tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post5523332359623487647..comments2024-03-14T12:28:32.425-06:00Comments on Doves Today: Writing, writers groups, writing classesGlennishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03681336164718681936noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post-23956670326824966062013-09-01T15:26:08.220-06:002013-09-01T15:26:08.220-06:00Oh ho, I bet I know who the columnist in your area...Oh ho, I bet I know who the columnist in your area was!!<br /><br />Anyway, took an expository writing class in another century (& millenium) but have no memory of anything I may have learned beyond that the prof. was kind of a jerk.<br /><br />My approach is generally to spew, & then trim, reposition & polish. Repeat. And again.<br /><br />I couldn't possibly have been a serious typist (or even what I am today) before word processing.M. Bouffanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04519088858760760560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post-53992432173831262312013-08-31T00:38:18.172-06:002013-08-31T00:38:18.172-06:00Have you read Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird...Have you read Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird? <br /><br />I have taken a wonderful day-long course put on by a friend back in Virginia. She is part of a group of women who travel to Africa and help women there capture their stories. Karen (formerly kcinnova)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16705613736966783261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post-69886191372428518532013-08-27T07:59:39.597-06:002013-08-27T07:59:39.597-06:00As a young mother I joined a writing group where w...As a young mother I joined a writing group where we met in the leader's home. It was a bit unconventional, but I gained so much insight from the leader and the other women in the group. It was the first such class I had ever taken, and the leader was very qualified and only wanted to improve our writing and make a little money at the same time. I stayed in that group for two years. <br />After that experience, I took other classes at the local university and some summer workshops. I learned and improved the most when the "teacher" was not an ego driven person. I wasted my money many times in classes/workshops given by writers who were more interested in showing us what "great" writers they were. I even took a workshop on how to get published for the first time where at the first meeting the leader told us that is was impossible to get published (which I knew already) and that if we wanted to make a decent living we should give up writing and go work in a factory. The Cnext few meetings weren't much better. What a waste!<br /> I only write for myself anymore. My family will throw all my journals away someday, but I really don't care. It gives me pleasure and that's all that matters now.<br />Anyway, I think doing the work is the only way to improve. You are a good writer already. I also think you should keep seeking a group or a teacher who gets you and can guide you, if that's what you want. Reading good writing helps, too. You pick things up. Good luck!<br /><br />ALBUGAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post-60421851215280113972013-08-26T08:29:17.432-06:002013-08-26T08:29:17.432-06:00I'm very wary of them but am considering takin...I'm very wary of them but am considering taking one run by a friend. I think that creativity courses, the online ones like Mondo Beyondo, are going to be more my speed. They'll incorporate writing, I'm sure.Kizzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01957878512519527975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7486020167848564517.post-7229829911959652232013-08-26T06:54:51.426-06:002013-08-26T06:54:51.426-06:00Years ago, I went to a free writers' workshop ...Years ago, I went to a free writers' workshop that had an "open mic" night. I was like a joker slipped into a deck in a hand in which hearts were trump. I'd read my satirical stuff and irreverent poesy, while almost everyone else would rip their ribcages open and show their hearts.<br /><br />Now, I think the key to writing is to read a hell of a lot and to write almost every day, even if its something insubstantial when you're struggling with writer's block.<br /><br />Judging from the gorgeous photographs that result from his photographic challenges, Carmi should issue writing challenges as well.Big Bad Bald Bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01983025559556548658noreply@blogger.com