, then you might have what it takes to be a writer. Writing is rewarding, but it's also a lot of frustration and disappointment.

You should start at the beginning: write.
~jess

Transcribing Interviews

The most important thing about transcribing your interview notes is Do It Now! Waiting even a few days after the interview can leave you wondering what your notes, that made perfect sense 48 hours ago, mean.

Another tip is to use abbreviations when you're typing up your notes. For example, type "SN" for "Sanders". Then, when you're finished typing, use the replace function to replace all occurances of "SN" with "Sanders."

Those who enjoy the latest in technogoodies may want to invest in a digital recorder and Dragon Naturally Speaking software. It lets you create letters and e-mails about three times faster than typing by hand. You can aslso dictate letters, e-mails and surf the web by voice. You can use your voice to dictate, edit and control applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Corel WordPerfect.

Carol R. Thomas, Write Magazine Articles That Sell!