Working Full-Time and Writing
(or for any busy writer)
As always, remember that these tips won't all work for everyone, so pick and choose what's right for you.
How to keep learning when you're crazy-busy, part four:
These days, there are plenty of ways to keep learning your writing craft through classes on the web.
Writing articles
Usually, I don’t have a lot of time to read, but I do have a few minutes here and there. Online writing articles are great for those snatched minutes.
I will often go to large writing website like Writing-World.com and Charlotte Dillon’s resources for romance writers that have tons of links to different articles. I pick a couple and read them during a break at work or while the stew is simmering on the stove.
Other times I’ll bookmark an article I come across and save it to read later. I have a bunch of articles in my browser bookmarks.
Another good place to go for articles is the Writing Tips GoogleGroup. The group is a notice-only group that gives links to writing articles every day. You can either receive the emails or go no-mail and only check the articles when you have time.
Free online writing workshops
If you belong to any organization like American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) or Romance Writers of America (RWA) and any of the RWA chapters, there are usually lots of online writing workshops given by members and available to other members to read.
ACFW has all their online workshops saved in their website archives.
For RWA, if you belong to any of the chapters, they usually have a section of their website devoted to online articles their members may have given. Or they might have a YahooGroup or GoogleGroup that was used for an email workshop, and you can check the email archives or the file sections for the lessons.
Typically, online workshop lessons are short and sweet. Take advantage of their length to read one or two lessons while you have a quick moment here and there.
You can also read short discussions on writing or critiques at Barnes And Noble Book Clubs/Writing clubs and the at Writer’s Digest forums.
Fee-based online workshops
Sometimes, I enjoy committing and paying for an online workshop so that it’ll encourage me to keep up with the lessons. These workshops are typically only for a set number of weeks, so you know that if you can block off time during that time period, you can get back to your regular scheduled life afterwards.
Many RWA chapters host fee-based online workshops, although for some workshops you must be an RWA member, or chapter member, or both. Here are a few chapters who give monthly workshops:
Kiss of Death chapter COFFIN workshops (College of Felony and Intrigue), which offers both murder/suspense related classes and general writing informational classes.
Hearts Through History (click on HHRW Mall, then Campus)
RWA Online chapter From the Heart Romance Writers chapter
Orange County Romance Writers chapter
There are several other chapters who give workshops. Check the Online Workshops section of the Romance Writers Report.
There are also pricier options like WritersOnlineWorkshops.com put on by Writer's Digest.
Whichever option you like best, utilize the web to keep learning and perfecting your craft!
Camy Tang
lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research,
and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her Asian chick lit novel, Sushi for One?, releases in September.
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