Media Bistro Copy Editing Certificate Program So Far

Hey friends! I just finished the first class, Intro to Copy Editing. Yay! On my way! I hope...
I figured if anyone is following along and is looking for honest feedback they can trust, then I owe you that much!

So with one class down and five to go, here is my impression thus far:

Media Bistro Copy Editing Certification
Intro to Copy Editing

Pros
1. Nice easy online interface
2. No strict "must show up" "must participate" "deadline or no grade"- you get what you put into it
3. Class chats are saved in case you miss the chat...which I did. Every single one.
4.  No real hard grade so it's okay if you take the class to learn and aren't a genius already.
5. Personal grades on homework turned in on time. Nice personal touch.


Cons
1. Instructors...not so easy to get a response from
2. Chat times are pretty late. Which if you have a late schedule works great but 8pm...I want to be done with school by then and back to working on my novels!
3. Lessons consisted of a few PDF pages and then reading from the AP Style book online which...
4. ...you have to pay for. The AP style book that is. Bleh.

So about neck and neck with pros and cons. Overall, the schooling seems laid back and I feel like I'll get what I put into it but not be stressing if I forget a due date or class chat. Which by the way...when it comes to online schooling that is one thing I detest. Online group chats. Seriously what do they think we're going to get out of typing a half-a** "response" in?

Anyway, rant over....I feel this particular first class was more aimed for those of you looking to edit for a newspaper. Did you know that AP style deems the plural form of cactus as cactuses. Not cacti! I know! We were told wrong...at least if you are writing in AP Style. Me...I'm looking to edit fiction and possibly academic work and online content. So I mostly feel it was kind of pointless. After all, if someone puts cacti in their online article, why would I change that? So like I said, more for newspaper editors.

I hope that because that particular class was introducing AP style book that that explains the way of "teaching"...which is more teaching yourself. Hopefully the next class, Grammar, will be better and I'll feel like I'm getting my monies worth.

I'll keep ya informed!

From One Writer...
Love,
Shelby

Best Writing Books for Novel Writing

So you're a writer and that means you've probably read dozens of books, maybe more. Or have you? If you're anything like myself you could spend hours just browsing through the library online book store and amazon Kindle Store (if you have an e-reader and if you're a writer/reader, let's face it, you need an e-reader).  I have had dozens of "samples" of writing books that you can get for free on your Kindle just to test them out.

But actual hard copy books, I have about 5. They are highlighted and tabbed. Why don't I buy more hard copy? Because I want too many! And I can't just read them, I have to take tons and tons of notes. So I got myself an Arc notebook from Staples, or use any notebook, and borrow books from the library and just take notes. If you must own the book, consider an ebook since they are cheaper.

 

Anyway enough ranting. Here is my list of the best writing books I have found useful (which means they have at least several pages of highlighted areas that I have learned from and wanted to keep for future reference. I will post new lists as I read more books. But hopefully, this should get you started on some really great writing books to help you sort through the zillions that are available. They are in no particular order, and range on topics from outlining to character development to simple plot structure.

1. Write the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass (haven't tried the workbook- but I want to)
2. Nail Your Novel by Roz Morris
3. Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell (almost the entire thing is highlighted)
4.  Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yarley
5. The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson (haven't tried the workbook-but I want to)
6. Plotting Simplified by Eddie Jones (emphasis on simplified, but good refresher on basics)

Like I said, I'll post more very soon and only ones I really enjoyed/learned from. I'm in the middle of reading several at this moment. Hopefully these can get you started. Good luck perfecting your craft!


From One Writer To Another, Love
Shelby