I have homework
By DW Davis
@DWDavis (25797)
United States
July 9, 2023 7:44pm CST
This afternoon I Zoomed in on the first in a series of 5 sessions that are part of a short story writing seminar I signed up for. Our first assignment, before the session, was to read 2 short stories by Ron Rash. Both were set in the North Carolina mountains. One took place during the Great Depression. The other was more current.
They were well-written pieces. Ron is considered one of the best short story writers around today.
The instructor of the seminar is Wiley Cash. Wiley is a North Carolina writer I've had the chance to meet on several occasions. I've also participated in other workshops and seminars he's conducted in person and online. He is the Author in Residence at UNC-Asheville and currently a professor at UNC-Wilmington. If I lived closer to Wilmington I'd love to take one of his writing classes.
Our homework for next week is to read 2 more of Ron's short stories and write one of our own. There are certain criteria the story has to meet. I will get started on it tomorrow.
Have you recently taken any classes or been to any seminars?
15 people like this
13 responses
@wolfgirl569 (135696)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Jul 23
The retired teacher has homework. That's not right
5 people like this
@AmbiePam (120685)
• United States
10 Jul 23
I took a class in building furniture from Home Depot before the pandemic, but I haven't had a real educational class since I was twenty-five. And, in full disclosure, I only went to the Home Depot class to support a friend's endeavor to try new things. She learned how to build a side table while I learned how many hours I could sit in an uncomfortable chair with a bad back. The instructor was just excited to have the biggest class ever: three.
Where is it I can buy your books? I don't think asking is against the rules, is it?
4 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
11 Jul 23
If your search for DW Davis Author, the best place to get them is that site named after the big river in
Brazil. 
K and I took a wallpapering course at Home Depot 30+ years ago when her mom asked us to redo the wallpaper in her room. It was the first, last, and only time I will ever hang wallpaper.
K and I took a wallpapering course at Home Depot 30+ years ago when her mom asked us to redo the wallpaper in her room. It was the first, last, and only time I will ever hang wallpaper.2 people like this
@toniganzon (77123)
• Philippines
10 Jul 23
The last time I attended a seminar was pre-pandemic days. It seems like ages.
3 people like this
@toniganzon (77123)
• Philippines
11 Jul 23
@DWDavis Oh now I remember attending a seminar last year from the Bureau of internal revenue via zoom. But didn't really pay attention. It was only for attendance purposes. Our bookkeeper does everything on our taxes.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
11 Jul 23
@toniganzon Before teaching, I worked as a Certified Public Accountant. We had to take 40 hours a year of Continuing Professional Education. Some of those classes were painfully boring.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86618)
• United States
10 Jul 23
WHAT????? You’re retired! Plus, you’re the teacher, so YOU give out the homework!! 
I think the last course I took was an introductory storm spotter course online about three years ago.
I think the last course I took was an introductory storm spotter course online about three years ago.3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174335)
• United States
10 Jul 23
The last classes I took were about twelve years ago for computer repair. I had fun but haven't used the skills.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
11 Jul 23
@DaddyEvil He should have offered you half his salary for the class.
I had a finance professor who, while brilliant, couldn't teach in a way most of his students could understand. It was a sophomore-level class, and most of the students were 18 or 19 years old. I was 27 and recently off active duty, and that seemed to give me an advantage. It go to the point that I was holding seminars after class to explain to the kids what the prof had been talking about in language they could get. The school hired me as a tutor when the dean found out. The prof wasn't mad. He was happy because his students' grades and his reviews improved during the two semesters I worked with him.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174335)
• United States
11 Jul 23
@DWDavis I already knew how to build a computer from scratch before I took the class but wanted the credit for the class.
I wasn't as happy about the programming course I took at a local small college. I ended up doing more teaching than the supposed teacher but I still had to pay for the class.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97993)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jul 23
Best of luck to you with your homework. I do not take any courses online,
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
12 Jul 23
@RasmaSandra Thank you. I'll check it out.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97993)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Jul 23
@DWDavis Perhaps this can help
https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-come-up-with-story-ideas-short/
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59699)
• Philippines
10 Jul 23
No classes or seminars for me.
There was one though for a data analysis boot camp but they were prioritizing female students.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
11 Jul 23
That sounds like a good class to be part of.
Today, I joined an online workshop that meets virtually once a month to share writing ideas and set goals for the next month. I chose a virtual workshop since I can participate no matter where we might be camping on the days it meets.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222317)
• United States
10 Jul 23
I've never taken a writing class or seminar; but I enjoy writing very much. Enjoy your day.
2 people like this
@peachpurple (13961)
• Malaysia
10 Jul 23
Seminars yes a noring one, end up napping
2 people like this
