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darredet
Darren A. Deth

Aug 18, 2005, 10:55 AM

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Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio	Can't Post

This is for Sergio, or anyone else who wishes to know a little more about online writing courses at VC.

Sergio, I was unable to reply to your private message regarding this topic nor did I see an email address.

Les Edgarton (Edgerton?) was the instructor I had. You can take this course for either Undergrad or Graduate credit. I chose graduate. You have to do papers for either one, the only difference being length. There were about 10 other students in the class and you get extensive feedback from everyone, as well as giving it yourself.

It was a great experience. The only drawback is the lack of physical presence, which you will get when you go to grad school.

Darren

podi

Aug 21, 2005, 5:40 PM

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Re: [darredet] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks much, Darren, for the info on VC's online course. I'm definitely looking into it.

I'm deciding between VC, UCLA's online writing program, and the writer's studio in NY, which I've heard good things about. If anyone else reading this has any thoughts on these programs, or other related advice (any instructor recommendations?), I'd appreciate hearing it.

My goal is to take an online fiction class (unfortunately I can't sign up for one that meets in person, due to work schedule) before possibly pursuing an MFA.

Thanks again,
Sergio

Lisa C.

Aug 25, 2005, 6:33 PM

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Re: [sergio] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am an online class junkie and I found the two classes I took with UCLA to be outstanding. In fact I have another one beginning in Oct. The teachers and students were very focused and talented.

podi

Aug 26, 2005, 4:52 PM

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Re: [Lisa C.] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks, lisa c. that's good to hear about ucla's classes. can you please share who your instructors were?

sergio

Lisa C.

Aug 26, 2005, 5:02 PM

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Re: [sergio] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

I had Dan Jaffe for both classes. One class was short story writing and the other was on Revision. He was respectful and, I believe, with a couple of exceptions, he checked in everyday and he was very active in the discussions, with comments for everyone.

Moonshade

Aug 28, 2005, 1:53 PM

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Re: [sergio] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sergio, I took UCLA online short story writing course last year. It was my first online class and it was an impressive experience. The teacher was excellent and my virtual classmates were as serious about their writing as I was. The reading assignments were thought provoking as were the writing assignments. The instructor read everything I wrote (and I wrote ALOT) every week and asked specifc questions to help me understand the strengths and weaknesses of my story.

I produced the rough draft for two stories during my eight week course. I learned so much about the craft of writing, much more than I expected. I really stretched my writing muscles and I am still pleased with the instruction I received.

podi

Sep 1, 2005, 11:22 AM

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Re: [Moonshade] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, Moonshade, for your comments. These posts are quite helpful. I'm inspired by everyone's experiences and motivated to pursue a course while holding a full-time job. If any of you have any tips on this (on average I work about 40 hours a week, but have a lot of vacation time) I'd be curious to hear how you struck a balance that worked for you.

Cheers,
Sergio

willbell
Will

Sep 1, 2005, 2:20 PM

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Re: [sergio] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's definately possible to do both. I'm currently enrolled in a low-residency program that demands 25-30 hr of writing/reading a week. I also hold a full-time job, take care of my 1-year-old daughter, and deal with all of life's craziness (specifically maintaining/restoring my 1840s farmhouse, which is a time-eater). Of course, everyone is different in their habits and routine, but this is what works for me: I write from 4:30-7:00 am, work at my job from 8:30 to 5:00, make dinner/feed baby/spend quality time with family from 5:30-7:00, put the baby to bed at 7:30. After 7:30 (and during my lunch hour) I read to keep up with my annotations. I also try to spend as much time with my wife as possible--at night and during breakfast. I use the afternoons and nights on the weekends to relax with the family and do chores around the house. It's crazy but it works for me. My advice would be to find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. But, like I said, everyone works in a different way...you'll be amazed at how productive you can be when set to a routine...

dubious

Sep 8, 2005, 6:20 PM

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Re: [Lisa C.] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very interested in these UCLA classes. Could you tell us a little more, or give us a link? Did you start stories in the class, or work on old stories? What is the approximate cost? Would you call it beginner, intermediate or advanced? I'm going a little crazy and need to be in some writing class, but online sounds as if I could fit it into whatever my schedule turns out to be...

Climbing the walls and missing feedback...

dubious

Lisa C.

Sep 8, 2005, 6:49 PM

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Re: [dubious] Vermont College Online Courses-Sergio [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://www.uclaextension.edu/

In the SS class, two stories are submitted. I had one done before class began and the other I wrote during class. The classes are ten weeks long. In the class on revision, one story was required and revised two times. cost is $495 per. They have classes at different levels. As someone who has taken many classes, I would say that UCLAex does require more work than some others I have taken through Gotham Writers Workshop and three other places that I have worked with.

I have MS and don't leave the house much, so for me, online classes are a wonderful thing.

Recommended!

Lisa

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