Writing Wednesday - Grown-up Curriculum Trend

Ok...

I am a total advocate of the need to continue to 'learn', regardless of age. 

I'm not talking about sitting in a class room (although I could be a full time college student if I had the dollars). I'm talking about the current trend of creating a 'curriculum' to study topics you are interested in throughout the year. 

With most schools starting in or about the first of September, it is all over YouTube - videos on people creating their own study plan on topics they are interested in learning. They set up reading lists on the topic or topics they are studying for a month or three months. They even set themselves tasks of writing essays on the topic.

I applaud them.

While I know dementia and Alzheimer's are an actual biological issue, I do feel there may be, for some people, a component of their brain not being used. They have zero curiosity about the world around them. I believe in the old 'use-it-or-lose-it' idea with the brain. Whether it's reading, doing puzzles of all kinds, going deeper into hobbies, using your brain needs to take place.

So...

No, technically I am not setting up a curriculum for the fall. However, I am revisiting three books to get more motivated. I still haven't found my feet and establishing a routine. Getting there, but still not where I can feel I am 'in-the-groove'. 

There are 3 books I am basically rereading - 

I am getting ready to work on Q4 and plans for 2026. With all the positions I am holding outside the house with volunteer organizations, plus the craft events I want to fit in, I have a need to feel I have my ducks in a row. 

Hopefully, rereading The 12 Week Year For Writers will get me in the mode of making a task list and getting things done.

I read this book several years ago. With Prep-tober coming up in October and the Rough Draft challenge in November, AND me saying I am going to get a completed rough draft finished and on paper, I am going to see how I can use the tips in this book to get a finished rough draft of Seven Deadly Murders by the end of the years.

And finally...

I started this book in 2021 when it was published. Now I need to start from page 1 and read the book. If nothing else I will get it off my 'reading' list on Goodreads!

The highlighters, page flags and notebooks are being pulled out. Of course, my fiction reading will continue. After all Carl and Princess Donut need my help making it through the dungeon crawl!