Week One
Some time ago I saw a Youtube advert for a writing masterclass with James Patterson. I didn't skip the ad, in fact I clicked on the link and read up on the on-line video course. It actually looked pretty cool and dealt with several elements of writing I struggle with. Even though I thought hard about it, I didn't sign up.
Lately, I had been thinking about the masterclass again and looking at my reasons for not signing up. True, I still have a lot of stuff on. I'm working full time, I'm trying to finish the second book in my middle grade series, I have a number of artistic projects in the pipe-line, including producing a dozen illustrations for an upcoming biography. I have a family and a new grandchild on the way. Yes, work and some family matters have been quite stressful over the last two years and I don't foresee much of an improvement in the coming year on those fronts. The cost and the negativity toward Mr Patterson, these were all just excuses and if I want to treat my writing professionally, I need to be professional. I need to prioritise my writing career and stop treating it like a hobby.
Although not my favourite author, James Patterson is a major success. I have enjoyed reading his titles that I have read and he must be doing something right because his books usually make the New York Times Best Seller list.
Then last night I was on Youtube and the advert for the course appeared again. Omen? Coincidence? Simple good marketing? Who cares. I signed up and started the course today.
I am going to post weekly as I work through the class and share my experiences. So far, I have watched the introduction, the second video lesson on Passion and Habbit, and I have started the third video on Raw Ideas. Now, I am working on the assignments; writing for at least one hour every day and coming up with three raw book ideas.
Okay, back to work now, time to put those raw book ideas down on paper...
See you next week with a progress update.
Some time ago I saw a Youtube advert for a writing masterclass with James Patterson. I didn't skip the ad, in fact I clicked on the link and read up on the on-line video course. It actually looked pretty cool and dealt with several elements of writing I struggle with. Even though I thought hard about it, I didn't sign up.
- I had too much other stuff on.
- I wasn't in the right head-space to complete a course.
- Although not overly expensive, there was still a not insubstantial cost.
- There were a lot of negative people saying James hasn't actually written a book in over a decade, that he just puts his name on other writers works, taking the credit and most of the royalties.
- James is not one of my favourite authors.
Lately, I had been thinking about the masterclass again and looking at my reasons for not signing up. True, I still have a lot of stuff on. I'm working full time, I'm trying to finish the second book in my middle grade series, I have a number of artistic projects in the pipe-line, including producing a dozen illustrations for an upcoming biography. I have a family and a new grandchild on the way. Yes, work and some family matters have been quite stressful over the last two years and I don't foresee much of an improvement in the coming year on those fronts. The cost and the negativity toward Mr Patterson, these were all just excuses and if I want to treat my writing professionally, I need to be professional. I need to prioritise my writing career and stop treating it like a hobby.
Although not my favourite author, James Patterson is a major success. I have enjoyed reading his titles that I have read and he must be doing something right because his books usually make the New York Times Best Seller list.
Then last night I was on Youtube and the advert for the course appeared again. Omen? Coincidence? Simple good marketing? Who cares. I signed up and started the course today.
I am going to post weekly as I work through the class and share my experiences. So far, I have watched the introduction, the second video lesson on Passion and Habbit, and I have started the third video on Raw Ideas. Now, I am working on the assignments; writing for at least one hour every day and coming up with three raw book ideas.
Okay, back to work now, time to put those raw book ideas down on paper...
See you next week with a progress update.
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