Is There a Better Way than Courses to Improve Your Writing?
I think there is.
As those of you who read my last newsletter know, we are now on school holidays. My girls finished the year, making me very proud. One graduated from nursery and looked adorable in her hat. The other won a sportsmanship award, team play, and the support of others. This is especially special for us as she has ASD, and if we were honest, three years ago, we didn’t even know if she would manage mainstream school.
We have a few trips planned in the holidays and regular outings to the beach. We are fortunate to live 20 minutes from the sea. You can join me on notes for updates and daily writing tips.
As I was looking through notes this morning, I was bombarded with writers trying to sell courses on writing to anyone who would buy them, and one thing struck me.
None of them offer any diversity.
I wish them all luck if it makes them money, but the only niche they know about is writing.
Where do the courses teach you to write true crime that entertains whilst remaining true to the victims, or how do you write a good manual on training your dog?
Very few have mentors who are diverse enough to show you how to write other niche articles.
As a true crime writer, I know much of their advice doesn’t work. I can’t inject myself into the story, and I can’t write witty how-to articles. Well, I could, but neither is legal, I fear.
Now, if a writing course would teach me how to structure articles better and look for reliable research, I might consider it, but it isn’t out there.
As a teacher, I could quickly produce one of these courses, but I would add to the noise. This is part of why I introduced this newsletter’s paid subscribers tier.
If you are a paid subscriber, I will send you an email address where you can contact me as often as needed. I will also add a Zoom call for the first twenty subscribers where you can pick my brains in person. I am offering one-to-one mentoring in your niche. If I can’t help, I will refund your money; you can keep the other benefits.
If you enjoy this email, please share it so more readers can find it.
Until next week, stay safe
Sam 😊
Quote of the week
The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves. - Steven Spielberg
Short-Story of the week
An Abandoned Beauty
Rose threw her legs out of the bed for the fifth time in one night. The baby wouldn't sleep for more than forty-five minutes. As soon as Rose drifted off, the screams woke her again.
If the only subject someone writes about is how to make money as a writer then I consider them a marketer more than a writer. Making money from marketing the prospect of making money. Lowest common denominator. I believe we all stand to learn more from writers who succeed on their own merits. I have to.
Hold for laugh.