I’ve Started My Own ‘Private Writing School’
and it’s free.
Last January I looked into possibly working with a writing coach when I was taken over by writing. I felt it might keep me more disciplined as a writer.
So, I called a few coaches the phone to get their ‘free consultation’. I was astounded and shocked by what they were charging.
One ‘expert’ gave me a ridiculous quote of $400 a month to… be my writing cheerleeader?
Um, noooo thanks. My finances are super duper tight. I want to be a writer on a shoestring budget. I honestly don’t have extra cash to spend.
I thought, Wow I might be low on funds but I am very high on:
- Dedication
- Discipline
- Downright Determination! DAMMIT!! LOL
( I do love alliteration. I have a whole alliteration chapter in my book Word Explosion.)
I think these three D words might even be more important than anything else for a writer.
I was reminded of authors from the past. How did writers in past centuries do it? They just found the time. They learned by doing.
Many didn’t have funds. Many were forced to write in cafes or outside on park benches. Some were homeless or lived in their cars, like J.K. Rowling.
Many didn’t have teachers or mentors.
They wrote wherever they could and as often as they could. They followed their muse.
If you are a writer, you will write.
So I’ve created something similar to my own ‘ Private Writing School’ — but with no tuition!
These are just three benefits my ‘Private Writing School’ is offering me.
1. YOU CAN LEARN ANYTHING ONLINE.
I went researching online and I found that there is a plethora of wonderful detailed and amazing informational web pages, blogs, tutorials, podcasts, etc. out there that I can get for — FREE!
I research the authors and subjects I’m interested in and VOILA!
I can learn personally from them and on my own time.
Some of my favorite writing teachers to keep me inspired include:
Liz Gilbert, Marie Forleo, Stephen King, J.K. Rawlings, Seth Godin, Marion Roach Smith, Neil Gaiman, Ernest Hemingway, Julia Cameron, Anne Lamott, Brene Brown, and Steven Pressfield.
Also, I go to websites from writing organizations like NAMW (National Association of Memoir, the Memoir Writing Network and the Women’s Writing Circle. They all have detailed helpful articles. No charge!
It’s liberating to see that I can learn anything I want by doing my own research and sniffing around the web.
No need to pay an expert. WOOHOO. Hey, some say we are our own experts anyway.
2. I CAN READ BOOKS FOR FREE!
I have cut out most of the expense of buying books.
I find great books to read for free not only by going to the library and a wonderful Library reading app called R.E.A.D.S. You can read endless books, even bestsellers from this app. It’s wonderful!
I also read many free and low priced books from my Kindle.
I’ve read about 97 books since last year for free on this app and I’ve saved tons of money. How much would 97 books have cost me if I bought them all? OMG.
As Stephen King says, Read A lot and Write A lot. I can do both with no real budget.
Also, I read a lot of wonderful thought provoking well written works on www.medium.com.
3. CONSTANT and UNDIVIDED ATTENTION FROM THE TEACHER — ME!
Hey, I don’t have to wait to get to a class or get the teachers attention. I will always be here to support myself.
I am my own teacher and motivator.
It’s comforting to know my teacher is available 24/7.
They say ‘when the student is ready the teacher will come’.
Well…HERE I AM! THERE YOU ARE!
You can be your own teacher, cheerleader, instructor!
So, I am loving my new “Private Writing School’.
I am the sole student and the sole teacher. I am getting so much productive work accomplished and not spending needless money.
Maybe you can create your own ‘Private Writing School’.
It really is fun and the price is right. LOL
THANKS FOR READING! www.michellemonet.com
Thanks for reading Writers Guild — A Smedian publication
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