Robin:
You wrote: " On the writing class: Do you think it is better to go to an actual class or would I get just as much out of an online class. I've been pondering this for awhile."
"REAL" CLASSROOMS AND ONLINE OFFER DIFFERENT ADVANTAGES. THE DANGERS TO ONLINE AS I SEE IT IS THAT 1. THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE "TEACHING" ONLINE WHO ARE ILL EQUIPPED TO DO SO (PUBLISHING A BOOK DOES NOT MEAN ONE IS AN EXPERT ON STRUCTURE, AS AN EXAMPLE). IF YOU DECIDE TO GO THE ONLIN ROUTE, STUDY THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE TEACHER AND THE SPONSORING SITE/SCHOOL THOROUGHLY. IT'S BETTER TO PAY MORE TO GET GREAT TRAINING IF NECESSARY.
2. ONLINE COURSES DON'T USUALLY HELP YOU SET UP A QUALIFIED CRITIQUE GROUP IN YOUR AREA. IT MAY, HELP YOU WITH A GOOD ONLINE ONE, THOUGH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I'D RATHER HAVE AN ONLINE CLASS TAUGHT BY A GREAT WRITER/TEACHER THAN A LOCAL ONE TAUGHT BY SOMEONE WHO CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THE VERB "TO LIE." JUST BE CAREFUL WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE!

ROBIN ALSO SAID, "Also (sorry I have a lot of questions) What do you think of writers groups? Is it worthwhile for me, as a beginner, to join one? I just recently became aware of the North Carolina Writers Group and was thinking of joining. (I've recently moved here)" I'M NOT SURE IF YOU MEAN WRITERS' CRITIQUE GROUPS HERE. IF SO, THEY CAN BE FANTASTIC. DO CONSIDER THE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERTISE OF ANYONE--FELLOW AUTHOR OR TEACHER--WHO OFFERS YOU ADVICE. ONLINE, IN A WRITERS GROUP OR ELSEWHERE. THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT A PERSON WHOSE "ONLY" QUALIFICATION IS THAT THEY ARE A READER ARE TO BE IGNORE. IT'S JUST THAT YOU WOULD EVALUATE HER COMMENTS DIFFERENTLY.
c.