“The intimate class size allows for interaction with the instructor as well as your classmates. We were all able to learn from each other. Tim’s teaching style is laid back and he makes learning fun.” K.K.

“Very open to questions from students. Very knowledgeable about the subject matter.” P.S.

I will be in Knoxville, Tennessee in mid-March for their annual Art Xtravaganza. Several original works from the children’s exhibit here at AnAuthor World will be on sale during the three day event. A percentage of the funds will benefit the artist in residence program at Webb School, a program I was privileged to participate in this past fall. It will be good to see my friends at Webb again! Hopefully I’ll return with a smaller illustration exhibit.

“Wow, just like real school! First off- thank you so much for allowing me to be your first virtual student! You are a wonderful teacher. Very patient, very detailed (for those of us who need step by step),
always available, and I so appreciate that you answered all of my questions and even emailed me when I picked your brains. I have to say-I learned ALOT!! And loved working in Illustrator. I was also trying to write it down so I can refer back. It was a great and informative class. I was quite proud of my little star guy! You make a great teacher ;0)”
Sharon Lane Holm

You now have a choice for long distance learning: Skype or DimDim

Tim has been using DimDim successfully in his class, but I haven’t had a chance yet to use it. I’m very excited about the possibilities it provides both the teacher and the student.

I have an advanced student who is living in Maryland now and wants to continue taking classes. So, last week I tried Skype and we had a successful class meeting! It was great seeing her “in person” again. The rest of the class members enjoyed hearing her comments during our discussions. I had tried Skype once before with a woman in Canada, and the problem I had with it was a weak internet connection here in Greenville. But now, that has changed! You can now DimDim or Skype!

So, if you don’t live in the Greenville area and still want to take classes from us, just let us know and we can set you up through DimDim or through Skype. It will be like sitting in the classroom with us. You’ll be able to participate in all ways, and yet stay home in your pajamas (or whatever). Heh.

Despite a few technical difficulties, we have successfully completed our first class using DimDim to provide interactive access to a remote student. Sharon Holm, from Connecticut, joined seven of us in the AnAuthor World classroom for the first session of Digital Illustration, Part 1. We had consistent audio interaction and the ability to share our screen with her. Only video streaming seemed to create a problem at times. Thankfully, that is not a necessary part of the instruction–only a way to satisfy Sharon’s curiousity about what her classmates look like!

The class will continue through January, with part 2 beginning in February. Throughout, we’ll focus on learning how to tap into the illustrating power of both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Let us help you keep those promises to yourself!

1) Lose Weight — While we might not be able to help you lose physical weight (unless you count the sweat from your brow as you concentrate on your writing), we CAN help you cut excess words from your short story or picture book. We can help you tighten your prose and overall edit your work so that it’s slim and trim and attractive. We promise that our classes are always free of calories, carbs, and fat (unless someone brings Christmas cookies).

2) Get in Shape — We can help you flex your writing muscles and tone up your fiction. Perhaps the marathon you want to run is in finishing your novel. We can be your personal trainers in the world of publishing. We’re pretty good at cracking the whip and making you drop and do 10 pages. Homework and in-class exercises will make your body of work muscular and full of energy.

3) Finances — Although we can’t guarantee publication or wealth or fame (no one can do that), we can guarantee that our classes will help you improve your craft. We want the same goal as you: to see your story in print someday. So we’ll encourage you and prod you and motivate you along the road to publication…and perhaps financial gain. And we promise that we’ll try to keep the prices of our classes and conferences as low as possible so that they won’t take a big bite out of your wallet.

4) Write that story that I’ve been meaning to do — You know that story that’s been rattling around in your head for maybe years? Well, let us help you get it down on paper. Once it’s on paper, we can work with it, smoothing out wrinkles, shaping it, feeding it, loving it, getting it into shape. And you never know where that story will lead you! It could multiply and turn into many stories! It could lead you down paths you never dreamed of before! It could free up space in your brain for that commercial jingle that you can’t stop humming! Our classes are full of information, interaction, and lots of fun. We’ll help you do a story transplant, moving it from your head to your computer, and we won’t even use any sharp knives (unless there’s also cake involved — see Resolution #1).

If you’re in the Greenville area, sign up for our classes and join us in our studio. If you’re not close by, you can still join us! Tim has found a way, using dimdim, to have online classes. We’re growing, and we’d love for you to join us. You can email either me at pam.zollman@gmail.com or Tim at tim@timdaviscreations.com if you have any questions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. an email address
2. a decent speed internet connection (no dial-up)
3. a microphone that works with your computer
4. headphones that can plug into your computer

Through dimdim, we can share images from our screen, share websites in real time, or use an interactive whiteboard. Students will hear live audio from class and can also receive video. They can also ask questions or share comments.

We’ll give it a shot with our first digital illustration class starting next week. If you’re interested we’ll run a test with you first.

Pam and her 9-month-old granddaughter Aida

I pray that amid the hustle and bustle, the eating good food, the opening of presents, the family and friends and fellowship…that we all remember that Jesus is the reason for this season. He is the Christ in Christmas.

I hope your day is wonderful!

Have a very merry Christmas!