I have taken a class from the Long Ridge Institute of Writing. I am currently enrolled in The Writer’s Bureau and Holly Lisle’s How to Think Sideways course.
The Writer’s Bureau is a good school. They do offer a money back guarantee if you don’t publish within a year after graduating. The course is thorough, covering everything from fiction to nonfiction, writing plays and writing for the radio.
With each assignment, you name the place where you would send your piece for possible publication. Your tutor grades your assignments and sends them back to you with his or her comments, and whether or not to sent the article or story off for possible publication.
If you have any questions, you can write or email your tutor and ask. Interaction with other students taking the course is nonexistent. Your materials are not on the web, they are in books which are sent to you through the mail.
They course is good, but it is not my favorite. I would like to be able to interact with the other students. Even though you are free to write the tutor and ask questions, I don’t feel that the teaching goes into enough detail. There are things that could be covered in more depth.
I took a course from the Long Ridge Writer’s Institute many, many years ago before the computer was a common feature in just about everyone’s home. From what I remember, their courses are good. Now these courses are available online.
The course that I recommend more than either of the above is Holly Lisle’s How to Think Sideways course. For the cost, I believe she offers a much better course than either the Writer’s Bureau or the Long Ridge Institute for Writing.
This online course covers writing fiction, short stories or books. Holly Lisle, a successful writer herself, gives great advice on how to get started in the business of writing.
Would you like to learn how to come up with plot twists that surprise you and grab your readers’ attention so they have trouble putting your book down? This could be the course you’ve been waiting for.
How to Think Sideways has made the world of writing not so scary for me. It has shown me how to write in a way no other place ever has. My characters, plots and cultures are more believable. Dialogue no longer gives me nightmares. I’m not done with the course yet, but my confidence in my own writing has been strengthened.
Just what is covered in the course? Each month, you can download a video that covers the month’s main topic. Included with each of the weekly lessons is an assignment and a technique demonstration. You learn how to develop plots, realistic characters, cultures and much more. How to find a market for your work is also covered.
Each month, there is a checklist so that you can judge your progress.
A monthly question and answer section made up of the most frequently asked questions from students is available. If you have a question that isn’t covered, you are free to ask your question in the forum.
You are given the option of being a part of a private workgroup where you can discuss the assignments with other students. The forums are available for even more interaction with the other students.
This course is costs less than the other two I mentioned. It is either $47.00 a month for 6 months, or $25.00 a month for twelve months. At that price it is easy to improve your writing and chances of publication.
If you wish to check out this course for yourself, simply click on the link below.
Holly Lisle does not always have this course open for new students. Click on the below link to find out if it is open at the current time.
