When do you stop learning? | Ideas for Mystery Writers
I thought this might be a good topic because in our household, we’re always enrolled in classes on one topic or another. I’m not talking about classes and seminars related to writing either. Nope, I like to learn all kinds of new stuff. For instance, this fall I’m taking a class in drawing and water colors and a class in acting! Why? Because I love art and know zero about creating it and want to learn how to draw. Acting? Well, I’ve always wanted be in a play. I don’t aspire to be the lead, and I seriously doubt you’ll ever see me in a Broadway production but I think doing a small walk-on in a live performance would be the bomb.
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!
Tags: adult education, classes, life long learning, topics for articles and books
August 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I think you’re right, we should always continue to learn. We had a drama class for awhile at our church. I took it to learn more about how actors take on the persona of their character. I think its a great way to improve the Show not Tell aspect to writing. I’m interested to see what comes out of your continuing education this time.