How James Patterson's MasterClass Helped Me Become a Better Writer

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. MasterClass, a NaNoWriMo 2016 sponsor,

offers online courses taught by the best in the world. This year, they’re offering Wrimos the chance to watch a free lesson from James Patterson’s Master Class–only available to NaNoWriMo participants. Today, author Amanda Poeggemoeller shares how MasterClass has helped her writing:

I have been writing on and off for close to 10 years.  I would start a project, get frustrated, and then put it aside.  I went through this several times, and at the beginning of 2016, I promised myself that this was the year I would get serious and set some goals.  As luck would have it, it was not long after that I came across the James Patterson Teaches Writing offered through MasterClass on Facebook. I know how to put a sentence together, but there is so much more to writing a book, much less a published novel.  I have read books and blogs on writing, but this was my chance to learn from one of the most successful and prolific writers in the business.  I signed up immediately.  I didn’t realize until later exactly how much I would get out of my MasterClass.

The classes are made up of video lessons, a workbook, and online discussions.  I enjoyed that it has something for everyone, from beginners to experienced writers.  It confirmed that I was on the right track in some areas and taught me things I had never thought about as well.  I had to rethink my strategies and realize that writing a book was about more than just writing.  The planner in me delighted in the lessons about researching, characters, plot, and outlining!

MasterClass was more than just lessons on writing.  It included encouragement and community, too.  I had a picture of a lone writer sitting at the computer with a cup of coffee tapping out a masterpiece.  I was right about the coffee but wrong about the being alone part.  I discovered that I could connect with other writers through the online community.  On the MasterClass website, participants can post their homework and get feedback.  I completed the lessons back in March and still continue with the additional activities offered in our Facebook group.  I can get feedback on my work, ask questions, and continue to hone my craft.

“MasterClass was more than just lessons on writing. It included encouragement and community, too.”

The skills that I learned from the class gave me the confidence to enter Camp NaNoWriMo in April, and I am happy to say that I am close to being done with my rough draft from the project that I started in MasterClass.  The lessons about research and outlining were crucial in getting me so far in a relatively short amount of time.  And, because of the continued access to the website, I can go back any time to review the lessons.  I just recently went back through some of them for inspiration for this year’s NaNoWriMo.

Now, instead of being frustrated with a project when I get stuck, I can go back and figure out what to do to fix it.  I’ve already met my goals for this year and hope to have two finished rough drafts by the end of the year.  MasterClass is truly one of the best investments I’ve made for my writing career.

Amanda Poggemoeller lives in Texas with her husband and three daughters. After spending her early career in the financial investments industry, she decided to stay at home with her young children.  Now that they are all in school, she has focused her attention on a writing career.  She enjoys volunteering, crafting, and spending time with her family and pets.  She is currently working on two projects, and is looking forward to publishing her first novel.