If you’ve been reading here for a while, you might have realized that over the past couple of years (yes! it really has been that long), I’ve been working on a memoir of my relationship with my mother. Last October, I posted that my writing partner and I had celebrated the completion of our respective drafts. At the time, I was unsure whether I would do anything more with mine, but since then, I’ve begun revising it into a second draft. Turns out, after that break from the material, that I’m pleased with what I’ve written, and I can see more clearly what the completed memoir will do. I expect I’ll tell you more about that eventually.
Meanwhile, I’ve been revising, and it’s been going quite well, and then Instagram began showing me “sponsored posts” about an online course given by a local university, and the next thing I knew, I had enrolled myself in a six-week course on How to Structure and Outline a Novel.
Now, I have never thought much about writing fiction, but somehow last year I wrote a few chapters of something, mostly as an antidote to the emotionally gruelling work of memoir-writing. Those chapters were fun, and they showed me two things: how very ill-prepared I am to create characters and plot, especially (I think I could get setting, world-building) and that I would like to figure out how this is done and see if I could do it.
So. . . . the course started yesterday, and students are advised to allot four to six hours weekly, and I am quite sure I won’t be able to do that and keep up regular posting.
I will try to continue with twice-weekly posts, but I suspect many of those will be photos only.
The photos in today’s post: Top, of my mother, holding me as a baby; Middle, my journal page with a pencil sketch of that photo; Bottom: A Mural I saw in a back alley on my run yesterday — I see myself in that little girl, myself trying to sort the puzzle of the story I’ve been telling about my mother, about myself as mother and daughter. . . .
I’m off now to view some video tutorials and think about the assignment I need to post later in an on-line Discussion Group. A bit odd, to be honest, being on the other side of the screen from when I was setting assignments and moderating discussions as Course Instructor. At least, I’ve been on the student side of the screen when I took a short Craftsy course on Perspective in Sketching, but that was in a field where my expectations for myself are low. A Writing Course, on the other hand, for a former Literature Professor (which, of course, I have not divulged to other students nor to instructors) brings some performance pressure I’m trying to ignore. I think it’s good for me, though, right? At the very least, adapting to a new software platform keeps the brain cells fresh?
What about you? I know many of you have taken online courses and/or other forms of Continued Education — what were your biggest concerns or fears? And did those problems materialize? How did you overcome them? (or not!) And were the courses worth the effort? What were the biggest benefits you got from them? Etc. Etc.. . . I’d love to hear your stories and advice. Chat amongst yourselves, and I’ll be back when I find a minute. I’ll read all your comments, but I may not find time to respond to all of them.
You said last week you wondered if you had retired too early and I smiled and thought 'Oh-oh…excess energy…that's the 'danger' point where I would enroll in a course…' And so you have done.
My adventures in continuing ed would fill several pages and I think I experienced all the formats…of course they all had their pros and cons. In the heat of it there were always things that annoyed me but looking back those things seem less important. I'm interested to hear how it goes.
You (and your girls) have such a family resemblance to your mom. And oh those cheeks on baby you!
The resemblance between you and your mum is strong! Also, don't tell the peeps that you are a lit prof. Seriously, let that be your special secret. Then, one day you can write a short story about it 🙂
Your not one to ever get "stuck" I admire your stamina and how ytou continually reinvent yourself and try new things…just like your illustrated journal…we learn so much from our experiences in life, and taking risks is all part of it.
Your memoir sounds really interesting…and my goodness you look like your mom.
I am a clone of my mom and its startles me sometimes when I look into the mirror!
I'm a big fan of using online resources to study up on the basics of fiction-writing:). Am also now looking into the find an agent thingie, using, yes, online resources! I hope you have a really good time – as the daughter of an English professor I have had to develop an inner voice to remind me that I don't know as much as I think I do. Or maybe it's not the English professor thing, maybe I'm just kind of a brat. Quite possible!
What a great example you are. I find that it’s necessary to stretch ourselves. Congratulations. I hope someday that we might get to read your book.
Ali
Wow! Wonderful!Congratulations!
This is a great idea-an online course- and I hope you'll enjoy it
I see a writer's course retreat in the future….
Lovely photo with your mother-I agree with Georgia
I've taken a couple of courses IRL at the economic university when I was fifty and was afraid how to deal with other students thirty years younger than me. It was completely unusual for someone like me (and they knew all of my titles and degrees)to take something like that and actually study (I've taken the first exam,just to see how it would be-excellent-,and just listen to the others) ,but it was great after a couple of days-it was one of the best experiences. All in all,I didn't learn a lot of new,life and bussines-oriented things I needed ,but it was funny to learn
We'll be here,don't worry and enjoy
Dottoressa
I would absolutely love such a course. Being in the deepest depths of rural France, no university anywhere near, online would be great. I have taken other online classes and found them stimulating. You are inspiring me to hunt for a class. I have a bit of a novel started and would love the structure of a class (about structuring a novel, no less) to move forward.
Your memoir sounds like it would be personal yet with universal appeal. I think I have a photo of myself with my mother, similarly dressed, standing before a house with similar siding. Universal.
Enjoyed this post very much – and your illustrations! Will you share details about the online course – who is offering it? Would love to pursue my own writing and online makes it much more accessible. Many thanks.
I am behind on reading your posts! Smiling as I read this one and see that you allow no grass to grow under your feet! Those same feet that pick you up right after a full-body tumble! Good for you, Frances! I look forward to reading about your experience. Hoping you will find it enjoyable…without the pressure of others knowing your literary background! You can reveal it in your own time…if at all!
I am digging into preparing our home of 34 years to be put on the market! May we have the same luck as you in selling quickly!! That's when I first found you!
Don't reply…unless you have a secret dumping place for the clutter and accumulation of 34 years! 😛 Just know that I appreciate you!
Charlene H
Old photographs are such a wonderful way for delving into the past, aren't they? Sketching one had never occurred to me, though, but I might try one day. (You are a source of continuing inspiration.)
The only kind of online learning I ever practiced is brushing up my Italian via Babbel. But I did participate in some courses IRL while still working as a teacher, and I always enjoyed being at the receiving end of the teaching line, so to speak, leaning back and letting somebody else do the work.
Wow, wow, wow. Your questions brought up a lot of thoughts and reactions for me. I began a Master's program at age 57. I decided to live in a dorm for that first course so that I would not be distracted by home and family life. The class work was challenging but do-able. But the need to catch up with the technology now used in higher-ed was an enormous hurdle. Portals, on-line discussions, sending documents digitally, so many research sites-whew! I graduated 6 months before turning 60 with the highest grades I ever received in my life. For that I was elated. (And my daughter, who attended the same college, and I graduated in the same ceremony which delights us still.) But the balloon burst when I went back to school in the fall. My job was no different than it had been prior; very few people wanted to hear about the latest brain research, or how we could restructure schools to meet the needs of 21st C kids, and I floundered to return to a life that didn't revolve around class schedules, a lengthy commute, and homework. I've since completed 15 more credits for a variety of reasons. I was amused when I filled out a questionnaire for one of the last classes asking what my hobbies are. I realized that the ones I used to list were no longer relevant, so I listed "taking classes." The local university has courses for seniors primarily in the summer and there are also Adult Ed courses at the local high school all year long. I'm toying with the idea of taking a welding class so I can make custom made iron and wood tables just like on HGTV's Flea Market Flip.
I loved the photo of you and your mom. I knew the woman was not you simply by the age of the photo, but, wow just amazing. Carol in VT
That photo of baby you and your mom is great, and I agree with the others regarding your resemblance. An online course is a good idea. I might look into that in the fall when indoor time is plentiful.
FYI for the last few weeks I have not been able to comment as anonymous (using apple iphone, iPad or iMac) so I have signed up for a google account and will try that now. Just wanted to let you know Incase others are also having issues. Not sure if there is any other way of letting you know this type of technical problem….
Might have fixed the issue by allowing “pop ups”
Funny I did not have trouble before – sheeesh
Suz from Vancouver
Online learning can be wonderful. I did most of my French degree online, in my late 40s to early 50s, and loved it. There was a learning curve for the technology, but not too bad. More recently I took a couple of online courses through UBC that worked well. I'd like to do more when I retire in a couple of years.
It's wonderful that you finished your memoir – I was talking to a close writer friend about my mother and my feelings after her death, and he said 'just write it'. I'd always thought fiction was more my thing, but I may try. And I'm excited that you're doing the novel course! I started a Masters of Creative Writing a couple of years ago but had to drop off after one semester because I simply had too much going on. However, I wrote some pieces I was happy with during that single semester and actually got a story published. The process of working with others and giving and receiving feedback was so fantastic – inspiring and helpful! I hope you find time to tell us about yours.