The wrong question.
Shay, you’re on the right track, but I think you meant to ask “What do you need to get out of the course?”. I’ll answer both.
What I wanted was a refresher on basics, as well as some information regarding proper formatting, how to get myself organized initially, and how to work my way around a block when I hit one. I wanted something that would augment my writing, and reinforce some of the basics that I haven’t visited in a scholastic sense for three decades. I wanted a course that would give me weekly assignments that would get me into the habit of writing something other than my journal and my work projects.
What I need to get out of this course is a sense of proportion. In my mind good writing is a fluid, mutable thing. While I’ve made fun of what appreared to be plug-and-chug writing in the past, I never actually encountered a course that taught it. I need to sit back and realize that this is an entirely new slant and that if I’m patient there’ll be some gems buried in the equations that I can take and make my very own.
I came hoping for writing skills. I’ll leave with a fresh perspective, and hopefully a more patient attitude. I will listen to the teacher, but ultimately this is my novel, not hers. I cannot argue that her way is one way of approaching things, and within it may be what I seek for circumventing the dread writing block.
I will also leave with the knowledge that no matter how good I personally think a piece of writing is, there’s going to be an expert out there that’s going to tear it to shreds. Frankly, if a thick skin is the only thing I leave this course with, I’ll have gotten my money’s worth.
I forgot to mention … she politely panned the cat parable.
No, I didn’t forget to mention. My ego still stings.