So .. last month I was feeling a little bored, and in need of a creative kick-start. Admittedly, as a list maker, I always have something going on. Too much time on my hands is .. too much time on my hands. I knew that I didn’t want to pursue anything “serious,” I just wanted to take a class for the fun of it. I did a little sleuthing and stumbled across a blogging workshop being offered through the local adult education program. Perfect! Situated right around the corner from my office, it was a one day, one shot deal, not requiring a major time commitment on my part. Never having blogged, I thought this might be a fun way to learn the ropes and, for $35, why not give it a go?
Driving up to the class that night, I was suddenly overcome by nerves. I am usually very calm, very confident, and very much in control. Not then. All I kept thinking was: what if I don’t understand it? What if all the people there are experienced writers? What if I have nothing to offer?
I entered the classroom, glanced around, and made eye contact with several people. Everyone found their respective seat and sat politely as we waited for the instructor to setup her materials and begin.
The class started, some of the information went over my head but most of it, I got. Quite a bit of it I could relate to. Then .. something shifted. I started having fun. I relaxed. I found myself offering information, showing others shortcuts. I laughed and exchanged observations with a young woman seated across from me, who gave me a sly smile that said, “I got it, I get you, we’re good.”
The class ended, and a few of us lingered to talk with the instructor, share observations and exchange contact information. The woman across from me? That’s Terri and we met for lunch yesterday. She’s warm, smart and interesting. The instructor, Sheryl? Accomplished, approachable, and a veritable cheerleader, who sends me emails of encouragement on a regular basis.
I don’t know if others will follow what I write here or not. I hope they will, but, if they don’t that’s ok, too. I set off to find something new and interesting to do… and instead I met some interesting people who gave me new things to think about.
Life. It’s like that.
Gawd I hate that….when one writes a comment and hit Post Comment and it takes off to the great abyss of nowhere. 😦
I had mentioned that I had never heard of a “Blogging Class” being offered before, but had never really looked in our Adult Education/Leisure books as of lately so it may be something they do offer now.
I been blogging for a long while now via another site….except I closed that just before summer due to lack of interest and having gone to Facebook. I made a lot of great friends over the years and they followed suit and started their own FB as well and now a majority of them are all connected via there. WordPRess grabbed my curiosity so we shall see how it goes…..
I never really thought much about how to blog, I just thought you write and have atter….some people read it, some do not, some say hi when they pop in, some do not….to each their own ….we cannot appeal to everyone right? I happened to like your blog when I stumbled across it…that is why I am an official “Emjayandthem Stalker” errr ummmm…..I mean follower!! 😉 I will post another blog soon….until then take care!
Well, I am glad you stumbled across my site 🙂 thanks for stopping in, and do have a ginger snap for me wouldya?
A blogging class? Great idea! I stumbled into this and spent a couple of years trying things out and endured a few pitfalls before feeling like I finally got the hang of it. The thing about doing it on your own is that it takes a while to make connections with other writers. I love the idea of coming together in a class and instantly being amongst like-minded souls. Thanks for stopping by my blog tonight. I’m adding you to my reader.
Thanks, Territerri, you’ve described it exactly, and the feeling of us coming together was what made it all worthwhile for me. Thanks for reading, c’mon back 🙂
Ha –you are so sweet and so wrong…I am not a young woman, I am older than you! Thanks for the kind comments though. Life is like that….and I am lucky that we both stumbled across the blogging class at the same time. Cheers to friendship, wherever it comes from!
Indeed: cheers to friendship, wherever it comes from — thanks for stopping by, MJ
I think I’m going to research online blogging classes! I’d love to do a better job on mine…. Blogging is illegal here in China (I have to use a VPN to read blogs and post mine!) so I’m not thinking a blogging class would be offered here in person… LOL
Another astounding freedom that we take for granted here in the West — hugs to you!
MJ
Amen! Life is totally like that!
~d.
Isn’t it though? It’s fun when the twists and turns turn out to be delightful. MJ
A bit like riding in that old car on the farm! 😉
yes indeed! MJ
Oh, how I wish I could find a blogging class locally. I’ve looked through the local college continuing education catalog and the Lifelong Learning catalogs. Nothing. I’m learning as I go…but that’s okay, too. Life is a process and so is learning this new thing. Have fun with your “new thing!”
Shirley
Absolutely, learning is a process. The class was great fun, but I’m an old 4-H girl at heart (Learn to do by doing). Most of what I’ve learned has been trial & error. Here’s my best advice for blogging:
https://emjayandthem.com/2011/05/17/write-what-you-know/
Thanks for visiting and if you need help, please ask 🙂
MJ
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