Are Online Writing Courses for You?

Yesterday, I was at one of those cax (the new slang for chillax has been reduced to one syllable) parties in the Texas Hill Country. Let me paint a picture for those of you who’ve never been to this part of the world. The live oak trees spread their branches like so many canopies, creating a natural tunnel effect and providing shade in the hot Texas sun. The gnarly trunks and branches and the thick pine and lime green colored spirally leaves on these evergreens create a profoundly soft picture against the land's harshness. The ground comprises limestone bedrock, often rocky and scattered with brush and hearty succulents, cacti, and buffalograss.?

At these home events, you’ll often find a smattering of foldup chairs with cup holders, a smorgasbord of finger food and possibly BBQ, and coolers with drinks. Live music is not uncommon, as most people with land enough to hold at least 25 guests invite their friends to play a little C+W, bluegrass, blues, jazz, or some combination thereof. The dress code is what I like to call Texas country, the equivalent of Laura Ashley (remember her flowery print dresses?) meets cowboy/girl and uptown: a little splash of glitter or color in a blazer or hat to offset the earth-toned skirts or plain blue jeans.?

More often than not, I run into people at these parties who have a book they’ve been wanting to write or a life story everyone in their immediate environment insists should be written down. When they learn I’m a ghostwriter and author, their eyes light up, and suddenly I’m their therapist. They pour out their story uninhibited and sometimes go into great detail about what happened to them, looking at me with wide eyes in breathless anticipation of a positive response.

Just yesterday, a woman going through a rough divorce who lost the business she and her wasband (her former husband) built together for twenty-plus years but got the house in the settlement emphatically said she needs to write this for “other women” going through a similar situation. Is she a writer? Not at all. Does she want to get her first draft down on paper? Absolutely!?

A few weeks ago, I ran into someone at a networking event whose parents both died in a tragic automobile accident when he was a teenager. He lived with his aunt and uncle, who lovingly nurtured him even after he graduated college. He wants to tell the story of their unconditional love. Is he a writer? Not at all. Does he want to get his first draft down on paper? Absolutely!?

I tell them this: Don’t write your book without being coached! Here are some tips on why you might find online book coaching advantageous.

• You are a busy professional and want to work at your own pace?
• You require accountability in your own time
• You’ve never written a book?
• You require guidelines and know-how to write and finish the book
• You want to see if writing is a calling or just a one-time project?
• You prefer to make a small investment upfront?

If any of these reasons resonate with you, I recommend you check out these two online courses: beginners and advanced. https://elisekrentzel.com/courses .

Happy Writing!?