Contributed by Tina Holland.

As a full-time writer, I’ve learned that education isn’t something you finish—it’s something you return to. Again and again.

Not in a rigid, back-to-school kind of way, but in small, intentional moments. A class between drafts. A video while folding laundry. A rabbit hole of research that sparks a new story idea.

For me, learning is part of the rhythm of writing.

I rarely study craft in the middle of a project—I like to trust my instincts when I’m drafting—but between stories? That’s where growth happens. That’s where I stretch, experiment, and sometimes surprise myself.

Continuing education doesn’t have to mean a formal classroom. These days, it can look like a lesson on MasterClass, a workshop on Skillshare, or a deep dive through YouTube tutorials. And if you’re on a budget (aren’t we all at times?), your local library can be an incredible, often overlooked resource.

A few years ago, I took a free course through North Dakota Humanities on female Regency authors. I went in expecting a refresher on Jane Austen… and came out with a whole new appreciation for voices I hadn’t explored before.

That’s the magic of staying curious—you never quite know what will shift.

Education, as a creative practice, isn’t about mastery. It’s about momentum. It’s about staying open. Letting new ideas filter in and gently reshape how you see your work—and yourself as a creator.

I think of it as a quiet ritual. A way of refilling the well.

And so, I’ll keep learning. Not because I have to—but because I want to see where it leads next.

What’s something new you’ve learned lately that surprised or inspired you?