Writing workshops

[vaneramos]

I am considering taking an online creative writing workshop. The idea came up when I noticed that Writer's Digest offers Writers Online Workshops, including a variety of six-week and twelve-week courses. Maybe it would put a few new tools in my box. I can't afford it, but Dad offered to cover the tuition, so now I just have to decide.

Writer's Digest seems like a creditable source, but does anyone have another suggestion, advice, criticism or personal experience?

The other question is more difficult. Should I concentrate on poetry or fiction? Admittedly this is a loaded question; like which is more hopeless and stupid, my fiction or poetry? Lately I've been concentrating on writing poetry, but fiction writing has been the stronger thread throughout my life, and I will have more regrets about neglecting it. I feel more blocked about writing fiction, and my first reason for taking a course would be the hope that structure and feedback will bring some progress. On the other hand I am pursuing some specific goals in my poetry just now, and perhaps a workshop would bring some polish to the effort.

If any of you writers and readers have thoughts or insights on this question, I would be happy to read them.