Sunday 28 February 2010

Empowering Characters Emotion

Tomorrow my online course starts with Margie Lawson, from March 1 to 31. I came across Margie recently, browsing through my blogs, and bought one of her lecture packets about editing. I have barely scratched the surface of it, because the things it includes would be more applicable once I have finalised my draft with new scenes I need to add. (That's the reason you guys haven't heard about it yet).

I was quite pleased with the editing packet so decided to have a go at an online class. I debated whether to buy a lecture or attend a class. The price is not much different (only $8 extra), but what made me hesitate was the fact that working with an editing partner and sharing work is significant part of the course. You don't have to do it (I am not going to), but you get the most out of the course if you do, because Margie would only provide feedback on the assignments that are posted in the loop which the whole group can see.

I was wondering if it would be of any use since I will still be working by myself, but in the end decided to have a go, because all of these classes are offered only once per year (as far as I can see), so I didn't want to miss it. Even if I don't post my work, perhaps I can learn from other people's mistakes. It will be worth a try anyway, because even if I don't find it very satisfactory, I will still have the lecture packet at the end of it.

I decided to take this course because I feel that though I am quite good with sad scenes, generally my emotional scenes are lacking in emotions. They don't pull enough punch. So this class might come in handy. Besides, I am one of those freaks who actually loves studying, and I love classes. Actual physical classes would be ideal, but since I don't have free time for that, online would have to do. It's just so much fun learning new things - and I even like doing assignments (No I didn't like them when I was in school. I am not that weird).

So wish me luck, and hopefully I will make good use of this class all through the March. I shall tell you all about my experience either during or after the class.

P.S. - I have just found out that there are 150 people in that class. It's all done through yahoo group, so obviously it doesn't make much difference, but even so seems like a lot of people. I will keep you posted on my experience.

11 comments:

  1. Good luck with the course, Dolly!

    I also have difficulty with emotional scenes, but I'm far too broke to consider a course lol :-)

    (You guest blog is now up, by the way!)

    Adam

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  2. Thanks. You can't be doing too bad since you've got the novella accepted. :-)

    I went and commented on my own guest post ;)

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  3. Ah, but being a humorous urban fantasy, it was very light on the sadz. ;-)

    Adam

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  4. Good Luck! I'm sure it will be everything you hope it will be ;o) I have a lot of trouble with the emotional scenes. I don't know why, but it's hard. Looking forward to hearing what you learn!

    Have a good Sunday ;o)

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  5. good luck with the course
    its too easy to overdo the emotional scenes

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  6. Good luck with your course! It sounds interesting, I look forward to hearing how you make out with it.

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  7. Erica / Lee / C R,

    Thank you. I have to say that I am really looking forward to it. I don't think I will be able to apply everything to my WIP in one month (think back to my post about assimilating knowledge), but I am sure it should give me better grasp on writing emotional scene than I have now.

    And of course I shall keep you all posted, and give my review of the course.

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  8. Hope it proves everything you want it to be, good luck!

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  9. Honestly? I'm quite sure you'll still be able to get a lot out of it without sharing your work. The revision course I'm taking is set up with "work groups" wherein we can discuss the lessons and share what we'd like, and I've found that my approach to the coursework is so different from most people's that I prefer to work alone anyways.

    I'll be looking forward to hearing what you learn! :-)

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  10. Jamie,

    I totally agree. The way I work is usually different than most people too, so I also like to work alone, and besides for editing partner thing I have got particular issues, which I will be doing a post about :-)

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