First off, to be really cool you must enter The
Really Cool Contest with Really Cool
Prizes for you to choose from.
Second, today is Tuesday so we are talking about strategies for being a successful "Art Entrepreneur"- which I define as someone who engages in the arts in such a way that they
are their own business, in need of branding, definition and promotion.
Bam. I could work for Merriam or Webster.
Today, I was hoping we could think about continuing education. Lawyers have CLE, continuing legal education, that they have to get every year in order to remain eligible to practice law. I think this is a great concept. I have thus developed the not-so-original idea of CWE, continuing writing education (but feel free to insert whatever in there- dance, acting, etcering). Part of being successful in any business is knowing as much as you can about your business. Most entrepreneurs fail either because of a lack of knowledge about what they're getting into or incorrectly estimating expenses. Luckily with art, we don't have the same types of expenses as other entrepreneurs.
I have taken a few classes as a part of my CWE and I also intend to go to a workshop or two before the year is out. I have learned a lot by keeping up with your blogs and the blogs of agents and publishers as well. I feel I need some more CWE though. Any suggestions? What do you do for your CWE?
photo: dave_mcmt
That's a really good suggestion, I haven't really done much in the way of CWE other than reading fiction books.
ReplyDeleteUh huh. Actually that is a great method. Something I've barely been making time for of late. I need to find a few good books and have a wonderful Lost Weekend, not unlike Ray Milland's, because it may involve a margarita or two.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to a writing workshop this weekend that's run by Todd Stone. I also have read some books and agent blogs to continue educating myself :-) There's a lot of resources out there for writers. Oh yeah and reading, reading, reading :-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I also have CP (critique partner) and you, Regina, helping me out :-) Thank you so much. By the way...did you get my email, Regina? I wasn't sure if you've gotten a chance to look at POV and tense on Chapter 1.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done anything formal, but I've found many books on the craft that have taught me so much. And like Abby said, I have great crit partners.
ReplyDeleteBethany- I agree with the "reading, reading, reading" which I tend to forget. I did get chapter 1 and am enjoying it so far. I've been under the weather lately so I hadn't had the chance to fully do anything but I enjoy the tense and POV. More notes later. Oh, and btw, I may want to send you something soon if you'd be willing to read.
ReplyDeleteSusan- I very much need great crit partners. Do you meet with them live or are they online?
Regina,
ReplyDeleteSure, I'd be willing to. I just wondered which tense to use (3rd person past tense or first person present tense...just wanna know which was better that's why I wrote the chapter half and half). Thanks so much!
P.S. I hope you feel better soon!