by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal
Jan 7, 2009
Did you ever yearn to write your own romance novel? Students in a recent Club Ed class learned what it really takes to top the bestseller list from successful novelist Mara Fox.
The Harlequin Romance writer lives in Fredericksburg, and spent a few sessions unveiling the secrets behind her first novel I Shocked The Sheriff.
Unlike the faces of many romance heroines, Fox's basic message was unvarnished and stark.
"If you are writing for yourself, self publishing is fairly easy and inexpensive, and you can have a stack of beautiful books for family and friends," Fox said. "But if you want your book in bookshops, you have to do what the publisher wants."
In other words, you have to compromise the "book of your heart" so it "their book."
Fox has had students disagree strongly with that advice, but she points out that her message has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. It is all about creating a saleable product, and to achieve that you must follow certain guidelines.
"The publishers have to be as happy with your product as you are," she said.
At the same time, Fox counsels that authors stand up for their beliefs when dealing with the book market. In her first novel, her heroine was a recovering alcoholic. The editor questioned having that character trait in the main character, but Fox convinced her that the entire book was based on it. There were other details she ended up changing, but she held firm on what became the key to the novel.
Over the years at Club Ed we have noticed a passionate interest in writing among students. Fox believes that is because writing is "closer to thought" than music or art.
"Writing is so personal," she said. "Everything I write involve issues I am dealing with. I think writers are the most vulnerable people in the world, because they want people to know them but don't know how to let people know them."
As a result, she believes the most successful authors are those unafraid to reveal the truth about themselves.
"A great author's book is so gripping because she puts so much of herself in it," she said. "That what makes it fabulous, but it also makes it so risky for the writer."
I have heard the quote that writing is easy - you just sit down and open a vein. Fox would agree.
"Writing," said Fox, "is one of most personal things we do as human beings."
XXX
Club Ed is offering a series of courses on How to Write, Market, and Publish your book in Boerne and Fredericksburg in April. Our Spring 2009 catalog is now online! Visit www.clubed.net to sign up, or call 830-895-4386. Catalogs will be mailed by January 1.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The girl wants to dance
by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal
Dec 17, 2008
"Phil, I want to learn how to dance."
A lovely lady named "Carolyn" started our phone conversation with that simple statement. She had called the right place. I had heard the same lament from quite a few of our hill country neighbors before.
That is because Club Ed has helped literally hundreds of couples learn to two-step, rumba and waltz across Texas. In fact dance classes are the most attended and first-filled in every community education program in the world.
"So you want to learn how to dance," I replied. "May I ask why?" I am always curious what motivates folks to finally step up and take a class.
Carolyn, who is now a grandmother, had several answers. She wanted to surprise her family. It was good exercise. But her most compelling reason was this: "It is just something I want to do."
I found it interesting that Carolyn had never learned to dance growing up in west Texas, home of Ernest Tubb, Buddy Holly, and Waylon Jennings. She explained how a strict upbringing precluded access to some of the baser pleasures of life on the plains.
"I never smoked; I never drank," she said. "And I know it is kind of late in life to learn to dance, but I am going to."
One advantage Carolyn carries in her tool box is her love for music, especially old country music. She mentioned Eddie Arnold and Marty Robbins. Perfect for the country two-step.
Carolyn has one handicap though: "I am kind of bashful about getting up in front of people," she said. "So anything I do, I want to do it right."
This spring she can choose from a smorgasbord of dance styles. Club Ed is offering rumba, tango, ballroom, waltz, cha cha, and belly dance. For someone with Carolyn's love for country music, she might start with country and western.
Whichever dance she chooses, here's hoping she gets off on the right foot. With luck, she will never have to relive a wistful memory that she shared before hanging up.
She remembered a night when a handsome gentleman asked her to dance. Carolyn panicked, because she didn't know the steps. She had to walk away, although she did so regretfully.
"I didn't waltz, because I didn't know how," she recalled. "I suppose he would have made me look good if I just hung on and picked up my feet. But I want to try this the right way, so I'm just going to do it!"
I know we'll see her in class.
XXX
Our Spring 2009 catalog is now online! Visit www.clubed.net to sign up, or call 830-895-4386. Catalogs will be mailed by January 1.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 local classes, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Dec 17, 2008
"Phil, I want to learn how to dance."
A lovely lady named "Carolyn" started our phone conversation with that simple statement. She had called the right place. I had heard the same lament from quite a few of our hill country neighbors before.
That is because Club Ed has helped literally hundreds of couples learn to two-step, rumba and waltz across Texas. In fact dance classes are the most attended and first-filled in every community education program in the world.
"So you want to learn how to dance," I replied. "May I ask why?" I am always curious what motivates folks to finally step up and take a class.
Carolyn, who is now a grandmother, had several answers. She wanted to surprise her family. It was good exercise. But her most compelling reason was this: "It is just something I want to do."
I found it interesting that Carolyn had never learned to dance growing up in west Texas, home of Ernest Tubb, Buddy Holly, and Waylon Jennings. She explained how a strict upbringing precluded access to some of the baser pleasures of life on the plains.
"I never smoked; I never drank," she said. "And I know it is kind of late in life to learn to dance, but I am going to."
One advantage Carolyn carries in her tool box is her love for music, especially old country music. She mentioned Eddie Arnold and Marty Robbins. Perfect for the country two-step.
Carolyn has one handicap though: "I am kind of bashful about getting up in front of people," she said. "So anything I do, I want to do it right."
This spring she can choose from a smorgasbord of dance styles. Club Ed is offering rumba, tango, ballroom, waltz, cha cha, and belly dance. For someone with Carolyn's love for country music, she might start with country and western.
Whichever dance she chooses, here's hoping she gets off on the right foot. With luck, she will never have to relive a wistful memory that she shared before hanging up.
She remembered a night when a handsome gentleman asked her to dance. Carolyn panicked, because she didn't know the steps. She had to walk away, although she did so regretfully.
"I didn't waltz, because I didn't know how," she recalled. "I suppose he would have made me look good if I just hung on and picked up my feet. But I want to try this the right way, so I'm just going to do it!"
I know we'll see her in class.
XXX
Our Spring 2009 catalog is now online! Visit www.clubed.net to sign up, or call 830-895-4386. Catalogs will be mailed by January 1.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 local classes, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Driven to play guitar
by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal
Dec 24, 2008
She had never played an instrument and could not read music. But five years ago she bought a guitar and vowed to learn it.
After a few attempts to teach herself, she put the guitar back in its case.
"I tried to learn it on my own," she said. "But it just didn't work. Now I finally have time to take some lessons."
Out came the guitar again, and Jennifer Hudson signed up for Derek Baker's guitar class through Club Ed. She went to great lengths - literally. The class was held in Boerne, and Jessica lives west of Kerrville. Twice a week she made the 100-mile round trip to join Baker and his 23 adult beginner guitar players.
You have to ask if it was worth it?
"Derek Baker is a fabulous teacher - probably the most positive person I know," she said. "He is very encouraging, and always was pointing out how far we have come, how much we have learned, and showing us how great we are going to become."
The 23 students in this particular class worked so well together, they actually started practicing together on their own one day a week outside of class. Hudson welcomed this development, given her previous experience trying to practice on her own.
The group ranged in age from 12 to late 60s. But they were all basic beginners.
Baker's teaching approach is to build a strong foundation. He teaches chords and scales as well as theory. Hudson especially appreciated the way he pushed everyone to get a bit of performance experience.
"He had us play in casual settings such as at a church picnic," she noted. "I was probably the most nervous person. But I learned that if you make a mistake you just smile and keep going."
Their repertoire reflected a range as wide as the ages of the students. This class learned tunes from classic John Denver and praise music to Freebird and Margaritaville.
Baker wrapped up his lessons by teaching lead riffs and bar chords - which as any beginning guitar player knows are not easy to learn.
"He won't let us take the easy way out," Hudson said of Baker's teaching techniques. "He is teaching us the hard stuff to help us be better players."
So it's challenging, it's a long drive, and it eats up two nights a week. Why does Hudson do it?
"Number one it's fun," she replied. "His teaching style makes it so anybody can learn to do it. He starts with basics, then builds from there. You will be surprised how fast you learn."
It is definitely worth the drive
XXX
Club Ed will offer guitar in Boerne and in Kerrville in the Spring 2009 session. The catalog is now online at www.clubed.net, with copies to be mailed after Christmas. Call 830-895-4386 for information.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Dec 24, 2008
She had never played an instrument and could not read music. But five years ago she bought a guitar and vowed to learn it.
After a few attempts to teach herself, she put the guitar back in its case.
"I tried to learn it on my own," she said. "But it just didn't work. Now I finally have time to take some lessons."
Out came the guitar again, and Jennifer Hudson signed up for Derek Baker's guitar class through Club Ed. She went to great lengths - literally. The class was held in Boerne, and Jessica lives west of Kerrville. Twice a week she made the 100-mile round trip to join Baker and his 23 adult beginner guitar players.
You have to ask if it was worth it?
"Derek Baker is a fabulous teacher - probably the most positive person I know," she said. "He is very encouraging, and always was pointing out how far we have come, how much we have learned, and showing us how great we are going to become."
The 23 students in this particular class worked so well together, they actually started practicing together on their own one day a week outside of class. Hudson welcomed this development, given her previous experience trying to practice on her own.
The group ranged in age from 12 to late 60s. But they were all basic beginners.
Baker's teaching approach is to build a strong foundation. He teaches chords and scales as well as theory. Hudson especially appreciated the way he pushed everyone to get a bit of performance experience.
"He had us play in casual settings such as at a church picnic," she noted. "I was probably the most nervous person. But I learned that if you make a mistake you just smile and keep going."
Their repertoire reflected a range as wide as the ages of the students. This class learned tunes from classic John Denver and praise music to Freebird and Margaritaville.
Baker wrapped up his lessons by teaching lead riffs and bar chords - which as any beginning guitar player knows are not easy to learn.
"He won't let us take the easy way out," Hudson said of Baker's teaching techniques. "He is teaching us the hard stuff to help us be better players."
So it's challenging, it's a long drive, and it eats up two nights a week. Why does Hudson do it?
"Number one it's fun," she replied. "His teaching style makes it so anybody can learn to do it. He starts with basics, then builds from there. You will be surprised how fast you learn."
It is definitely worth the drive
XXX
Club Ed will offer guitar in Boerne and in Kerrville in the Spring 2009 session. The catalog is now online at www.clubed.net, with copies to be mailed after Christmas. Call 830-895-4386 for information.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Friday, December 12, 2008
One Reluctant Learner
by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal
Dec 10, 2008
You would think a lifelong teacher would understand the importance of lifelong learning.
Yet when "Patty" - a teacher for 30 years - retired to the hill country, she pretty much retired from life.
"I became a recluse," she said. "After spending so many hours a day teaching, to go from that to doing nothing was not stimulating."
Patty is naturally shy, and has a high anxiety level, so it took a neighbor to convince her to try a Club Ed writing course.
"Because I am a teacher with a masters degree, and had spent a lot of years learning, this seemed natural to be able to come back. I told my neighbor on that first day in class that I did not want to be forced to do something. I wanted to relax, and be stimulated on my own without any competitive sensation."
So Patty walked into the Auld Center and carefully took her seat. What happened next transformed her.
"One of my first assignments was to write about my husband and me. The teacher asked if I could share it with 'Bill.'" Patty was not sure how he would feel about it, but reluctantly allowed him to read it. "When he finished, he told me it was very good. That gave me confidence."
Patty's next assignment was about another experience. "The teacher told me if I wrote it down, I would get rid of holding it inside." She wrote it. When she read it, she cried. "My instructor was right," Patty said. "Something hit my inner core. After that, I said OK, it's over. I don't have to carry that around anymore."
Patty's personal experience in her first class gave her the confidence to explore more. Her husband supports her endeavors.
"When we got back to town this fall, we got this Club Ed catalog in the mail," Patty said. "My husband gave it to me and said, see what you can find, because last year you were a totally different person when taking that course."
So Patty has taken an art class, a singing class, and was back last session to sign up for her first dance class.
She still feels anxiety; she still has to make an effort to stop "putzing around the house."
"I think the way I got back into it is to find somebody who can go with you, then you are more apt to do it," she said. "I'm really stepping out on my own. It's exciting.
For Patty, the perfect metaphor for lifelong learning lies in the singing class she took.
"I admired people who were in the choir, but I was content to sing at my seat," she said. "When I sing there, I feel good about it. But, I feel I would love to be heard."
Club Ed lets Patty sing.
XXX
The Spring 2009 catalogs will be mailed the week after Christmas. Classes will be posted online at www.clubed.net beginning Dec 15. Or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 300 classes with 3000 enrollments, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Dec 10, 2008
You would think a lifelong teacher would understand the importance of lifelong learning.
Yet when "Patty" - a teacher for 30 years - retired to the hill country, she pretty much retired from life.
"I became a recluse," she said. "After spending so many hours a day teaching, to go from that to doing nothing was not stimulating."
Patty is naturally shy, and has a high anxiety level, so it took a neighbor to convince her to try a Club Ed writing course.
"Because I am a teacher with a masters degree, and had spent a lot of years learning, this seemed natural to be able to come back. I told my neighbor on that first day in class that I did not want to be forced to do something. I wanted to relax, and be stimulated on my own without any competitive sensation."
So Patty walked into the Auld Center and carefully took her seat. What happened next transformed her.
"One of my first assignments was to write about my husband and me. The teacher asked if I could share it with 'Bill.'" Patty was not sure how he would feel about it, but reluctantly allowed him to read it. "When he finished, he told me it was very good. That gave me confidence."
Patty's next assignment was about another experience. "The teacher told me if I wrote it down, I would get rid of holding it inside." She wrote it. When she read it, she cried. "My instructor was right," Patty said. "Something hit my inner core. After that, I said OK, it's over. I don't have to carry that around anymore."
Patty's personal experience in her first class gave her the confidence to explore more. Her husband supports her endeavors.
"When we got back to town this fall, we got this Club Ed catalog in the mail," Patty said. "My husband gave it to me and said, see what you can find, because last year you were a totally different person when taking that course."
So Patty has taken an art class, a singing class, and was back last session to sign up for her first dance class.
She still feels anxiety; she still has to make an effort to stop "putzing around the house."
"I think the way I got back into it is to find somebody who can go with you, then you are more apt to do it," she said. "I'm really stepping out on my own. It's exciting.
For Patty, the perfect metaphor for lifelong learning lies in the singing class she took.
"I admired people who were in the choir, but I was content to sing at my seat," she said. "When I sing there, I feel good about it. But, I feel I would love to be heard."
Club Ed lets Patty sing.
XXX
The Spring 2009 catalogs will be mailed the week after Christmas. Classes will be posted online at www.clubed.net beginning Dec 15. Or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 300 classes with 3000 enrollments, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Community Education is all you need
by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal
Dec 3, 2008
"All I ever need to know I learned from community education."
This bold statement was made by Bill Hoelscher, who was thrust into running a community education program while working at a small school district in south Texas. He then moved on to managing a nonprofit organization. One afternoon, as he stared at stacks of papers on his desk that all demanded immediate attention - from the quarterly report, to writing a grant, to planning the dreaded fundraiser he had been stuck with because he was the new guy - Bill had his epiphany. He realized he could use the lessons he learned as a community educator. As he writes:
My hope is that these lessons may guide you as you go about your daily business. Bill finished his musings with a quote from the Chinese philosopher Guanzi: “When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people."
See you in class.
XXX
The Spring 2009 catalogs will be mailed the week after Christmas. Classes will be posted online at www.clubed.net beginning Dec 15. Or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 300 classes with 3000 enrollments, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
Dec 3, 2008
"All I ever need to know I learned from community education."
This bold statement was made by Bill Hoelscher, who was thrust into running a community education program while working at a small school district in south Texas. He then moved on to managing a nonprofit organization. One afternoon, as he stared at stacks of papers on his desk that all demanded immediate attention - from the quarterly report, to writing a grant, to planning the dreaded fundraiser he had been stuck with because he was the new guy - Bill had his epiphany. He realized he could use the lessons he learned as a community educator. As he writes:
1. If you don’t know, ask. Our peers are the greatest resources. I have yet to meet anyone in community education who did not want to share ideas or was not willing to reach out and assist someone else in being successful.
2. Try it. If it doesn’t work, so what, you learned something. The worst thing that can happen is that you look for a new way to be successful and to serve your community.
3. Plan for every contingency, and know that something will always go wrong. Despite covering every angle, you cannot control the weather or other people. So when something doesn’t work the way you planned, most people won’t know and won’t care. They will be too busy having fun and there is no need to tell the differently.
Fortified by this knowledge, I started diving into my piles. I knew that if I could create a successful evening for parents and kids, with little more then pipe cleaners, glue and felt scraps, I could do anything.
The community educator is the greatest resource in our communities. I make this bold statement with true sincerity. If not for the opportunities we provide, who will teach that senior how to use e-mail and stay in touch with a changing world; who will create a safe and nurturing environment for youth, during out of school hours; who will educate the disenfranchised who have difficulty in reading and writing; who will give the unemployed a boost by helping them learn new skills; who will create an environment, where someone can meet and make new friends, rather then spending another night sitting alone? We keep people connected and we keep them relevant.
That is why I am now looking at a clean desk and am about to go home for the night, knowing that as a community educator, I can do anything.
My hope is that these lessons may guide you as you go about your daily business. Bill finished his musings with a quote from the Chinese philosopher Guanzi: “When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people."
See you in class.
XXX
The Spring 2009 catalogs will be mailed the week after Christmas. Classes will be posted online at www.clubed.net beginning Dec 15. Or call 830-895-4386.
Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 300 classes with 3000 enrollments, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.
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