This is the title of a news article my friend Jerrie Alexander http://www.jerriealexander.com/ wrote quite a few years ago before either of us were published authors. Because I publish my own books now, (Thanks, Jerrie, for all the assistance.), I seldom experience the agony around pushing the Send Button. I don’t enter contests anymore. Besides the goal of getting feedback, the hope was to catch an editor or publisher, which I’m no longer looking for.
But Tuesday, I had to push “Submit.” Just as angst producing as pushing Send for a contest or trying to get an agent or editor interested in my baby.
You may ask, “What were you submitting?” Well, I’m going to tell you. Texas Christian University (where I received my Masters degree) has a program for “older” TCU folks and the community. It’s called “Silver Frogs.”https://lifelong.tcu.edu/ Every Fall and Spring, courses are offered on all sorts of subjects.
Wednesday was the deadline for submitting RFPs for the fall semester.
This photo of Texas Christian University is courtesy of TripAdvisor
A friend from church suggested I should do a course on self-publishing. I thought, sure I can do that. I mean I’ve self-published three of my own books now and will a 4th one this fall sometime. (That will be The Second Chances Series, Book 3, ACT OF BETRAYAL.)
So I went on-line to check out the proposal process. Did I want to do one 90-minute session or four 90-minute sessions? Well, I’d have preferred two 90 minute sessions. One session is just not long enough to do much of anything, but did I know enough four 90- minute sessions? I sat down and typed a few topics and sub topics and then I tried to divide them into four classes. Well, what do you know? I have enough material to cover all that time. The trick will be to make it somewhat interactive and not all lecture. I won’t start on a power point presentation until I hear if I get selected. I might not. I’ve never taught the class before, but I am a TCU grad and a local published author with a pretty good social media presence. (Well, it’s in existence. LOL) If you don’t apply, you don’t get. It’s kind of fun that when I was getting my MAT I taught a Voice & Diction class at TCU.
In searching for the TCU Logo above, I found this great shot of Fort Worth. It’s from USA & World Report Best Colleges list.
My writer friend, Jo-Ann Carson, just taught a 3-hour course at a local college, and has already been a great resource. (If you haven’t read any of her books, you should check her out. She writes quirky heroines with humor and suspense.) http://www.jo-anncarson.com/
A couple of weeks ago, I taught a Women’s Circle Bible lesson. Hadn’t “taught” anything in a long time. It was fun and as is always the case, the teacher learns the most. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy teaching.
I hope I get a chance to do the Silver Frogs course and of course, I’ll keep you posted.
Are you a teacher? What have you taught that you really enjoy? Do you do it regularly or just on occasion? Love to hear from you.
Hey, Marsha – If you do the course, I’d like to take it, schedule permitting. Self-publishing is an arcane but fascinating subject. I’d really like to know more about it. -Dan
Hi Marsha,
I think your course will greatly enrich your community and I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences. Thanks for the shout out.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
Hey, Jo-Ann, Of course. We all help each other out. Maybe that’s from our teaching backgrounds. Hope I get to do this. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and stopping by.
I used to teach freelance magazine writing courses for their extended education program. You’ll have a great time.
Do I still teach? ALL the time–one thing or another. If you’re a teacher in your soul, you’ll always teach something whether you realize it in the moment or not.
Hey, Renee. Well, I know you did a super job. And yes, we are always teachers. I hope I get to do this. It will take a lot of work, but will be lots of fun. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 Marsha
Hi Marsha, that’s great that you applied for this job. You have so much experience now and I bet you’re a really engaging teacher! If only I lived nearer I would love to take a course like this. Super idea of your old college. Best of luck with it. They’d be mad not to snap you up!
HEy, Helena.Thanks for your vote of confidence. Can I use you for a reference? LOL The thing is, I’m not an expert. I’m sure there’ll be questions I don’t know the answers too. However, that very fact makes me perfect person to teach the course. If I can do this, then anyone can. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and all your support. 🙂
Congrats on hitting the submit button! I think a course on self pubbing will be a popular topic for that age group. Good for you. Let me suggest you take it one step further and offer it online, perhaps in a podcast or a condensed version of 4 videos of 30 minutes each. Great for marketing your books! Yes, I’m a teacher. Notice I say I am, not I was, because you never get that teacher out of you. Of course, teaching is in my genes since my grandmother and mother were teachers too. I taught third grade for five years (summer school too!), taught floral design classes when we had the shop, and presented many workshops on creative writing and writing life stories for adult ed programs. (I’m thinking of doing a video series on writing life stories–have been thinking of it for 3 years, but…) Encouraging people to write or record a few stories is my passion. Even if the school doesn’t want the program, think about doing it via Internet or even writing a non-fiction Kindle guide. Wishing you all the best in this venture!!
Hey, JQ. You are such an inspiration. I’d never consider doing a pod cast or video. I’m pretty good on camera (she says with a blush), but I wouldn’t know where to begin to do this. Whether I get selected or not, I’ll give this a thought. Would need lots of help, friend. 🙂 Maybe between you and Jo-Ann Carson, I could do something like that. Life-long learner am I. Like you I should say I “am: a teacher. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. Your ideas are awesome. 🙂 PS. I took a Radio/TV/Film class while getting my masters at TCU and loved it. Then when I served on the school board, after the first couple of years, the district began filming our meetings. It was interesting to watch and those two experiences are why I made the earlier one about doing pretty well. LOL
I hope you are accepted. I know you’ll do a great job and have fun.
It’s been many years since I taught in a classroom, but I’ve never quite stopped teaching–training horses, creating instructional material and videos for the CA Quadrille Assoc., and of course teaching my kids. I recently volunteered to be a Writing Coach at a local high school. More of an “encouraging” role than teaching. Do it for the first time next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Hey, Kate. Interesting how many writers have former teacher lives. How lucky the high school kids are to have you in their class. Know you’ll be great. Can’t wait to hear an update on your experience. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Marsha R. West, Author 
Hey, Marsha – If you do the course, I’d like to take it, schedule permitting. Self-publishing is an arcane but fascinating subject. I’d really like to know more about it. -Dan
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I’ll be certain to let you know, Dan. Listen if I can learn to do it anyone can. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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Hi Marsha,
I think your course will greatly enrich your community and I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences. Thanks for the shout out.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
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Hey, Jo-Ann, Of course. We all help each other out. Maybe that’s from our teaching backgrounds. Hope I get to do this. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and stopping by.
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How awesome! I know you would love teaching the class & anyone who takes would learn a lot. Time to jump back into the teaching fray – ❤
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Hey, Julie. I guess it’s once a teacher always a teacher. 🙂 We had some good times teaching the PTA Leadership Training. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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I used to teach freelance magazine writing courses for their extended education program. You’ll have a great time.
Do I still teach? ALL the time–one thing or another. If you’re a teacher in your soul, you’ll always teach something whether you realize it in the moment or not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Renee. Well, I know you did a super job. And yes, we are always teachers. I hope I get to do this. It will take a lot of work, but will be lots of fun. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 Marsha
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Hi Marsha, that’s great that you applied for this job. You have so much experience now and I bet you’re a really engaging teacher! If only I lived nearer I would love to take a course like this. Super idea of your old college. Best of luck with it. They’d be mad not to snap you up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HEy, Helena.Thanks for your vote of confidence. Can I use you for a reference? LOL The thing is, I’m not an expert. I’m sure there’ll be questions I don’t know the answers too. However, that very fact makes me perfect person to teach the course. If I can do this, then anyone can. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and all your support. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on hitting the submit button! I think a course on self pubbing will be a popular topic for that age group. Good for you. Let me suggest you take it one step further and offer it online, perhaps in a podcast or a condensed version of 4 videos of 30 minutes each. Great for marketing your books! Yes, I’m a teacher. Notice I say I am, not I was, because you never get that teacher out of you. Of course, teaching is in my genes since my grandmother and mother were teachers too. I taught third grade for five years (summer school too!), taught floral design classes when we had the shop, and presented many workshops on creative writing and writing life stories for adult ed programs. (I’m thinking of doing a video series on writing life stories–have been thinking of it for 3 years, but…) Encouraging people to write or record a few stories is my passion. Even if the school doesn’t want the program, think about doing it via Internet or even writing a non-fiction Kindle guide. Wishing you all the best in this venture!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, JQ. You are such an inspiration. I’d never consider doing a pod cast or video. I’m pretty good on camera (she says with a blush), but I wouldn’t know where to begin to do this. Whether I get selected or not, I’ll give this a thought. Would need lots of help, friend. 🙂 Maybe between you and Jo-Ann Carson, I could do something like that. Life-long learner am I. Like you I should say I “am: a teacher. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. Your ideas are awesome. 🙂 PS. I took a Radio/TV/Film class while getting my masters at TCU and loved it. Then when I served on the school board, after the first couple of years, the district began filming our meetings. It was interesting to watch and those two experiences are why I made the earlier one about doing pretty well. LOL
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I hope you are accepted. I know you’ll do a great job and have fun.
It’s been many years since I taught in a classroom, but I’ve never quite stopped teaching–training horses, creating instructional material and videos for the CA Quadrille Assoc., and of course teaching my kids. I recently volunteered to be a Writing Coach at a local high school. More of an “encouraging” role than teaching. Do it for the first time next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Kate. Interesting how many writers have former teacher lives. How lucky the high school kids are to have you in their class. Know you’ll be great. Can’t wait to hear an update on your experience. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLike