First, got 1087 words on Create A World Clinic yesterday, so hit my mark. 😀
I’m now doing two things: Mornings, I’m writing “World”. Afternoons, I’m putting together the new version of How To Think Sideways, which will be Ultra.
The BIG NEWS For Grads and Current Students of How To Think Sideways LEGACY Version
You folks have stuck with me for years. Your loyalty got me through hard times, your emails made me laugh (and occasionally cry), your Eureka moments made bad days into good one, and your progress and accomplishments thrill me. I appreciate you.
When How To Think Sideways ULTRA goes LIVE, I’m putting you into the new classroom (with Margaret’s technical wizardry) with no upgrade fee, no extra charges…nothing. You’ll get everything in the new formats, plus you’ll get all the new materials, the new surprise, and anything else I can think of to put in there. THANK YOU.
BONUSES for Think Sideways Direct and Think Sideways Premium Students
The software Margaret built for me is COOL.
If you’re an HTTS DIRECT student, why do you care?
Because it means if you already own all the lessons (or own enough that you’d prefer to Bring Your Own Lessons [BYOL]), you’ll be able to upgrade to the BYOL version How To Think Sideways ULTRA and not be charged for them a second time. This is something the old software could never have done.
But what about if you’re an HTTS Premium Student?
You’ll ALSO be able to subtract your Premium membership from the cost of your upgrade to ULTRA. (Again, new software lets me do much more for my students).
What’s NEXT?
I’m going to be asking HTTS Grads (who know what the old versions included), what do you still need to know?
And I’m going to be asking current students and folks considering the course, what do you need to know?
We’ll be talking about a new (additional) bonus course, your ideas, wishes, dreams, and hopes…
And before the course goes live, I’ll let you in on the surprise.
But today I just wanted all of you who took the course, or are taking it, than when ULTRA debuts, I’ve got you covered.
“What Happens If I Don’t Upgrade?”
Apparently there’s been some concern that folks who don’t upgrade will lose their boards, or their access, or…
No. I don’t DO that to people. If you don’t upgrade, absolutely nothing will change. You’ll have exactly what you had before. 😀
I am SO looking forward to the new course. I’ve been saving up my pennies for something wonderful, and I have a feeling this is it. Thanks for all your hard work, Holly.
I am saving for both Create a world and write a series and saving up to buy the full novel revision course as well as dialogue and subtext. I have a learned a lot fro these classes
Wow Holly. You have always been generous with your time and information. Thank you and I am so glad to be a part of your community.
Holly, you’ve always been the most capable and concerned teacher and this goes over the top. You care about your students and it shows. Thank you.
When do I start the 7 day crash revision??
Thank you Holly. Your material has saved my bacon many times over. I appreciate you doing this more than you know.
Thank you so much, Holly! I’m a legacy HTTS and HTRYN and I’m excited to see the new editions! Thank you for helping me improve my storytelling!
Awesome news! I’m really looking forward to HTTS Ultra. The Direct version is great, don’t get me wrong, but I really prefer the extra discipline that come with a more structured, classroom-like approach to the course.
I really loved the HTTS WalkThrough that you started. I think I saw posts through Lesson 10 or so, and then there was a hiatus. If I remember, it was around the time that you were dealing with the severe migraines, which I hope are better now.
Do you have any plans to finish up the HTTS WalkThrough? That and the Create a World Clinic are my two dream wishes. I’m amazed at all you do for your students and count myself lucky to be among them!
Thanks Holly!
Hi, Christine,
I’ll bring the course back with the existing WALKTHROUGH Lessons in place.
I’m then doing the six HOW TO WRITE A SERIES Extensions, because they won’t be quite the production each Walkthrough episode is, so I can finish them well in less time.
THEN I’ll come back to HTTS (which will be getting some other cool stuff in the meantime — and I hint here again at the surprise) and do the rest of the WALKTHROUGH, including Walkthroughs for the Self-Pub lessons.
Back when the icepick migraines started, we were pretty sure I had either a brain aneurysm or a brain tumor.
It took a while to see a neurologist take the tests to be sure that I didn’t.
I still have the migraines, and they’re still bad. I have, however, gotten better at working through all but the worst of them.
And I’m delighted you’re finding the courses helpful. World Clinic and at least a good chunk of the Walkthrough happen this year. 😀
Great. I’m a HTTS legacy student, and look forwards to learning more. Thanks Holly.
Wow Holly,
cool! I’m HTTS and HTRYN student – how do I know if I’m ultra or premium or …?
Cheers
If you bought HTTS in the ORIGINAL classroom version, you’re automatically ULTRA.
PREMIUM is the boards-plus-videos/handouts upgrade for folks buying lessons one at a time. PREMIUM folks will get an enormous discount, but not the automatic upgrade.
Thank you so much, this is great! I’ve been thinking I’d like to retake the course as a refresher and this would be the perfect opportunity to do so.
You’re awesome, Holly. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ll never know.
I just want to say, I’m thrilled to be in whatever class you put me in. I am currently using the Create a Culture/Language/Characters book to help me develop a book that was in my head. Your insights make writing enjoyable and fun, while absolutely still challenging me to try to create the best story (at this point in my life) possible. Thank you again for writing such great books. Better than my Master’s Degree could ever hope to stand next too…what a waste of 90K. 🙂
Wow. Thank you. I’m a legacy HTTS student and am thrilled that I will be able to benefit from your generosity.
Holly, you are absolutely awesome. I never imagined when I stumbled across Create a Character Clinic seven years ago that had discovered the first of so many amazing writing courses, and a writer who I consider a role model. Thank you for sharing all that you know, and I can’t wait to see what new things are in store.
Hi Holly.
Your courses have helped me in more ways than you know. HTTS and HTRYN pulled me from a fairly bad depression and helped me write again – and ENJOY writing again – and get my books to the best they can be. Many, many thanks for what you do, and thank you to your family for allowing you to take so much time from them for us. As a legacy member, I look forward to the new stuff you’re going to put into HTTS – it’s just getting better and better.
Wow, this is great. That you’ll let us legacy students in on the new fun is truly generous. Anxious to hear about the “surprise.” Can’t wait!
I have purchased all of the HTTS lessons and forums, but have not completed them, so you might have already covered this in the lessons.
What happens when a library purchases a book for circulation? Does the author get compensation for one book sold… or does “extra” money go to the author because of “multiple reads”? How does that work? Just curious.
Just a question. Holly I have been “with” you for years but never had the money to purchase your bigger courses. I bout the “payment plan” option about a year or so ago. The one that you paid something like $5 per month for 6 months or something like that. Unfortunately I haven’t had the time to really get in here and work on my novels. So my question is I don’t understand what I have and what I don’t for what I paid. And with this new change, does that mean I’m out?
Thanks for everything you do. I have one novel I have written but needs to be revised and another that I’m stuck on and haven’t finished writing. I know you have courses for both (though I haven’t figured out which ones would be best yet) but I guess my biggest problem is finding the time and the confidence, let alone the money to work on either of them.
Thanks again,
Nycole Crow
Hi, Nycole,
From the payment plan you describe, that would be Lifetime Short Courses. You’re definitely NOT out. You still have full access to the Short Courses boards, and will have the new classrooms when I set them up. (There’s gonna be a wait on that. But I know what I’m going to do to make them cool—and the folks who are Lifetime Short Courses folks will, of course, be comped in. :D)
And I’ve heard that there’s some confusion about what happens if folks DON’T UPGRADE, so let me answer that here as well.
Absolutely nothing. You keep whatever you had before. It will continue to work, nothing goes away.
I don’t DO that to people.
I am a HTTS legacy student. Huge thanks!!!!
I don’t often do this, I bought each lesson from Barnes and Noble, but many of them helped me. Right now I can’t afford revise your novel or the seven day crash course but I am looking into that one. My trouble is, the novel I used lesson 25-27 of HTTS I outlined and wrote by a different method, I had not discovered you yet, does revision work when a novel was not written by scenes?
Otherwise, your courses did help me fix the novel, remove passive voice and helped nail down the other projects I’m working on, the Sentence helped greatly, thanks you.
I plan to buy the revision crash course when I can.
Kate
Hi, Kate,
There is no such thing as an UNFIXABLE novel.
However, sometimes the fix is hard, and if you didn’t write it in scenes, revising it INTO scenes will be part of the fix.
Cheerfully,
Holly
That makes me feel better, thank you.
THANK YOU. I love HTRYN so far, it is FANTASTIC. (Yes, I am capscreaming that)
Something I haven’t said is that I first took your HTRYN and I can’t believe how much my writing has improved. My novel is currently in Amazon contest but if it gets kicked out then it goes out to a professional editor. That being said it is a much better novel. I added another 20,000 words, so as to develop my characters, but it was your course that helped me make it better. Is it the best that I’m going to write, no, but it has led me down the right path.
Thanks,
Thom
Holly,
Thanks for this! You are an amazing mentor-teacher, and an inspirational author.
Wow! Thank you, Holly! I am such a satisfied customer of both HTRYN and HTTS (haven’t finished either course, but am slowly going through them) and just wanted to say thank you for providing such incredible support for these courses.
I recommend both of them to everyone all the time!
Thank you!
Trish
Just popped in here to say – WOW! I own every single one of your courses and I look forward to seeing Create a World and what cool things you’re offering in Ultra.
yay- this is wonderful news
thank you!!
Hi Holly…
I’m in the HTTS course. I have NEVER been able to download the course…I’ve merely printed to lesson eight and then gave up (too much time and ink). I have emailed more times than I can count to get help, but no response. I have chalked the tuition I paid as a loss. I really wanted to complete the course.
I know you are busy and have a slew of students, but you might want to consider a better customer service route. The one you have is very poor indeed.
Taylor Fulks
Author~ My Prison Without Bars
Hi, Taylor,
I have a STUDENT SUPPORT link on every single page of every site I own.
ALL OF THEM go to my Student Support, which I handle myself, and which I answer as quickly as I can. I had too many student support emails get lost in the students’ spam blockers or their failures to whitelist e-mails from me. And I got too much email spam to find and respond to real issues in a timely fashion.
All emails to me autorespond instantly with the link to my student support center and the notice that I no longer do support by email. Some email providers block or delete autoresponders, but I have no other way to let folks know those email addresses are closed.
You still have the full course access, all your lessons you paid for are there, and if you will go to student support and describe the problem you’re having, I will fix it.
Cheerfully,
Holly
Reply ↓
I have been having problems also. I can’t get past lesson 4 in the outline course. Can anyone help me?
Hi, Sally,
Go to Student Support and let me know what sort of trouble you’re having. Make SURE you type your email address correctly in the ticket form.
Cheerfully,
Holly
So exciting!! Looking forward to the new version. It comes at a perfect time because I am re-dedicating myself to my writing. I am using your “how to beat writer’s block” program which is helping a lot.
That’s wonderful. Thanks, Holly.
Thanks Holly! Going extra miles for your students is one of many reasons you’re such a great teacher.
We never stop learning our craft with your help!
Thanks for all you do!
I bought all the HTTS lessons and a membership to the HTTS forums, so I pretty much have access to everything. Will I be able to upgrade to the Ultra at no cost?
Hi, Bethany.
No. But you’ll get a huge discount. With all lessons plus Premium access, you’ll save around $240. The full version of HTTS, which I initially wasn’t going to make available again, includes the lessons, worksheets, downloads, and forums you got, but it also includes:
I’ll make sure you get something wonderful for the upgrade price.
Thanks Holly you rock and thank you for your wonderful lessons you have taught me techniques that I thought I could never learn any other way and I thank you for giving me the biggest confidence boast ever.
That’s really cool of you Holly, thanks.
😀 You’re welcome.
Dear Holly, you are the coolest teacher on Earth. I am really happy to see you spreading the joy and having a good time doing what you dream for you. I am your fan and supporter. A huge hug from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Thanks, Lucas. And nice to see you again.
Thank you so much! It’s always amazing to me that you’re so busy, yet you always think about us, the students.
I have a 6 month old son, so I haven’t had the time to do much writing, but now I’m even more excited to get back to my HTTS lessons!
It has always been my objective to create a course that got better and deeper with time—and to make sure my earliest students didn’t get left behind by changes in publishing, or in techniques I’ve discovered since I created the first part.
Thank you for taking the course. I’ll work hard to keep it worthwhile for you.
I got into the HTTS course a few years ago and was really impressed with how much value you gave your students. That was enough to keep me a lifelong fan and customer, but then you just kept adding to the course and updating it and making it better and you did it all without ever asking me for anything in return. Holly, you provide the best courses anywhere, ever. I hope I can pay you back someday.