I don’t know about others, but I have been in school learning about one thing or another since I entered kindergarten as a five-years-old. I keep learning because I love to, and I think as a writer it’s imperative to broaden your experiences and taste every area of life. How else can one keep coming up with new, fresh ideas to write about? As Julia Cameron says in her excellent book, “The Artist Way,” we have to fill up the well. In the past I’ve taken classes, just for fun, and wound up writing and publishing pieces. Took a class in video presentations – sold an article about it. Took a class in vegetarian cooking and wrote an article about two vegetarian caterers I met in the class. Volunteered at the Sheriff’s Department (hey, that’s learning!) and got a book out of it. Another great aspect of taking classes is the new people you meet. And who doesn’t want to make new friends?

Today is August 3rd and I have a whole month before I can take out my new notebooks, sharpen my pencils and head for class. I can’t wait!