|
The Writer's Connection, SM
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach SM
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Teaching Writing Courses
4. Getting into Action
1. Preview
The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
March, 2005
Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,
This month features information about teaching writing courses.
3. Teaching Writing Courses
Let’s face it. Not all of us our lucky enough to derive our total income from writing. For many, we keep our day jobs and we pursue our dream to move writing from an avocation to a vocation. Until that day becomes a reality, one can earn extra income by teaching writing classes. My first class as a student was advertised at my local Barnes and Noble store and the teacher was well experienced and published in writing short stories and feature articles for women’s magazines that you see at your local grocery store’s checkout counter. Our class size was around eight and we prepared our news blurbs not to exceed 200 words on interesting topics from gardening to cooking to how to improvise a skit with your children. We next wrote features articles not to exceed 200 words and finally ended the course with our very first short story. The teacher critiqued each submission on how to improve our writing. We received feedback from read-arounds in class. This class proved invaluable for building self-confidence and sharing your writing with fellow writers. Many of us went on to other writing courses and critique groups after Christie’s course. She was quite the entertainer and wore a different hat each week depending on what mood she wanted to introduce into her writing. She also introduced us to Writer’s Market, an invaluable tool for manuscript solicitation and submission requirements.
Another doctor friend of mine teaches a literature course at our local community college which he enjoys because of the change of pace from his hurried surgical practice. He teaches the basic writing and style elements and gives his students an appreciation for classic, literary short-story and poetic pieces. The money is insignificant to him compared to his passion for teaching and watching his students become confident and capable storytellers.
Another friend began a writing group at his church among retirees who were looking for a forum to share their work and to receive feedback on their writing. This group still meets after two years and includes autobiographical and fiction material that touches every emotion from humor to pathos. Much of the work is non-fiction and describes life fifty years ago when life was more simple and predictable. Much has been said of “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw in his book of the same name and many of these writers include gripping accounts of their WW II experiences and the aftermath of the fifties when Eisenhower was president.
Teaching writing can be an informal book club or a formal college course. Start by writing an intriguing class description as to what you want people to learn by taking your course. With the advent of distance learning and the Internet, many writing courses are now taken over the Net with bulletin boards, interactive video, and listservs to maintain a sense of community within a virtual world. I would suggest including your course in a flier that can be posted or mailed to prospective participants. Another avenue for teaching might be a reading club with a local eldercare living facility. Many of our seniors still enjoy a captivating story that removes them temporarily from the daily reality of their current situation.
Another way to share your enthusiasm for your writing is to join local writers’ groups and organizations like Mystery Writer’s of America of have local chapters. You get to network with other writers and meet book agents and publishers at local conferences. If you have a completed manuscript you also have the opportunity to pitch your book to a national agent who’s looking for new talent. Again, opportunities are available to you if you will take advantage of the associations and networks that support writers. The Internet also has many writing clubs and institutes that provide distance learning for a fee but I would first exhaust my options locally. Writing does not have to be a solitary endeavor if you will allow yourself to share your “voice” and passion with others who share your same dream.
4. Getting into Action
"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.
This month's recommendations:
- Go to a book signing at your local bookstore. Talk to the author about how s(he) keeps current in his(her) writing mechanics and style.
- Take a writing course through your local community college.
- Join a book club or writing group that emphasizes writing more than critiquing one’s work. Try to get with a group of writers who write in the same genre—e.g. fantasy short stories, feature articles for magazines, mystery novels.
Subscription Information:
The Writer's Connection SM is a free publication. If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you can SUBSCRIBE by clicking here or by sending a blank email message to keith_barton@att.net with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
To UNSUBSCRIBE click here or send a message to keith_barton@att.net with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Be assured your name and email address are confidential. We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-1735
Fax: 281.893.1145
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2010 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights
The Writer's Connection SM is copyrighted, but you may retransmit or distribute
it to whomever you wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or deleted, including the contact information. However, you may not copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Writer's Connection SM in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals, organizations and associations, as long as the issue is reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue to fit your space requirements. Republication also is encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance permission of A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that changes in the text are desired.
The Writer's Connection SM Mission:
The Writer's Connection SM is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.
The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.
We would like The Writer's Connection SM to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to keith_barton@att.net.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find The Writer's Connection SM interesting and beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing, and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives
You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality
Copyright by Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, 2001-2010
|
