Cindy's Journey Through the Writing Essentials Program

A 24 week writing class. Wow! That seems like a very long time for someone who is not comfortable with writing. Hmmm, perhaps that alone should be enough of a reason to sign up for the class. I want to become a stronger writer and be more comfortable with the entire writing process. I also want to find my voice. Not my business voice, I know where that voice is, and how to use it, but my conversational writing voice.

I am feeling very anxious right now about all of the homework I have to do for this writing class. I know I can do this, and as a result of this class I will be a stronger and more confident writer. This is something I have been missing for a very long time, the confidence to write.

I am so glad Dawn has created this class and it melds grammar with writing. It forces one to understand why they write the way they do. After all, how can you do one without the other? I have a new appreciation for the process of writing.

I can already see a difference in not only my writing, but my writing for business and the way that I look at things. This class has already helped me with some collateral pieces my client is putting together. I feel more comfortable and confident in making suggestions in the writing process. I already feel like I'm becoming a better, stronger writer after just three classes. I can't wait to see how I feel in another three or four classes. I can feel myself stretching new writing muscles! To my surprise, I have found when I really get into what I'm writing I actually enjoy it, and it is much easier to write more than just the basics. I feel I'm becoming a more well-rounded writer and reader. I don't look at reading, and authors, the same way that I did before this class.

Wow! Where has the time gone? We just finished Class 7, and I feel everything Dawn has been teaching is finally coming together for me as a writer. I still struggle with the 'show, don't tell' piece of writing, but I am working on that through my one-on-one coaching with Dawn. What a great enhancement the one-on-one coaching is as a part of this class. It gives me the opportunity to work on something that is personal to me, and doesn't interfere with class.

Here is how I would sum up the changes I have seen in my writing over the past three months: I would say I feel now I can actually sit down and write something that has more than one paragraph to it. Experimenting with some of the different writing styles has also been fun. It has helped me to try and find something that works for me. I am looking forward to the last quarter of the class to see just how far I've stretched my writing muscle.