First, thanks to everyone who read my previous post which was a lore building short story for Jefferson’s world of Asura. I appreciate all the feedback and have decided to leave it up as posted and edit it among my files instead. Leaving this copy up will showcase how far I’ve come as a writer in comparison to my earlier (and future) works!
Now! In regards to the title, HAPPY WRITING NEW YEAR!
Yes, I realise (truly, I do) that the 1st of January is over half a month away, HOWEVER, I have decided to embark on a crazed journey of epic proportions!
I have enrolled in not one…
No, not even TWO…
BUT THREE WRITING COURSES!
For so long I’ve been sceptical of these online courses. Tossing your money out there into the abyss that is the internet seems like a surefire way to go broke and learn nothing. But for two days, the Australian Writing Centre had some pretty sweet deals. So I spoke with my lovely, caring and supportive partner (also beautiful, oh hi hun, didn’t see you there!) who suggested I do two of them. Her mind was along the same track as mine and after a mildly infuriating day of Retail Christmas, I whipped out the old credit card and paid for some courses!
First, I enrolled in the “Pitch Your Novel” course as I have two completed first drafts and if I want to find an agent to represent me, I need some pointers. Publishers? Well that couldn’t hurt too.
The second one, as you can see from the above photo, is entitled “Inside Publishing”. Wait? What’s that? It says “Make Time to Write”? You’re not wrong. Fun fact, this message popped up (nearly giving me a slight heart attack as it’s the only thing on their page I don’t need help with) after I submitted my payment for the other course. I think it will be most interesting to see behind the mysterious publishing curtain and see what things lie in wait.
Lastly, I decided to go with the “Build Your Author Platform” course. Not only has it been drilled into my mind one hundred times a podcast episode that this is super important, but I’ve also been blogging for quite some time. Just recently I’ve been making an effort to use the ole Instagram (read: pups, food, travel photos with some writing stuff sporadically scattered about), Twitter (read: quotes, questions and harassing my favourite living authors) and occasional Facebook post (read: everything else). I feel like I’m on the right track, but I suppose I’m looking to make it a coherent experience!
I bought these courses for $300 Australian but this is one of the first (relatively) big commitments I want to make not just to myself, my adoring fans (are you out there?) and my friends and family but also to my imaginary friends who want to be able to share their crazy world and adventures with you. I owe it to them!
Anyway, the reason I wanted to scream this from my tiny mountain in the middle of nowhere is so A) I don’t forget I paid for the things, B) I do the things and C) I can look back at my silly self after I’m published and shake my head at not wanting to pay for the things. Also, so others can cheer me on and keep me in line and I can give some advice on the courses down the track to other skeptics (no, I am not sponsored by them… although I will take free things, notebooks especially).
Thanks for swinging by and wish me luck!
What are your plans for the Writing New Year?