I like to read anything that moves me, is thoughtful and relevant with a good story line.

Currently reading Transplanted Man by Sanjay Nigam. I am going through a desi writer phase. Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Amitav Ghosh as some of my most favorite.

Live Long and Prosper. :)

I took a 10 week online fiction writing class with Gotham Writers Workhop. writingclasses.com.

They have a great interface - you can check out a trial version at the site of what the actual screens look like.

They go through the craft elements involved: character, plot, point of view, theme, voice, review, marketing, etc. One topic a week with a lecture module in which the lecture is posted on top and the 'class' - in our case about 15-20 people, having a discussion in the lower module throughout the week.

The advantages: meeting other people who write, relating to their trials and successes, discussing fine points - discovering that most people have something that they have trouble with and must work on. The teacher is a published author and in my case a wonderful person. It gives one a lot of encouragement.
Most of these people are just like you and me - other professionals who want to start writing or brush up.
And online is good for building confidence, you don't have to 'talk' if you don't want to. Everyone is polite and considerate.

The disadvantages: I personally did not have any bad experiences. It's a bit hit or miss if you get a good group - ie, one that can really lend support and be helpful and not intimidate. I've heard that some places can really criticise too much and kill the fun. It's also a fair amount of work. Take it when you can dedicate some time atleast - like an hour a day or every other day would be adequate. And it actually moves fast.

The rules at GWW work to make it a more nurturing environment - you get to submit two any length stories (finished or unfinished) to the 'Booth' where each person will read it and describe it's 2 good points and then 2 suggestions for improvement. And you will do that for everyone else too. You get good at reading raw stuff and so get good at correcting your own stuff too.

To get a good idea of their lecture material you can look at the the book Gotham Writers Workshop 'Writing Fiction' - you know, you can even use it as reference and maybe if we succeed in making a good enough group we can possibly mirror the experience here.

It was worth it to me because it made me do it. I've always dreamed of it, sat down a few times and had no idea where to start. This helped me to focus, carve out time and also make a space to write regularly. It also helped me to understand what my goal was. ie, short story versus novel.

Two other books that helped were:
Stephen King's On Writing
Anna Lamott's Bird by Bird.

Wonderful that you love to read - can't write without reading.

And it's a marvelous idea to write children's books - I love to wander the shelves at the bookstore and dream of when my daughter will be old enough to take her and read and enjoy the smell and feel of books.

I've read Agatha Christie in the past and find her plots were very good and very concisely written.

And science fiction too - have read more comedic ones like Douglas Adams and fantasy like Terry Pratchett. These authors fascinate me with their rich imaginations.

And thanks again - yes, you are the first!! Celebrate it. I hope we can do some good writing and learning here.

I was thinking of taking an on-line class but was not sure if it was worth it or not. Can you tell me a little about it and how it works?


Peace

Hey Nush,

Welcome - I thought of this village after talking about writing with you yesterday. Here I am banging my head against the wall thinking of how to meet up and make an informal writing group. And you've been there all along!!

I was just going through my online writing class material and it was astounding to me how much I learned in 10 weeks. I have the materials, the resources, the focus and a pretty good idea of how to run this thing. I think we can do something really good here.

Take care and thanks for joining.
Simi

Thank you! Wow, I'm the first??? :) :) that's a first :)

I like to read all types of books. I like mysteries, like Agatha Christie. I like all types of science fiction, I'm a bonafide treki :) And I like to read childrens' stories because that's the kind of work I want to do, write for children. I have written some stories but I want to improve my skills before I publish anything.


Peace