Romance Writers of America

So, I joined RWA in January. I wasn't really sure what I was going to get out of it, but I wanted to join a group of writers with similar interests, who are travelling similar paths. I am planning on joining an online chapter of RWA as well, with the hope of gaining critique partners, meeting other romance writers, and generally improving my craft.

RWA has an extensive website, with industry stats, workshops, newsletters and more. It has so much information it is overwhelming at first, but I'm working my way through it.

And last week, I took my first online class in RWA University!

It was called “Let Your Characters Write Their Plot”, and was presented by Christie Ridgway. Somewhere along the line I read there were almost 800 participants in the class, from all over the world. Never having taken an online class before, I wasn't sure how it was going to work out.

I was amazed.

Every morning, Christie posted the lesson in the forum. Each lesson had three or four questions at the end, which could be answered based on your work in progress or on a novel you had read. If you wanted, you could post your answers in the forum.

And then Christie answered them all.

Yes. All of them.

Her notes were quick and to the point, but she even replied to questions about her replies. I have no idea how she kept up with it all!

It was a fun, interesting experience, and one I hope to repeat soon.