Unique Writing Courses/Workshops
Mexican Travel Writing, Maritime Writing, Virtual University, ED2Go
A guide to choosing interesting and unique online and onsite writing courses. Here are some of the best workshops and seminars available.
Here are a few suggestions to kick start your writing life that won't break the bank.
On Site Programs:
3-Day Mexican Travel Writing Workshop
To be a travel writer you should travel - right? What better way than to head to Puerto Escondido in Mexico to check out the new course by veteran travel writer, Michele Peterson.
For US$195.00, this three-day workshop session is loaded with goodies that will kick-start your new career. Packed with insights from her own vast experiences of writing for magazines, newspapers and the internet, Michele's workshop focuses on practical exercises designed to get you writing and more importantly, to get you selling those travel articles. Before becoming a full time freelance writer, Michele sharpened her marketing skills in the business world.
For four nights beach front accommodations plus the workshop fee, the price jumps to US$495 - a great deal in this surfers paradise that is still relatively undiscovered. Optional afternoon activities include horseback riding, spa treatments and surfing-just some of the activities you can experience to write about.
Maritime Writers Workshop
The picturesque New Brunswick capitol, Fredericton, on Canada's east coast has been hosting this venerable workshop for over thirty years. The University of New Brunswick 's popular July week - long workshop is ideal for those who want to sharpen their skills in Poetry, Fiction, Creative non fiction, Writing for Children and Science Fiction.
Class size averages from five to eight participants. Morning sessions start with a lecture by a visiting instructor and evening are reserved for readings and visits to local cultural events and pubs. The atmosphere is warm and laid back but the structure of the course and the valuable feedback and individual consultations with workshop leaders insure the work gets done. Scholarships are available. Fees for the week long session are CDN$425. Room and board is an extra CDN$250 - $400 depending on meal choices.
Online Offerings:
Virtual University
For just US$20 (US) per semester, anyone can register for up to three Virtual University's diverse course offerings. Courses run for five to six weeks, four times a year. In addition to writing courses that include memoir and grammar workshops, computer courses and high interest academic topics are all on the list. Want to know more about criminology or the healing power of herbs? How about using Open Office or fancying up you website. These and others are available at VU.org. Certificates are also granted to those who complete a final examination.
These very practical courses run six weeks with an additional two weeks to finish up course assignments and tests. A highlight of these courses feature a discussion board where other students can provide feedback on your work and your instructor will answer questions.
Students receive immediate feedback on electronically graded quizzes but instructors do not normally mark assignments. These writing courses that are priced from US$95 to $119 favour the beginning writer but are fine for motivating the rest of us.
