Getting Words on the Page – Your Questions Answered!
Curious about the course but still have questions? I've got you.
Starting, enlivening, and sustaining a writing practice is not only doable; it might even be… fun! Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions, and don’t hesitate to give me a holler if there’s something you’re wondering that you don’t see below.
Now that enrollment is open for the Getting the Words on the Page eCourse, you might have some other questions. Hopefully, you’ll find answers here!
Be sure to use the coupon code CREATIVESUMMER to get a 50% discount on the course when you enroll before 8/31.
Q: Will this course help me publish my writing?
A: The focus of this course is not on publishing, but rather on the act of writing itself. So the short answer is no. On the other hand, this course may help you generate new material that eventually leads to you submitting it for publication. The course is about the process, not the outcome, of your writing practice.
Q: Will I benefit from this course even if I’m already an experienced writer?
A: Absolutely. You could have a bevy of writing awards under your belt and still benefit from this course. It’s designed specifically to help you reconnect with the fundamentals – and fun – of writing practice. Sometimes, that is the very magic experienced writers need in order to reconnect with your voice.
Q: I’m just starting out and to be honest, I’m really insecure about my writing abilities. Will I be able to keep up with this course?
A: Yes! All of the material here is designed to be equally accessible and useful for brand-new writers and established writers alike. The activities in the course will meet you exactly where you are. You’ll have the opportunity to email me during the course if you have a specific question.
Q: What makes this course different from other writing courses?
A: The course is both practical AND deeply human. You will be reminded, again and again, that showing up matters, that everything you write counts, and that you do not have to write a bestseller in order to call yourself a writer. If you would like a hefty dose of kindness and compassion with your writing exercises and tools, this course is for you.
Q: Do I submit my work to you?
A: No. A big part of this course is developing the muscle of writing regularly and being your own witness, rather than turning to outside validation.
Q: But what if I want feedback, coaching, or editing?
A: Wonderful! You have the option of scheduling a free 15-minute "meet and greet" call or a coaching session with me if you’d like to discuss going forward with any or all of these.
Q: How long does the course last, and how much time will I spend on it?
A: That is ultimately up to you, as the course is entirely self-paced. All of the material will be available to you as soon as you enroll. Plan to spend anywhere from 1-3 hours per module, or a total of 4-12 hours at a minimum.
You could complete the whole course in a matter of days, or you could take your sweet time and stretch it out over the course of a month, completing one module per week. Another thing to note is that the material in this course is timeless and reusable, so you may find yourself dipping back in long after your first go.
Q: What if I can’t think of anything to write?
A: This course offers LOTS of practice writing even when you don't know what to write. Rather than experiencing that blank moment as an emergency, you can also use it as an opportunity to check in with yourself. My suggestion is to begin writing anyway, using a simple grounding phrase such as, “I’m sitting…” or choosing a sense and writing as much as you can about it. There are always ways in, and the key is to keep the words coming even if you don’t like them or don’t know where they’re taking you. Moments like this don't go away, but moving through them does get easier with practice.
Q: Can I get a refund if I don’t end up liking the course?
A: All payments are final and nonrefundable. If you start the course and don't like it at first, I encourage you to keep going anyway. It could be your inner critic talking – and Module 4 of the course offers you a whole new way of relating to that voice :)
Q: Will I have time for this course if I'm super busy?
A: Of course it is up to you to make time to complete the course, but the short answer here is yes! The course is entirely self-paced and consists of many shorter activities, so you can move through it in whatever way works best for your life. Also, your access to the course will be ongoing, so even if you end up being too busy now, you can return to it later.
Q: I have a short attention span. Will I be able to complete this course?
A: The videos are all under five minutes each, and many of the activities are meant to be completed in 10-minute chunks. You do not need to sit and write for three hours at a time (unless you want to).
Q: Will taking this course improve my writing?
A: The goal of this course is not to make you a “better” writer as much as it is to help you become more at ease with the act of sitting down to write on a regular basis, getting words on the page – any words – and helping you develop more consistency, curiosity, and self-compassion along the way. So the answer here is less of a “yes” or “no” and more that it’s simply not a primary concern.
My belief is that you can’t improve your writing if you’re not writing consistently in the first place. This course will help you do that, and from there, there are many ways to focus on things like grammar, craft, and technique.
Q: I’ve taken tons of writing courses and read lots of writing books already. Should I still sign up?
A: Yes! But don't take it from me. Here's what one Getting Words on the Page alum has to say:
“This was a beautifully packaged toolkit that I will for sure continue to revisit in helping me get words on the page. I've read both ends of the spectrum when it comes to writing prompt books [and courses] – some being like, 'Write a poem about air' while others are like 700 pages of abstract musings on how to tap into the Akashic records in order to generate creative ideas. Getting Words on the Page was practical and accessible, and every exercise was both useable and re-useable. What you provide here is a simple and powerful framework for actually sitting down to write. I LOVE that.” ~ Adam Ortiz
Q: Will I have access to the course content once I'm done?
Yes! Once you enroll in the course, you can repeat it or return to specific lessons as many times as you'd like.
Have other questions you didn’t see here?
Leave a comment or drop me an email and ask away!
Love,
Jena
p.s. Don’t forget to use your CREATIVESUMMER coupon code to get 50% off the course price when you check out! Sign up here:
https://fierce-encouragement-for-writing-life.teachable.com/p/getting-words-on-the-page
