Back in high school, I used to dream I'd showed up for class dressed only in my underwear. There I stood in the hallway wearing only my bra and panties. All the other students stared at me, pointing and laughing. I was so embarrassed I didn't want to go to school the next day, even if it was just a dream.

Now, I can go to class dressed in my underwear and no one's going to laugh, because no one's going to know what I'm wearing. How can this be? Because these classes take place online and the only people who are going to see me are those who I live with and, unfortunately for them, they've seen it all before.

Since joining RWA last March, I've also joined several local and on-line chapters. One of the reasons for joining an on-line chapter is pretty simple -- I get to take the classes they offer for a cheaper price if I'm a member. And since last May, I've taken many on-line classes.

The likelihood of having been in a regular classroom with any of these instructors, let alone all of them, is very small indeed.

There are certain advantages to taking a class on-line as opposed to a local college or in a writing workshop.

1). The classes come to me in an e-mail, meaning I don't have to be at a certain place, at a certain time. And yes, I can show up in my underwear if I want to.

2). I can choose how much or how little I participate in the class. I can choose NOT to do the homework, because grades aren't given. If something happens in my life that does not allow me to participate fully, I simply cut and paste or print out the day's assignment and then review at my leisure.

3). They are cheap. The classes usually run between $10.00 to $25.00 and in some cases, my membership in the chapter allows me to get a class for free.

4). There are a large number of participants. I have found that following the participation of others to be very beneficial. Both student and teacher will post comments and suggestions, which allows me to reap the benefit of another's questions, confusion or answers.

5). If not for the chance to take classes on-line, I would not ever have had the benefit of learning from such a wide range of people. My instructors have come from a cross section of the country and have included both published and pre-published authors. I have been taught by an English major, a family therapist, a business PhD, a History major and an advertising copywriter, to name a few. The likelihood of having been in a regular classroom with any of these instructors, let alone all of them, is very small indeed.

6). I have a greater opportunity to take classes in a variety of subjects. No local college or group could possibly offer the wide choice of specialty classes I've found on-line. I have taken classes on synopsis, dialog, Goals, Motivation and Conflict, Regency Era life in England, how to empower your character's emotions through your writing, how to do research, how to find an agent, grammar and many more.

I have found these classes to be very beneficial. I had no idea how to write a gripping, attention grabbing synopsis or query letter before I took classes on it. I learned more about Regency life than I ever thought I would possibly want to know, but am very grateful for the teacher who shared her knowledge. When I get around to writing that Regency book I plan to write someday, I will have plenty of material to fall back on and will know my facts are accurate. Several of the classes have taught me how to tighten my writing, how to grab the reader's attention, how to make my story more interesting. I never would have learned this stuff on my own. The grammar classes I've taken were a big help.I did not like grammar in school, and even if I had, it's been more years than I want to count since I took it. They have been great refresher courses which enabled me to see that I'm not as stupid as I think I is. (oh, come on, how could I resist that?)

The groups I have taken classes from are: heartsthroughhistory.com, ahintofseduction.com, rwamysterysuspense.org (Kiss of Death RWA), lowcountryrwa.com, and oirw.org (Outreach International RWA).

All of the above listed sites have pages where you can find information about their up and coming classes. In addition, many of the loops usually post e-mails on workshops offered by these groups and others.

Some things I consider when deciding about taking a class are: the cost, the credentials of the teacher, if it's a topic to be of use to me, and whether or not I have time for the class (which includes--is it a highly interactive class or is it more of a lecture class?).

If you've never taken a class on-line, I urge you to find one that you think will benefit your writing and take it. It's as easy as booting up your computer and clicking on your e-mail.

Melinda Porter, a member of HBA-RWA, NWH-RWA, Outreach International RWA, membership chair for Hearts Through History RWA as well as president of Bay Area Writers League, writes Historical and contemporaries romances. Her current work in progress, EMMA'S HEART, is set in 1883 Denver, Colorado.

Copyright © 2005 Melinda Porter. All rights reserved. Used with permission.