Today I start Steph Auteri's eclass, 5 Weeks to Freelance Awesome, and with back-to-school season in full swing, it seemed appropriate to blog about writing classes. There are a ton of freebie courses and premium courses out there, so how do you know if you're signing up for the right one? I’ve probably taken dozens of writing classes, starting with summer enrichment programs in elementary school and continuing through college, a professional certificate, and all the random classes I’ve taken for fun (plus, I now teach writing myself). I’ve scrutinized course titles and descriptions, contemplated syllabi, and I’ve come to the conclusion that there's a single factor that makes or breaks the class for me: the instructor.
It doesn’t matter how fascinating the course description sounds or if it has a catchy title or if the class is presented by a prestigious university or writer’s association. It’s all about the instructor. How do you know if you’ll hit it off with someone you’ve never met? That can be tough, but there are a few ways to scope them out.
- Email the instructor. I've taken classes with super-accomplished instructors who just didn't have the time to give their students much feedback (in one case, the instructor just went MIA the last week of class). Sure, you can get some useful information just from reading the handouts and doing the homework, but how is that different from reading a book or a blog post? Emailing the instructor with a question about their class can give you insights into their teaching style. If they give you a curt response (or worse, don't respond at all), they may not be prepared to give students much hands-on attention. If, however, they take the time to answer your question in a friendly, informative manner, it's likelier that they'll offer personalized feedback during the class.
- Ask around. Just because someone has a long list of credits doesn't mean they're a good teacher, so don't rely on an instructor's bio. Instead, ask fellow freelancers which classes they've taken with which instructors and if they'd recommend them. You could also post on a forum or listserve so you can get some direction before signing up. And keep in mind that the same class taught by a different instructor could be a totally different experience.
- Read their blog. Admittedly, not every blogger is who they appear to be. But many writers and other creative pros let their hair down a bit when they blog so you can get a better sense of their personality than, say, reading their bio or their latest book. Also look at how responsive they are to reader's questions and comments, as this can offer clues on how interactive they might be during class discussions. Steph, the instructor for the current writing class I'm taking, is incredibly candid and honest on her blog, so that gives me high hopes for her class. (Full disclosure: I've met Steph during two different trips to NYC, so that gives me an even better sense of her personality.)