I wish I were a faster writer. I wish I were a better writer.
I’ve taken classes to not only bolster my writing and storytelling skills, but to improve my overall process of being a writer. I take many classes on many venues. I’ve taken just over thirty classes from January to October 2018. For some of you this number is crazy, but its a driving need for me.
One of my frustrations with the classes I’ve taken, was when a class worked for someone else but didn’t click for me. There may have been a gem or two, but I didn’t have the revelation I was hoping for. I wondered if there was something wrong with me or the class.
Then I stumbled across the Write Better Faster class by Becca Syme. It was the first class that I’d taken that the class took personality tests to guide the writing process. We took DISC, Meyers Briggs, and optional StrengthFinders.
This class brought home the fact that how my brain was wired drove what worked and what didn’t. And shocker – we all are wired differently.
This is the introduction to a series of articles about the process I’ve gone through to embrace how I’m wired and my quest to become a better faster writer.
What I intend to cover:
Write Better Faster – the tests
Strengths for Writers
Reader wheels and my writer identity crisis
Thinking – a core part of writing
The basement – and how to get out
My writer statement
Wrap-up
Any class recommendations?
You mentioned that you’ve taken 30 classes. Were any of them similar to another but had a different presenter? Did they give you something to work on, even if was just a little? I’m hoping you took something from each one to use in current writing. Never heard of Ruzuku training. It’s all online?
If you take the classes, tell us more about them. Id like to know if its something I might be interested in.
I immediately thought about Becca Syme’s Food Writing Class to help me with the unwritten story Fiddlers Pie!
Can’t recommend anything at the moment. You most likely covered the essentials already.
Sounds like a good learning experience. If things go well for me I plan on going to Boston for a workshop in 2019.
https://museandthemarketplace.com/schedule/
Good luck with the classes.
Hey Darnell,
The 30’s biggest overlaps were on Deep POV, showing verses telling, and editing. Most of the classes had something. Unless I know and love a teacher, I’m cheap and not willing to pay a lot for a class. All of the classes this year have been online. There are not many classes in my area that seemed useful or they were too far a drive.
I’ve been thinking about compiling classes into list as a reference with the caveat that its just my opinion. I wasn’t;t sure if anyone would find it useful.
Boston looks very cool. Its nice they show the classes that are sold out. Wish was 2019 was not looking so overly stuffed already. 🙂
Thanks for the link!
The most productive path for me has always been meeting regularly with other writers, in person, to read, discuss and critique work.
When that wasn’t available, a deadline can work as a temporary substitute, with much more stress and self-flagellation.
Hi constantreader,
I’m glad you found something that works for you. There is a writers group in my area that does editing. I’m an odd duck and didn’t feel like the group was for me. I’m much more comfortable in the virtual world. Plus with babysitters and day jobs, virtual classes fit in much better for me.
A deadline is great. I have the issue that the deadline I set is mostly meaningless. I have to have an outside deadline. I’ve used contested entries or classes as deadlines. Those generally seem to work.
For sure on the stress. I’ve gotten slightly better than the all-nighter to make the deadline. Slightly. 🙂
Thanks for the comment.