The Special Interview Page Insert

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The official Newspaper of the A-1 Writing Academy

         Each issue of our Newspaper will have a very special interview with a person who, in the opinion of The Friends of the Academy (FOTA), is important to the success of the A-1 Writing Academy.

Many people contribute significantly to the success of our Academy on a daily basis. These people usually do not seek, nor feel comfortable being, "in the spotlight". But we believe it is very important for the members, friends, students, faculty and staff of the A-1 Writing Academy to know a little bit about those WDC members who make our work matter.

There cannot be a more important person to grace this page for our Premiere Issue. While she is one of two founders of our Academy, it has been her relentless efforts over the past 17 months which have brought us to where we are today.

Her work has, for the most part, been quietly powerful. Her vision for our Academy has never wavered. With each new student, her work is rewarded. With every course graduate, her work has been validated. Her influence has spread through every student to our Academy. We believe this work has been very good.

The Friends of the Academy (FOTA) are pleased to present to you this very special interview with the Founder of the A-1 Writing Academy, deborahowen .

A Very Special Interview :

The A-1 Writing Academy Founder, deborahowen

September 1, 2007



FOTA: Where did you grow up? What is your daily life like? What other hobbies/interests do you have?

I was born on September 6, 1941, in Indianapolis, Ind., at the age of zero. Unremarkable, unless you compare it to Chinese aging – in which case I would have turned two on January of the next year.

My brother, Paul, was four years older. We lived in Indianapolis all of our lives, and it remains my homeport today. I say “homeport” because we live in a 38-foot Damon Ultrasport RV (motor home), with two slide-out rooms. My first husband and I sold our house to our son in 1994 and then we traveled all over the USA. (Come to think of it, he’s my only husband – 48 years this December.)

We’ve seen all of God’s natural beauty many times over, and it never ceases to amaze us. Thankfully, we lived the Life of Riley for five years plus, but were called home to care for our ailing mothers 17 months ago. *Cabin fever*

Most people think of things like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, and they are beautiful, to be sure. But if you want to see something equally spectacular, scamper over to the Texans' Big Bend National Park. Watch the multiple thousands of cacti blooming every day, majestic and glorious. Big flowers. Teeny weeny flowers. Monstrous Yucca plants that look they could eat you. (20 ft., give or take a little.) The best time to visit is during March or April. The desert is both awesome and deadly. Expect temperatures of 90-100 degrees. (VERY hot on the sand, except during mornings and evenings.)

When we weren’t driving to ghost towns or old mines, you would find us hiking, picnicking, or petting horses that were fenced next to the road. The memory of those places and my heavenly Father are what sustain me today.


FOTA: How/why did you first become active in WDC? What were your goals?

If you want the full answer of how I came to WDC, please read my article on the CEO page. Here is the shorter version:

Writing was not new to me when I found WDC. I had been published numerous times in various newspapers, reporting everything from accidents to odd events. I had the privilege of writing for The Torch (a newspaper for WW I vets), and for The American Legion’s 75th anniversary edition in 1994. After that, I stopped submitting. Why? Because I didn’t think anything could equal my experience with the Legion.

I took online courses over the next several years, learning all I could, and thirsting for more. Then came the fall of 2005, when I did a Dogpile search for “writing.” Guess what popped up? Writing.com. It was everything I had ever wanted, and for the first time in my life, I found real roots and real friends.

At the time, my only goal was to improve my writing skills, but that soon changed.


FOTA: Where and how did the idea for A-1 Writing Academy begin?

Six weeks later, I was filled with such awe and wonder, I had to find a way to pay back. I noticed an absence of an organized school, and thus the idea was born. I had a rating of two at the time. I didn’t know how to create links or sort mail into boxes, but the determination of a school grew more persistent every day.

CrumbledCookie was my first dear friend on this site, and when I tried the idea out on her, she resounded with, “Of course you can do it! And I’ll help you.” I would own it. She and I would brainstorm it. And she created it.

We launched on April 9, 2006, at 9:30 AM WDC time, as The Creative Writing Forum. We offered five prose classes and two poetry classes. Without Cookie, there would have been no Creative Writing Forum, which was our first name. We graduated to "Invalid Item"  in the winter, and haven’t slowed down since. Now we see the NEW "Invalid Item"  preparing to launch on October 1, 2007, and it’s all I ever dreamed of.

It will be comparable to larger online writing schools, touting 12-week classes, prerequisites, qualifications, nine new courses, advanced genre classes, technical work, literary analysis, and much more. It is my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but in many ways, it’s only the beginning.


FOTA: What has/have been your greatest challenge(s) as Founder/CEO of the Academy?

One thing would certainly be the continuing, never-ending changes. They keep me on my toes.

Another is keeping staff. Finding and keeping personnel has been our number one problem since our inception. Writing students want to learn, but most are too busy to pursue their dream. We browse for prospective teachers and, ofttimes, they have no idea we’re checking their ports. I think every prospective teacher who has been approached has said, “Teaching? Who? Me?”

My staff and I have discovered dozens of master writers, but they are usually too busy to teach. Good writers usually make good teachers. They may not have the needed confidence, but they can learn everything they need to know in three or four weeks. Most people don’t recognize their teaching talents because they haven’t tried them out, but once they catch the vision, they’re off and running the marathon. We have a great staff who gives of themselves, unselfishly and sacrificially.

Another problem has been finances. The school has always needed backing to develop more courses, hire more teachers, associate teachers, and content providers for The Block Party, etc. We also need GPs for scholarships, contests, awards, etc. Keeping a lid on the budget is a daily practice.


FOTA: What are your greatest successes as Founder/CEO of the Academy?

When I see any student transform from introvert to extrovert, little or no self-esteem to good self-esteem, an average writer to a good writer, or from sad to happy, it’s a humongous success! I love people, and my heart goes out to each one on a personal basis.

I’ve tutored several students free of charge; but unfortunately, I have little or no time for that now. Instead, they can do as well by taking Academy courses. They’ll get a more well-rounded education that way.

Maybe you’d like to hear about Academy failures, too. Hey! We’re human!! Our errors have been numerous. After all, I’ve never owned a school before. Most of the difficulties were caused by inexperience, and several were failed experiments.

Not enough teachers for classes (A burning desire is what we’re looking for more than anything else, because some courses are already written.) (Progressing well now)

No Associate Teachers (Progressing well now)

Classes overly large (Progressing well)

Allowing students to do more than two lessons a week (It overburdened the teacher, and the students rolled too fast to absorb the material.) (Corrected)

Not seeking financial supporters much sooner (Progressing well)

Spreading myself and my staff way too thin (Plans in progress for teachers and staff. Bud and I, however, are addicted.)

Inability to find sufficient staff (Progressing. Many openings available: teachers, associate teachers, reporters, editorial staff, more graphics people to make certificates, etc. WANTED: Person with advertising experience. Some of these are short-term jobs that require only willingness and reliability. Others require talent. Qualifications for all positions: Willingness to learn and comply, social ease, answer emails promptly and, most importantly, AVAILABILITY.)

Being on the defensive (in the beginning), instead of going on the offensive

My inability to delegate work and give up control (Well, it was my baby! But no longer. The Academy has now taken its own form, separate from my identity, thanks to Budroe -- He shooed me out of the kitchen. )

Not enough supervision over the prose department

And, on a more serious note, I made one more very big mistake when I first came on WDC: I questioned how things were done. In short, I had an attitude. Looking back, I see my impudence, and I’m ashamed.

I have asked myself, “Could I do better? Could anyone?” I think not. This is the best writing site on the net today, and the "Invalid Item"  and its staff are honored to serve in such a community.


FOTA: The Academy has undergone many changes since the beginning. How have those changes impacted your job as the Chief Executive Officer?

In the beginning, I was teacher, administrator, tutor, site designer, bookkeeper, and "Dear Abby", with magnificent ideas. As the school grew, it required more staff, and the teachers began to take over part of my relationships with the students, which was their function. It took some time to get used to.

Then, when I hired an administrator in winter 2006, it spaced us out even farther, as the entire school is now under the Administrator’s division.

That has been the hardest part of progress.

I love my students and I’m honored to serve them, but I’m forced to shift my mind to other matters. Now I focus on advertising, marketing, contests, and other external duties, while Bud has all the fun! (And works himself to death.) And what a marvelous job he does!

It makes me sad, but that’s the price of the dream. Nothing comes without a price tag.


FOTA: What do you think are the greatest achievements/accomplishments of the Academy, so far?

Without a doubt, the quick answer is the development I see in the students. Nothing else gives me that kind of pleasure.

At present, literally dozens of "Invalid Item"  students have been published for the first time, and we have turned out two reporters for newspapers. I’m at the top of my world with aspiring, willing-to-learn writers.


FOTA: What do you think are the most significant challenges of the Academy going into the future?

I wouldn’t call this a challenge, but rather a blessing that I want to mention. We are partnering with The Rising Stars to form a scholarship program for some of their people. This has been brewing for several weeks now, and it’s ironing out very nicely. Bud and Gabriella are finalizing plans now.

The Invalid Item  and Rising Stars are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship that will benefit all of WDC.

Now, the question was, what are some significant challenges in our future. I don’t think we do anything without it being a significant challenge. It’s all trial and error.

The Invalid Item  is getting very complicated these days. Char brought automated surveys to our site, along with organization. She made , applications, databases, FAQs, forms, handbooks, and I can’t remember what all. She fell ill several weeks ago, and could not continue in that capacity, although she will be teaching in the upcoming semester. Budroe kindly consented to fill the office, and he picked up where Char left off, guiding us through the mire of paper work. He finds solutions for difficulties and is moving us forward in the Community eye. I admire him tremendously. He is more than capable of doing the job, and we work together well.

Char's and Bud’s talents have advanced us these past 10 months and have catapulted us to a respectable place on the WDC map. In fact, they have written such a new face on the Academy doors that I no longer understand all of the system. It’s the beginning of the NEW Invalid Item .

I find it difficult to let go of the old ways, but I know my limitations. I’m not sure where we will go from here. Sometimes I see it clearly. Other times, when I’m this fatigued, I see nothing but a vision of a bed. I’m sure of one thing, though. Bud knows the way through the wilderness. He, and many other extremely talented staff members, will make this school grow. The Lord has always brought us wonderful people for this great cause.


FOTA: What one thing about the Academy would you like every member to know?

Students, one and all, past, present and future – YOU are the founders of Invalid Item . You are now, and you will always be, individuals to me, and to Invalid Item  We commit ourselves to the furtherance of WDC, and to every student’s education.

This is a dollar-free Academy. Use it. Enjoy it. Reach for your dream.

You can DO it!



FOTA: Is there anything you would like to add?

Nope. I’m done. My fingers are bleeding on the keyboard.

Love to all, and thanks for reading this column.

deborahowen



         The Friends of the Academy (FOTA) wish to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to Ms. Deb for her willingness to go "against her nature" and agree to this special interview. For all who know her, Ms. Deb was the obvious choice for our first very special interview. Thank you.


If you know of someone who you feel should be highlighted on this page, please email the page editor or Budroe is Blessed! and request an interview. Please include your reasons why you believe your nominee should be highlighted on this page. We will let you know when your nominee's interview is scheduled.

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