Why You Should Take an Online Writing Class with Cat Rambo

Although I’ve known and written with Cat Rambo since 2005*, in the last year I’ve had the privilege of taking two of her online writing courses.

In addition to publishing two short story collections, being the editor of Fantasy Magazine and a multiple award nominated writing and editing in the years since Clarion West, Cat is building a reputation as a fantastic writing teacher.

Having taken both the First Pages and Editing 101 classes, that reputation is well-earned.

I heard about the First Pages workshop long before I took it.

All the good things that I’d heard were true. First Pages was one of the most helpful, informative critique sessions I’ve ever been a part of.  Not only was it great to have my own first page critiqued in detail  by Cat and guest editor Louise Marley, but hearing the pages of others (and later critiques) gave me a better sense of the exercise.

The critiques were direct, constructive and gave specific aspects that worked and needed work on. I left having a better sense of what a fresh reader took away from a first page, and how to fix what wasn’t working.

The quality of the critique I received made me enroll in the Editing 101 class. Over three consecutive weeks, I met with Cat and other students via Google Hangout.  I attended as a writer wanting to improve my editing skills, but got so much more.

By comparison, I took a 9 month-long non-fiction editing certificate program at the University of Washington and Cat’s class covered much of the same ground, albeit in slightly less depth, but with more relevant focus on fiction. Cat’s background as a writer and editor is clear in her wealth of practical tips and examples. Her cats (the furry four-legged kind) are also pretty cute when they deign to make an appearance.

Can’t recommend Cat and her classes enough. Here are a list of some upcoming offerings:

  • Podcasting Basics (with Folly Blaine) Sunday, 9:30-11:30 AM, July 7
  • Establishing an Online Presence for Writers, Sunday, 9:30-11:30 AM, July 14
  • Literary Techniques for Genre Fiction, Sunday, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM PST, July 21

Of course the best place to go for information is Cat’s website.  So do that. Do it now.

 

 

*Full disclosure: Cat Rambo is a fellow Clarion West 2005 grad. I am lucky enough call her a critique partner, and a friend.