It's Never Too Late to Learn … Or to Learn More
When a marathon runner wins his first race, he doesn't stop his daily practice runs. If he wants to continue to compete, he must continue to work his body and to challenge himself to get better. Just because you understand the basics of writing a novel doesn't mean you can't improve. The more you learn about writing, the more you realize how much there is to know.
Writing is a form of entertainment and the entertainment industry is constantly in a flux of change. Learning and updating your knowledge of the craft of writing is not only beneficial to getting you published, it will help keep you published. Learning is job security. To paraphrase Deepak Chopra, you don't grow old, you get old when you stop growing. Keep your writing fresh and young by feasting on knowledge.
Taking writing classes is one way to keep your writing muscles strong. Colleges and continuing education classes generally offer some writing courses. Just because they might not be specific to the romance genre doesn't mean they won't help you with writing. Also, most writing organizations hold conferences where writers at all stages of development can learn from the knowledge of others.
The Internet is truly the information superhighway and the online writing courses offered today are endless. Online classes are generally affordable and offered by published writers or experienced teachers. You can usually find one to address your specific problem areas. If you belong to writing organizations or RWA, you will probably find the posting of available classes on your group's loop. Here are three Web sites where you might also find the perfect class to help you improve your craft:
www.worldwidelearn.com www.writingclasses.com www.writewithus.net
Perhaps once a month, decide to work on a weak area of your writing. Buy or get from the library a how-to book that covers one specific area of the craft. For example, if you think your characterization is weak, read a book specifically about creating characters. Be your own teacher and assign yourself homework that involves creating characters and character traits.
